Azzedine Alaïa’s Spring-Summer 1992 collection, currently on display at a Parisian gallery, pays homage to the Marquise de Pompadour, the mistress of Louis XV. The collection, titled “The Secret Alchemy of a Collection,” showcases around forty garments including dresses, suits, and fitted long skirts. This exhibition is a departure from Alaïa’s usual style, as it features a lighter and more whimsical aesthetic inspired by the 18th century. Historian Olivier Saillard, the curator of the exhibition, explains that the collection highlights a different side of Alaïa that is lesser-known to the public.
The exhibition also serves as a reminder of Azzedine Alaïa’s contributions to the fashion industry. The late couturier, who passed away in 2017, not only created his own designs but also amassed a notable collection of garments from other prominent couturiers. This collection, which serves as a fashion museum of sorts, is now being preserved by the Azzedine Alaïa Association.
The Azzedine Alaïa Association, led by Alaïa’s partner Christoph von Weyhe and Italian gallerist Carla Sozzani, now organizes exhibitions twice a year to celebrate the designer’s legacy. The previous exhibition focused on Alaïa’s iconic black and white dresses.
To experience “The Secret Alchemy of a Collection,” head to the gallery located at 18 Rue de la Verrerie in Paris’ 4th arrondissement. The exhibition will be open to the public until January 6, 2019.
Useful links:
– “Intelligent Love: An Azzedine Alaïa Education” – V&A Museum
– “Inside the New Azzedine Alaïa Museum in Paris” – Vogue
