A truly remarkable fashion show doesn’t just impress—it forces you to reconsider everything. You find yourself staring at your wardrobe, even your life, with a new lens. That casual outfit you once loved? Suddenly, it feels average. Your walk might seem awkward, your posture lazy. And you can’t help but wonder if what you’ve always thought was stylish might actually be mediocre.
Alaïa’s Guggenheim Show: The Fashion Moment That Makes You Rethink Everything
Most people avoid these feelings, shielding themselves from self-doubt and embracing confidence. They’re likely well-adjusted, caring less about fashion and more about personal comfort and practicality. These individuals, secure in themselves, don’t obsess over trends and wear what they like—sensible, normal, and balanced.
But these aren’t the people who showed up for the Alaïa show at the Guggenheim Museum last Friday. For those who live and breathe fashion—where beauty transcends logic—this collection delivered exactly what they crave. Under the direction of Pieter Mulier, Alaïa’s creative head since 2021, the show ignited a visceral reaction. His creations—sleek, hooded wool coats that draped effortlessly, and a pale pink ruffled skirt that moved like a living creature—blurred the line between elegance and complexity. Mulier’s vision was seductive, luxurious, and unapologetically dramatic.
The models descended the museum’s spiraled ramp like ethereal beings, floating into view one stunning piece at a time. As they moved, glimpses of intricate designs—a sleeve made of countless curled fabric coils, a silk taffeta accent—slowly revealed themselves, creating an almost unbearable sense of anticipation. In a world where everything is instantaneous, Mulier reminded us of the power of waiting, of savoring.
Lauren Amos, owner of Atlanta boutique ANT/DOTE and a dedicated fan of the brand, summed it up best. She noted that Alaïa’s appeal now reaches beyond traditional boundaries, with even men gravitating towards the brand’s iconic belts, shoes, and bags. The designs, Amos said, are smart, sculptural, and timeless—striking a balance between sexy and intellectual.
Azzedine Alaïa, the brand’s late founder, was known for making fashion intellectual without alienating the wearer. His designs were admired by artists and icons alike, from Grace Jones to Jennifer Bartlett. He celebrated and empowered the female form, creating clothes that were both revealing and protective.
Mulier, who usually shows during Paris Couture Week, paid homage to this legacy, conjuring a world that felt both nostalgic and fresh. The venue—its audience seated in a circular arrangement—recalled the glamour of yesteryear, reminiscent of Halston’s infamous parties where the elite mixed with fashion’s intelligentsia. Yet, beneath the spectacle, there was an undeniable nod to commercial reality. Mulier’s hit accessories, including his rhinestone-studded ballet flats, have garnered a massive following, especially in the U.S.
The collaboration between Alaïa and the Guggenheim wasn’t purely aesthetic either. It came to life when museum staff noticed similarities between one of Mulier’s spiral-bodied dresses from Fall 2024 and the architecture of the museum itself. This dress, famously worn by Zendaya during promotions for “Dune: Part Two,” served as the catalyst for the event. And while the show celebrated these American connections, the designs remained firmly rooted in European craftsmanship.
The final looks—pleated pants, intricately molded dresses—were stunning examples of Mulier’s skill. His ability to sculpt fabric into forms that caressed and revealed the body spoke to the brand’s core identity. While these pieces may only be accessible to a select few, they captivated an audience that worships fashion as art.
In a world where true luxury often feels out of reach, Alaïa remains one of the few brands that stirs desire beyond logic. Mulier’s vision for women is powerful: chic, unapologetic, and complex. His clothes evoke the timeless glamour of old Hollywood, where femininity was strength, not weakness. He understands that in fashion, it’s not just about what you wear—it’s about how you feel. And with this collection, Mulier has ensured that every woman who dons Alaïa will feel nothing short of extraordinary.
