Azzedine Alaïa Couturier Collectionneur, Palais Galleria

 

Monday morning I went to the preview at PALAIS GALLERIA of designer, Azzedine Alaïa Couturier Collectioneur. 

Alaïa was a passionate collector. It began in 1968 when Cristóbal Balenciaga's house closed, Alaïa was given fabrics and various pieces. 

So the pursuit and obsession begins. 

Alaïa collected more than 20,000 pieces documenting the talent of his predecessors. Mainbocher, Adrian, Claire McCardell (American designers). Alaïa didn’t want French museums to miss out on these names in their collections. Not to forget Chanel, Lanvin, Elsa Schiaparelli, Madeleine Vionnet, Givenchy, Jean Patou, Christian Dior, but also Jean Paul Gaultier, Comme des Garçons, Alexander McQueen, Thierry Mugler & Yohji Yamamoto.

He was a pioneer in the preservation of fashion history.

In 2014, ten years ago, Palais Galliera had an exhibit of Alaïa’s designs.

Now his personal collection is the focus. Every dress has a story. In 1980, Alaïa was in New York putting on a show for Bergdorfs Goodmans. He saw the retrospective exhibit at Brooklyn museum of Charles James (1906-1978) and was fascinated by the complexity of James’ unique patterns. 

Did you see Phantom Thread? It was based somewhat on Charles James life.

Auction houses, the directors of French and American museums were jealous of Alaïa, because he was willing to spend crazy amounts of money to acquire a dress. 

The day Alaïa signed his partnership with Prada, he bought a Paul Poiret (1879-1944) dress for 150,000€. Poiret’s creations freed women from the corset and were inspired by Empire designs.

Alaïa, as a very hands-on designer himself, didn’t want dresses from the past to be relegated to the ashcan.

It took his team five years to unpack, inventory and restore his collection after his death.

The history of fashion is encapsulated in these 140 pieces from Alaïa’s huge collection. If you’re a fashion lover ❤️ don’t miss this seminal exhibit at Palais Galliera on till January 29th. Maybe take a flashlight 🔦 

Going from riches to rags…fashion of another sort.

On Sunday, Solli and I met up at the weekend puce, Porte de Vanves marché. 

Solli is full of good hunting tips, being a weekend regular shopper for her beautiful still lives. The first table at the puce is always overpriced. I was ready to flip over these kitchen canasters.

All the fleas are a good place to find old art books 📚 for a song 🎵 Solli found an old art book on Giuseppe Arcimboldo I could have used last Fall.

This Thursday, September 28, is the opening & slideshow of Solli’s exhibit at Nikon Plaza on rue Raspail. Do sign up (free) if you’re in Paris to attend nikonplazaparis. I

                         🍂 HAPPY FALL DEAR PBers 🍁