July 9, 2011

Twirl

My Personal Photo
My Personal Photo
My Personal Photo

My Personal Photo


Peter Soronen lace blouse, Azzedine Alaïa wrap skirt, Manolo Blahnik  pumps.
There are few designers that make you want to twirl. Azzedine Alaïa is one of them. It's undeniable that  Alaïa is one of the greatest couturiers today. The other day my friends and I came to the conclusion that his technical, draping and cutting skills are up there with the likes of Christian Dior. If you could have one designer design all your clothing (or at the very least your shoes), you would want it to be Alaïa. The silhouettes are always gorgeous.

Undeniably, Alaïa excels with the construction of his signature knit dresses. In my opinion there isn't a designer out there who works with knits in such a way. Some of his knit dresses barely resemble knits. I'm always awestruck by the way Alaïa  garments truly make women look beautiful. His clothing always strikes the right note- sensual and oftentimes clingy, but never vulgar. There is a misconception that Alaïa's garments are unforgiving. Truthfully, Alaïa's garments magically flatter all body types. This is the mark of a designer who loves women and making them look and feel even more beautiful than they already are.

Alaïa doesn't strive to fit into the corporate structure that fashion thrives on. Barneys was the first New York department store to stock the full line and Bergdorfs and Saks only started stocking select pieces a few years ago. It's no coincidence that Alaïa's boutique is located in a different area from the other names in international fashion. This is a designer who until yesterday had not presented a collection at a fashion show in years. Alaïa prefers to work at his own pace. There is an integrity to the way  he approaches his business. It's hard to define luxury today, but this sort of craftsmanship and attention to detail are determining factors to me.  

An entire Paris trip should not be spent shopping (there is so much to do and see), but a trip to the Alaïa boutique is essential. On my last trip to Paris I picked up a few pieces including this skirt. Alaïa's boutique, stock shop, design studio and atelier are all housed in close proximity to each other. Naturally, upon descending from a taxi (accidentally leaving the door ajar), I sprinted ahead of the gentleman who wasn't exactly sure which building I rushed into. Oh the excitement!

The skirt has one inside clasp, wraps around the waist and buckles at the back. I have yet to successfully wrap this skirt as precisely as the lovely sales assistant, but I still love it. There's a lightness that adds just the right amount of whimsy. Any motion or little breeze sets the skirt aflutter. This skirt is a great little edition to my wardrobe that is extremely versatile, but feels special.

PS- As old fashioned as I am, the blog finally has a Twitter! Cheers.

20 comments:

  1. You have such a good eye for skirts! Nothing will ever be as amazing as the first one I saw but this comes close behind. Gorgeous!

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  2. Joy- Thanks Joy! I'm always on the lookout for skirts. They are one of my favorite things.

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  3. Beautiful!! And I love how the colour of your shoes sets of the outfit so well.

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  4. Oh, that is am amazing skirt indeed. Great catch, Lindsay :) Which reminds me, I need to look up the photos from the runway show!

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  5. Olivia- Thank you. I love the color of those shoes too. They definitely make black and navy pop.

    Maja Piraja- Thanks! Oh yes, you do need to look at the runway show. I'm glad Alaïa is showing couture again. Everything in his RTW collections is handmade, so it sort of lends itself to him reinstating his couture collection.

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  6. Such a gorgeous piece and you look lovely in it :)

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  7. Ammu- Thank you! I absolutely could not leave this skirt behind- so gorgeous. Hope you're having a good weekend!

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  8. Prêt à Porter P- I agree. The structure and volume of Alaïa is really amazing. I really enjoy looking at how the garments are constructed.

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  9. i DIE! love everything about this post.. the movement from your skirt, the fact that it's an alaia skirt!!! and your gorgeous lace top.. all of it amazing!

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  10. Lisa- Thank you. I have such a weakness for all things Alaïa not to mention LACE! I just can't get enough...

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  11. Wow. I have always admire what I see of his work - I love how it seems extravagant and rigorous at the same time. I feel like to own something by him is to have in your hands a piece of his imagination and vision - and there are so few designers you can say that about these days. You look terrific, you wear skirts so well!

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  12. Lin- Thank you! I agree with you. Every piece he designs feels so special. You can really feel that he puts so much time and creativity into everything he designs. I wish more designers created in this manner.

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  13. Ooooh preeeeetty! Definitely something you could not leave in the store. I am also a sucker for skirts with movement to them. the swoosh and flutter of a well cut skirt is insanely sexy.

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  14. La Fille mal Gardée- Swoosh is the perfect word for it. A skirt with a bit of movement always catches my eye. I agree- so sexy!

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  15. LOVE the playful posting, Lindsay! This skirt looks stunning on you.

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  16. Tricia- Thank you! It is a playful post;)

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  17. That skirt is something absolutely amazing and beautiful! It's a dream!

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  18. Ginta- You are so sweet. I think every girl needs a piece that makes her dream!

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  19. You have Alaïa?? I'm really jealous! I really want a piece from AA!!!

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  20. THE LINE SHEET- Yes! I have a few pieces by Alaïa and I truly see them as collector's pieces. They're so special. I purchased all of my AA pieces in Paris.

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