It was often said of him that he was the last of the great couturiers. Azzedine Alaïa , iconic fashion designer, died on November 18 at the age of 77. A fatal news confirmed at the WWD by her friend forever, Carla Sozzani .

Originally from Tunisia, he arrived in Paris in the early 1960s. After a few days of lightning at Dior alongside a freshly named Yves Saint Laurent at the head of the fashion house, the former student of the School of Fine Arts in Tunis learns the basics of confection within Guy Laroche and Thierry Mugler . A training that will lead him quickly to open his own workshop rue Bellechasse.

Sculptural lines, second-skin materials and sublimated slanting cuts: Alaïa's singular style draws its essence from an ultra-fantasy femininity. A daring step that allows her to seduce a popular clientele (it is said that Arletty loves her little black zipped dress) and start her own fashion house in the early 80s.

Surrounded by her clan of Amazons - Farida Khelfa , Grace Jones, Naomi Campbell , Stephanie Seymour and Carla Bruni - the couturier with the black Mao collar conquers the fashion of its architectural silhouettes while imposing its own calendar. As a solo rider, he presents his collections outside the official Fashion Week , making each of his parades a unique event. It is also in 2011 that it will be officially integrated into the very closed circle of Haute Couture houses.

Admired by his peers, he is described as a hard worker who refuses to lend himself to the media game, preferring to focus on the finishing of his dresses as interviews journalists. A reputation that will earn him an unparalleled reputation throughout his career, without having ever invested in a single page of advertising. Following the departure of John Galliano , it is even proposed to take the reins of the house Dior. He refuses, preferring to turn his back on the vertiginous whirlwind of contemporary fashion.

Four months after the last show wreathed sewing success, Alaïa house is now sadly orphaned. It remains to be seen if fashion will succeed in finding him an heir.