The works of Azzedine Alaïa

The Foundation's mission is to perpetuate the work and the philosophy of Azzedine Alaïa through the conservation, the preservation, the archiving, the promotion and exhibition to the public of the collections of garments, accessories, sketches, designs, drawings and other objects belonging to the foundation and that constitute the body of creative work of Azzedine Alaïa.

Azzedine Alaïa, curator at heart, carefully preserved all of his work since the beginning of his career beneath the historic vaults located underneath the buildings that stretch from the rue de la Verrerie to the rue de Moussy. It was his secret cavern where no one was permitted to enter. Covering some 800 square meters, with grand volumes, almost 4 meter high ceilings, and dozens of red brick pillars and metal beams, this space which for a time was used as a warehouse for the Bazar de l’Hôtel de Ville, supports the entire building: exhibition halls with the large glass roof whose courtyard façade surmounted by a stone pediment is a listed historic monument, the atelier of Monsieur Alaïa and his private apartments.

This immense space at 18 rue de la Verrerie bore witness to the incessant comings and goings of the couturier who would come to deposit there, year after year, his collections. It has become the memory, the sanctuary and it will remain the guardian of a life’s work.

22,000 pieces of clothing and accessories, preserved by Azzedine Alaia over the seasons that he has sculpted to sublimate women since the 1960s.

With the support of the Richemont group, the Foundation undertakes in 2020 important renovation works to meet the standards for preventative conservation as defined by the laws dating January 4th 2002 relative to the museums of France. The space will be air-conditioned and equipped with high-performance water infiltration detection systems and fire safety systems with extinction devices.

Composed of three spaces located at different altitudes and connected by staircases in a volume of 1000m², the project articulates the creation of an archive dedicated to the personal collection of the fashion designer Azzedine Alaïa. The space is compartmentalised in order to provide the necessary conditions for the archiving of textile works. Mobile "compactus" cabinets are being implemented to house approximately 15,000 items. Within the framework of this renovation, particular attention is being paid to the scenography of this place. The ensemble enhances the existing vaulted ceiling and solid bricks which constitute a remarkable building heritage from the end of the 19th century.