Alaïa's Resurrection

Co-curated by the late designer, during the months that lead up to his death in November 2017, Azzedine Alaïa: The Couturier, the exhibition, offers an ornate and elegant eulogy honoring his impactful career, with a display of 60 magnificent pieces spanning the voluminous structuring of his 80’s flamenco dresses to the awe-inspiring construction at the core of his 2011 collection. 

From the “zipper” dress worn by Naomi Campbell in 1987, to the purple hooded dress dawned by the infamous Grace Jones, this exhbit not only pays homage to the peices themselves, but the bold and sexy atmophere of coutour that surrounded Alaia, his collaborators and the women he dressed.

And the exhbiit is filled with collaborations. Long time friends Marc Newson and Kris Ruhs, were happy to design the backdrops to the dresses: 33 feet high bronze metallic planks. One installation, projected on an expansive screen, drawings of Alaia’s pieces by Christoph von Weyhe, Alaia’s life partner, present a powerful, personal, and artistic nod to the designer's creative influence and contribution to the industry that will remain with the viewer long after leaving the museum. Long live Alaia. 

Azzedine Alaïa: The Couturier will be on view May 10 until October 7, 2018, at the Design Museum, London.

• Exhibition images courtesy of Mark Blower, archival images courtesy of Arthur Elgort, archival portrait courtesy of Peter Lindbergh.