Azzedine Alaïa : Couturier Collectionneur

Exhibition at the Palais Galliera, Paris, 28 September 2023 - 26 January 2024

A demiurge dressmaker and virtuoso cutter, Azzedine Alaïa (1935-2017) developed his technical skills through his deep admiration for the couturiers of the past and long experience of working with his clients.

Alaïa was also a remarkable fashion collector. He began his collection in 1968, after the closure of Balenciaga, from which he recovered precious pieces. Captivated by the study of the Spanish master's haute couture creations, he developed a passion for the history of his own discipline, to the point where he collected more than 20,000 pieces dating from the birth of haute couture at the end of the 19th century to some of its contemporaries. He is the world's largest collector of pieces by some of the most prestigious couturiers, including Worth, Jeanne Lanvin, Jean Patou, Cristóbal Balenciaga, Madame Grès, Paul Poiret, Gabrielle Chanel, Madeleine Vionnet, Elsa Schiaparelli and Christian Dior. Contemporary creations are represented by pieces by Jean Paul Gaultier, Comme des Garçons, Alexander McQueen, Thierry Mugler and Yohji Yamamoto...

Bringing together almost 140 of the most exceptional pieces in Alaïa's collection, this exhibition catalogue traces the history of this collection, which was assembled in the greatest secrecy and was never revealed during his lifetime.