Known for his penchant for going against fashion conventions, couturier Azzedine Alaïa is making an uncharacteristic comeback to the runway in the Paris Haute Couture Week. He will be presenting the Alaïa Autumn/Winter 2017 couture collection today.

This surprise announcement comes after Alaïa’s six-year hiatus from couture shows, his last presentation staged back in 2011 to a guest list of high-profile personalities the likes of Kanye West, Donatella Versace, and Sofia Coppola. The Tunisian-born designer is also known to show his ready-to-wear collections on his own terms, presenting his Spring/Summer 2017 ready-to-wear a month after Paris Fashion Week in October.

Alaïa's elusiveness and disregard for fashion cycles have not hindered his prominence in the scene, however. In fact, it has only fuelled fashion’s fascination for the artist. His sculptural yet feminine designs have won the hearts of supermodels and celebrities, counting Naomi Campbell, Stephanie Seymour, Lady Gaga, Grace Jones, and even the previous First Lady, Michelle Obama amongst his fans.

The designer's highly anticipated return will no doubt be an epic affair, staged at his Rue de Moussy headquarters in The Marais, Paris. The runway presentation is scheduled in the evening, between the Valentino and Fendi shows, and the couture collection will be sold exclusively at the atelier.