About
Alaïa is a luxury fashion house founded by the late Tunisian designer Azzedine Alaïa. Alaïa's first ready-to-wear collection debuted in 1981, popularizing a stretchy, body-conscious silhouette that emphasized the bust and waist. This signature style earned him the moniker "King of Cling." Before establishing his own label, Alaïa gained experience working for prominent Parisian fashion houses such as Christian Dior, Guy Laroche, and Thierry Mugler. He opened his first atelier in the late 1970s, creating garments for high-society women and later expanding into costume design for opera, ballet, and cabaret. Known for his independent approach to fashion, Alaïa defied conventional schedules, producing collections at his own pace. In 2000, he partnered with the Prada Group before regaining ownership in 2007 and subsequently reaching an agreement with Richemont. Alaïa passed away in Paris in 2017. Pieter Mulier was appointed as the maison's creative director in 2021, continuing the legacy of the brand.