In 1956, Azzedine Alaïa arrived in Paris, leaving Tunis with nothing but a letter of recommendation in his pocket. From the airport, he went straight to the home of Madame Lévy-Despas, a client of Christian Dior, who found him an internship in the workshops. Alaïa arrived at the legendary atelier on tiptoe on June 25, 1956, but only stayed a few days in the workshops on Rue François 1er. Sometimes life decides otherwise. Nevertheless, the budding couturier harboured boundless admiration for Dior, whose dresses never ceased to fascinate him. Throughout his career, Alaïa’s work remained a silent witness to the youthful impression Dior’s work had made on him. Alaïa was also an inspired and extravagant collector, acquiring over 500 Christian Dior designs throughout his life.

The exhibition Azzedine Alaïa and Christian Dior, Two Masters of Haute Couture brings together nearly 70 designs by the two couturiers. Archives from the 1950s and creations by Azzedine Alaïa engage in a subtle dialogue. Despite the decades that separate them, colour combinations as well as similarities in ornamentation and inspiration attest to the reconciliation of fashion and time that these two great couturiers naturally led and governed.

AFMO invites you to learn more about these iconic designers through a private visit of this exhibition, guided by art historian Ingrid Held, at the Fondation Azzedine Alaïa on Friday, February 27, 2026 at 11am.

Event reserved for AFMO Patron-level members and above.

Image: "Azzedine Alaïa and Christian Dior, two masters of haute couture" ph. Stéphane Aït Ouarab.