COLLECTION: SPRING-SUMMER 2021
The attention to decorative details that distinguish this collection can be traced to Azzedine Alaïa’s personal and meaningful attachment to Africa. From his childhood in Tunisia to the art and costumes he collected fondly over decades, African referencing attested to pride in his heritage and his deep engagement in Africa’s history. The application of ropes, raffias, feathers, shells and leopard printed fabrics that were part of his ongoing, creative universe have reappeared as contemporary and decorative couture work. While silhouettes suggest timeless sensuality, surface treatments speak to a combination of artisanal and innovative techniques.
From Saharan-inspired cuts to fringe woven through knits, the collection shifts between crisp and tactile, each look in dialogue with the body. An earthy palette is punctuated with vivid red, accents of gold, and a deep brown that evokes the hue of African sculpture. An overall sense of freshness wafts through the collection, as the season’s airy volumes conjure the warm breeze of summer with a vision of new horizons, near and far.
