Unveiling Azzedine Alaïa’s story before his milestone 1982 show, this book offers a never-before-seen look into one of fashion’s most enigmatic icons.

Azzedine Alaïa (1935–2017) was regarded as a contemporary fashion genius. Edited by his closest friend, Carla Sozzani, this new volume presents an unprecedented view into Alaïa’s early life and career, from his native Tunisia and 1956 arrival in Paris to his breakthrough 1982 New York show.
 
From apprenticeships to encounters with Paris’s creative and society crowds, this book pays homage to Alaïa’s evolution. Chronological chapters depict a designer devoted to his work while enjoying friendships with such individuals as Arletty, Louise de Vilmorin, César, Andrée Putman, and Thierry Mugler. Quotes by Alaïa accompany gorgeous photographs of iconic dresses and lesser-known designs, providing captivating stories behind the inspirations for his creations. Interviews share intimate anecdotes from Serge Lutens, Edgar Morin, Carlyne Cerf de Dudzeele, Marie Rucki, and more. Accompanying an exhibition at the Azzedine Alaïa Foundation, this unique publication delves into rare archival materials, private photographs, and prominent publications to powerfully illustrate the fascinating journey of a fashion legend.
 

Carla Sozzani cofounded the Azzedine Alaïa Foundation and is its president. Laurence Benaïm is the author of Women in Dior: Portraits of Elegance and Yves Saint Laurent: A Biography. She created the style supplement for Le Monde and has contributed to Vogue and Marie Claire. Emanuele Coccia is an Italian philosopher and associate professor at EHESS in Paris. Olivier Saillard is a French historian specializing in fashion and director of the Azzedine Alaïa Foundation.