The construction of this dress reveals Azzedine Alaia's admiration of the iconic designer, Charles James. James created a ground breaking dress in the 1950s which used a zip which again wound around the body. James is perhaps the 'couturier's couturier' par excellence for his pioneering cut and construction.

This model is known for having been worn by Grace Jones, who was dressed by Alaia for her role in the Bond film, Live and Let Die.