Azzedine Alaïa passes away at 77

CAIRO – 18 November 2017: World-renowned fashion designer Azzedine Alaïa, has passed away at the age of 77 due to heart failure. The French-Tunisian couturier was an inspiration and an icon to fashion lovers around the globe.

While his parents were both farmers, his sister and a family friend were the first to ignite his love for fashion. He even lied about his age to enroll in École des Beaux-Arts in Tunis. In 1957, he moved to Paris and worked as a tailor at Christian Dior, only to open his very own fashion house in the 1970’s that catered to private clients. Ten years later he would release his first ready-to-wear collection and would soon become a body-con and structure icon while dressing some of the greatest fashion influencers in the world, including Grace Jones, Tina Turner, Madonna, Lady Gaga, Janet Jackson and Michelle Obama.

Heartbroken to hear that AzzedineAlaïa, one of the most influential couturiers in fashion history, has passed away at 77. pic.twitter.com/ZlRq0HU0wR

— M2M (@m2m) November 18, 2017

Known as a fashion industry outcast, Alaïa never stuck to the fashion calendar and always created his collections at his own pace. Alaïa was nicknamed “The King of Cling” due to the beautiful outcome his creations would have when worn, as they “fit like a glove”. From evening dresses to knits and leather, Alaïa knew how to create, construct and tailor wearable artworks that would complement every woman’s body and empower.

AzzedineAlaia during the installation of the exhibition "ALAIA Couture/Sculpture" at Galleria Borghese in Rome. Photo by @montassaralaia @azzedinealaiaofficial @galleriaborghese #azzedinealaiaofficial#azzedinealaia#galleriaborghese

A post shared by AzzedineAlaïa (@azzedinealaiaofficial) on Oct 9, 2017 at 12:57pm PDT

François-Henri Pinault, Kering's chairman and chief executive, told BoF, "It is with great sadness that I learned of the passing of Azzedine Alaïa. In the fashion world, he was a great and major couturier. Everything was at the top with him: couture, art, the standards he aimed at, his dedication to his work, his mastering of techniques, and all the women he dressed. He was an artisan in the noble sense of the term, and a man fiercely attached to his freedom. He was a friend."

AzzedineAlaïa, and MariaCarlaBoscono wearing a silk chiffon and studded leather ALAÏA Haute Couture A/W 2017 gown AzzedineAlaïa, photographed by Paolo Roversi for Madame Figaro, styled by Carlyne Cerf de Dudzeele, hair by Julien d’Ys.

A post shared by AzzedineAlaïa (@azzedinealaiaofficial) on Nov 11, 2017 at 5:18am PST

Alaïa will always be remembered in fashion as the designer that created to his own rhythm, while blocking out the noise of the industry.

Remembering a moment with the genius AzzedineAlaia, a true fashion visionary. #RIP#AzzedineAlaia
🎥 by @VforValeriopic.twitter.com/9Yx2mk1trf

— NOWFASHION (@NOWFASHION) November 18, 2017