A/W 1982 Azzedine ALAÏA First Ready-To-Wear Collection Black Leather Jacket

Throughout his career, the designer sought to perfect his vision of timeless beauty. And “his unique sense of the body and body dressing started an ongoing revolution,” noted Vogue in 1986.

This instantly recognizable and museum-held (Palais Galliera, Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris) leather jacket is from Autumn/Winter 1982, Azzedine Alaïa’s very first ready-to-wear collection and thus a truly special, very rare and collectible piece of fashion history. The collection was officially presented at Bergdorf Goodman in New York in September 1982 and an instant success.

The jacket is made in France from extraordinarily soft and supple black leather and features the signature fitted waist, a low shawl collar and dramatic oversized side hip pockets that continue on the back.

The design has wide sleeves that narrow towards the cuffs with a short zip at the wrist. One chest pocket with a silver coloured zip. The back shows a striking seam detailing. Press stud closure at the front. Fully lined in black acetate. Tagged a French vintage size 40. Runs slightly smaller.

The jacket comes from a couture client and has not been on the market prior to this.

Very good vintage condition. The bottom half of the lining of the left sleeve was replaced by a trained couture seamstress. Not visible from outside.

Shoulders: 49 cm – 19.29″ (dropped seam to seam)
Bust: 90 cm – 35.43″ (under the arms from side seam to side seam)
Waist: 75 cm – 29.53″
Hips: 102 cm – 40.16″
Sleeve length: 61 cm – 24.02″ (measured from real shoulder)
Length: 73 cm – 28.74″

Measurements are taken flat and then doubled for bust, waist and hips.

Approximate Modern Size: S

Reference photos: Fall 1982 Azzedine Alaia Leather Jacket photographed by Horst P. Horst for Vogue Paris November 1982 / Azzedine Alaïa drawings of the first ready-to-wear collection, Autumn/Winter 1982 / Women’s Wear Daily article about the presentation of Alaïa’s first collection at Bergdorf Goodman in New York, September 1982 is / A slightly different twin of our jacket presented at the exhibition “Alaïa Afore Alaïa” 2022/2023 in Paris.