Olivier Theyskens Appointed Artistic Director Of Azzaro

The designer’s first collection for the house will be presented during the couture shows this July

Olivier Theyskens has been appointed the artistic director of Azzaro, the house has announced. The designer’s first collection for the brand will be shown this July, during the autumn/winter 2020 couture shows.

Theyskens will now be responsible for designing the men’s and women’s ready-to-wear and accessory lines, as well as the couture collections. He is taking over from Maxime Simoëns, who has helmed the brand since 2017, when Azzaro underwent a relaunch in celebration of its 50th anniversary.

Azzaro couture AW17

Theyskens has a wealth of experience, having headed up Rochas, Nina Ricci, and most recently, Theory, a role he left in 2014 to pursue other design projects. This included running his namesake fashion line, a label which he describes as “a modern luxury brand offering clothing for the modern 21st century woman”. He will continue to work on this alongside his new appointment.

Throughout his career, his designs have been worn by some of the most famous women in the world, including Nicole Kidman, Emma Watson, Jennifer Aniston and, perhaps most notably, Madonna, who wore his creation to the 1998 Oscars, when he was just 21 years old.

Madonna at the 1998 Oscars

“I always want to create something relevant for the house and for the name I work for,” the designer told WWD of his appointment. “So I feel very free to not necessarily do things in a certain way. I think the most important thing is being inspired by how your creation has a natural tendency to meet with what should be done for the brand, and that’s the fuel I have. That’s what I’m looking for.”

Natalie Portman wearing Azarro in 2011

From Harper’s Bazaar UK

Images courtesy of Getty Images