HISTORY OF AZZEDINE ALAIA VINTAGE HANDBAG

HISTORY OF AZZEDINE ALAIA VINTAGE HANDBAG

KOMELY HANDBAG FACTORY

www.komely.com.hk

Azzedine Alaia started his Ladies Handbag line in his own way. Born in Tunisia, Alaia moved to Paris and designed clothes and handbag for exotic dancers at the Crazy Hourse cabaret. He then worked for Thierry Mugler and Guy Laroche and was famously fired from Dior after only five days.

His first handbag collection was shown in 1980 at his Paris apartment, reportedly with no music or even invitations. Even so, the fashion press crammed into the small space and fought over seats, This fervent response is now familiar to this designer who has had a cult following from the start.

The cult of Alaia grew up around a distinct aesthetic from the get go. With the nickname the king of cling, he advocated a body conscious silhouette, from short, tight black bags in stretch jersey to jeweled bustiers and leopard print knits that covered the skin but left little to the imagination.

Even leather pieces were sculpted around the female form, and he used zips around the body to gain the smoothest line.

Alaia now refuses to show as part of the prescribed fashion season and delivers his clothes to stores on his own schedule. It is a testament to his talent and the demand for his bags that the industry allows him to do so.