In his first show in 8 years, Azzedine Alaia was back on the runway for the Fall Couture 2011 showing this past week. The designer, who supposedly was offered to head up the house of Dior, appeared to be going nowhere but up as the crowd (including Sofia Coppola, Donatella Versache, Kayne West and Victoire de Castellane) applauded his triumphant finale.

Proving to be a vast success (I’ve been cowering the internet for images and reviews), the collection has been revered as well worth the wait. And apparently the long standing ovation, which didn’t end until French Minister of Culture Frédéric Mitterrand went backstage and persuaded the bashfully shy designer to face his supporters.

For more images visit wwd.com