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Loris Azzaro (9 February 1933 – 20 November 2003) was a French-Italian fashion designer. He rose to prominence in the 1960s with his flamboyant dresses and he went on to become well known for his perfumes.

Early life and career

Loris Azzaro was born to Italian parents in Tunis, Tunisia on 9 February 1933. He spent his childhood and teenage years in Tunis. In 1957, Azzaro met his future wife Michelle Carsy, who became his muse and he designed accessories for her. Azzaro studied in Toulouse, France. He was teaching French and Italian in Tunis before he relocated to Paris, France in 1962.

Azzaro

Early years

In 1965, Azzaro opened his first workshop, designing bags, belts, and embroidered tops. In 1967, Azzaro opened his boutique at 65 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré. He presented his first couture collection at the Grand Hôtel de París. In 1968, Azzaro's Anneau dress worn by Marisa Berenson was featured on the cover of Elle magazine. Soon, actresses Brigitte Bardot, Jane Birkin, Sophia Loren, and Raquel Welch were wearing his designs. Tina Turner wore Loris Azzaro dresses often as stage costumes in the late 1960s and early 1970s. She appeared on the cover of publications such as Rolling Stone and Ebony wearing his dresses. Despite his popularity, Azzaro never designed haute couture clothing and was not a member of the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture.

In the 1970s, Azzaro launched fragrance brands for men and women. He added menswear to his fashion repertoire in 1992.

In 2002, Compagnie Frey bought the Azzaro fashion house to expand its luxury division.

After Azzaro's death

Since 2006, Azzaro has been owned by Reig Capital Group.

Since the house’s founder passed away in 2003, Azzaro has been led by a series of designers, including Vanessa Seward (2003–2011), Mathilde Castello Branco (2011–2012), the duo of Arnaud Maillard and Alvaro Castejón (2013–2017), Maxime Simoëns (2017–2019) and Olivier Theyskens (since 2020). The brand was relaunched in 2017, when the house celebrated its 50th anniversary. From 2019, Azzaro staged coed couture shows.

Other activities

At Baselworld in 2007, Azzaro launched its first jewelry line, done under license with Gay Frères.

Death

Azzaro died from cancer at the age of 70 on 20 November 2003. He was survived by his wife Michelle Azzaro, two children, Beatrice Azzaro and Catherine Azzaro, and three grandchildren. His daughter Beatrice Azzaro ran his company, Couture Loris Azzaro.

References

1. ^ "Loris Azzaro Remembered". British Vogue. November 26, 2003. Retrieved 2020-11-18.
2. ^ "Obituary: Loris Azzaro, Celebrity Designer, 70". WWD. November 21, 2003. Retrieved 2020-11-18.
3. ^ "Azzaro Fragrances: the perfume brand for men and women". Azzaro. Retrieved 2020-11-18.
4. "Tina Turner on the Cover of Rolling Stone". Rolling Stone. November 23, 2019. Retrieved 2020-11-18.
5. "EBONY Magazine May 1971". Time Capsule Magazines. 2018-08-25. Retrieved 2020-11-18.
6. ^ "Loris Azzaro, Fashion Designer, Dies at 70". The New York Times. Associated Press. November 21, 2003. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-11-18.
7. Miles Socha and Samantha Conti (5 October 2006), Investment Group Acquires Loris Azzaro Women's Wear Daily.
8. Alexandra Jacobs (8 July 2014), Azzaro to Prowl the Catwalk Again New York Times.
9. Miles Socha and Samantha Conti (18 March 2011), Vanessa Seward Said Exiting Azzaro Women's Wear Daily.
10. Miles Socha (2 September 2011), Azzaro Names Mathilde Castello Branco Women's Wear Daily.
11. Barbara Barker (11 June 2013), Azzaro Taps Spanish Duo as Creative Directors Women's Wear Daily.
12. Joelle Diderich (11 March 2019), Azzaro Parts Ways With Maxime Simoëns Women's Wear Daily.
13. Jennifer Weil and Miles Socha (5 February 2020), EXCLUSIVE: Azzaro Taps Olivier Theyskens as Artistic Director Women's Wear Daily.
14. Jennifer Weil and Miles Socha (5 February 2020), EXCLUSIVE: Azzaro Taps Olivier Theyskens as Artistic Director Women's Wear Daily.
15. Robert Murphy (1 March 2007), Azzaro Sets Ambitious Plan Women's Wear Daily.

• 1933 births
• 2003 deaths
• People from Tunis
• French fashion designers
• Pieds-noirs