Azzedine Alaïa's Paris Atelier Opens as Museum Until August 2023

The Fondation Azzedine Alaïa, directed by Olivier Saillard and inaugurated on February 26, 2023 (Alaïa's birth date), has transformed the late couturier's historic atelier into a museum open to the public until August 2023. Located at 18 Rue de la Verrerie in the Marais district of Paris, the 4,000-square-meter complex comprises several buildings purchased and renovated by Alaïa in 1987. Since his death in 2017, the space has remained unchanged, preserving the atmosphere where he worked and created garments often likened to works of art or high craftsmanship. The foundation describes it as 'the place most imbued with the memory of Monsieur Alaïa,' where every corner tells the story of both the couturier and the man. The atelier houses treasures from his life, including photographs and memories of his muses such as Tina Turner, Naomi Campbell, Carla Sozzani, Michelle Obama, and Shakira. Visitors can explore his studio and imagine him working day and night, fitting the world's most beautiful models. Azzedine Alaïa (Tunis, 1935 – Paris, 2017) arrived in Paris in 1956, working for Dior under Yves Saint Laurent before opening his own atelier in his Marais apartment. He attracted numerous celebrities as clients, suspended fashion shows in 1995 to focus on creativity, and in 2020 the book 'Taking Time' was published, collecting his thoughts on popular culture, design, fashion, and art.