Fondation Azzedine Alaïa

Azzedine Alaïa (1935-V), was a Tunisian-French couturier and shoe designer. He became globally known particularly beginning in the 1980s for his women's dresses and he would dress numerous celebrities throughout his career.

He was deeply moved by the beauty of the world around him. For more than fifty years, his life was a tapestry of fashion, art, design, architecture, music, and theatre. This passion turned him into a dedicated collector, gathering treasures from every creative corner imaginable.

To ensure his incredible body of work and his vast collections would inspire future generations, he teamed up with the painter Christoph Von Weyhe and his dear friend of forty years, Carla Sozzani. In 2007, they founded the Association Azzedine Alaïa, which later blossomed into the Foundation we know today.

Tucked away at 18 rue de la Verrerie—the very place where Alaïa lived and worked—the Foundation is a sanctuary in the heart of Paris, featuring a logo designed by Julian Schnabel. Its buildings wrap around a peaceful, plant-filled courtyard. Here, you’ll find a stunning main gallery beneath a historic glass and iron roof, a second gallery upstairs, and a curated bookshop. You can even stop by the café, a space created to honor Monsieur Alaïa’s legendary warmth and hospitality.

Since February 2020, the Foundation has been officially recognized by the French Ministry of Interior as an organization of public utility. True to Alaïa’s own wishes, we are dedicated to celebrating his legacy. We invite you to explore his work and the diverse collections he built over a lifetime through our exhibitions, educational programs, and cultural events.