Medium: Green acetate knit

Date: Winter 1986

Country: France

Credit: Gift of Azzedine Alaia In Memory of Arthur Englander

This “Mermaid” dress covers the figure literally from head to toe, while the zipper that wraps around it ensures an exact fit and demonstrates Azzedine Alaïa’s talent for construction. The clinging, unforgiving knit fabric strongly reflects the fitness-crazed 1980s’ preoccupation with slim, flawless figures. Alaïa trained as a sculptor at the École des Beaux Arts in Tunis, and his knowledge of the human form is intrinsic to his figure-revealing clothing.

Object Number: 87.3.2