Looking Back at Azzedine Alaïa’s Greatest Hits in the Pages of W
Azzedine Alaïa passed away at the age of 82, and leaves behind an unparalleled and unique legacy in fashion. The Tunisian-born designer was perhaps known best for his daring and dramatic body countering dresses that fit as if they were a second skin and his exquisite tailoring. He emerged as a defining designer of the ’80s only to buck the traditional fashion system in the ’90s, forgoing regular shows and moving at his own pace. Even still he remained an influential artist in the industry, and continued to inspire a new generation of designers including the likes Alber Elbaz and Nicolas Ghesquiere. Here, we look back at some of his greatest hits in the pages of W. His creations adorned the likes of Carine Roitfeld, Kate Moss, Tilda Swinton, and even Oprah Winfrey in our pages. Though, his creations were most frequently seen on his close friend Naomi Campbell. She wore his chantilly lace dress on one of her most iconic covers for our June, 2007 issue.
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Naomi loves some Alaïa. Here, the super wears a chantilly lace dress on the cover of the June 2007 issue, and talks about her required community service at the sanitation department — wearing a look that is just a bit less glamorous then wearing Alaïa.
Naomi Campbell in “The Naomi Diaries,” photographed by Steven Klein, styled by Treena Lombardo; W magazine June 2007.
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Mr. Azzedine Alaïa himself graced the pages of W, in the September 2012 issue, shot by Jean-Baptist Mondino, who was one of the friends who attended the designer’s Fall 2016 show last week.
Azzedine Alaïa in “A Cut Above,” photographed by Jean-Baptiste Mondino; W magazine September 2012 (originally 1995).
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“Art and Commerce,” photographed by Inez Van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin, styled by Alex White; W magazine October 2009.
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Mr. Alaïa is revered for body-hugging dresses, but who needs the dress, when you have this vintage body, shot by Craig McDean for a 2008 issue.
“Emotion,” photographed by Craig McDean, styled by Alex White, W magazine October 2008.
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Ryan McGinley’s romantic and blurred image captures the essence of this Alaïa mongolian coat, for the June 2007 issue.
Kate Moss in “Dream Girl,” photographed by Ryan McGinley, styled by Camilla Nickerson; W magazine June 2007.
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Oprah! Creative Fashion Director Edward Enninful commissioned a custom bodysuit, skirt, and belt from Alaïa for this style moment, captured by Juergen Teller for the February 2014 issue of W.
Oprah in “All About Oprah,” photographed by Juergen Teller, styled by Edward Enninful; W magazine February 2014.
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Male model Zhengyang Zhang wears an Azzedine Alaia belt from the Albright Fashion Librar.
Photographs by Steven Meisel, Styled by Edward Enninful
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Fashion editor and stylist Carine Roitfeld wore Azzedine Alaïa Haute Couture’s crocodile print patent-leather jacket and skirt with her one jewelry, hat, and Sergio Rossi shoes for a W shoot in 2011.
Photographer: Paolo Roversi
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A model wears Azzedine Alaïa coat, pants, and shoes for our most recent couture spread.
Photographs by Alasdair McLellan; Styled by Katie Grand
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The designer’s close friend Naomi Campbell wears an Azzedine Alaïa jacket and skirt for a 2013 spread shot in Ghana.
Photographer: Willy Vanderperre Stylist: Edward Enninful
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Supermodel Joan Smalls wears an Azzedine Alaïa black leather jacket and skirt in a 2013 editorial
Photographer: Steven Klein Stylist: Edward Enninful
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Tilda Swinton wears an Azzedine Alaïa top, skirt, and shoes with an Emilio Cavallini bodysuit and Alexander McQueen headpiece.
Photographer: Tim Walker Styled: Jacob K
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Noami Campbell wears an Azzedine Alaïa dress with Gaspar Gloves gloves, Falke socks and Balenciaga shoes from a 2016 editorial
Photograph by Steven Klein, Styled by Edward Enninful
