Alber Elbaz Unveils AZ Factory's Debut Collection for Spring/Summer 2021 Haute Couture
It's been more than five years since Alber Elbaz's unexpected adieu to the fashion industry, but today the designer marks his triumphant homecoming with an innovative film to launch his brand AZ Factory's premiere collection for the Spring/Summer 2021 Haute Couture season. The video, titled "Show Fashion," premiered as a part of the regular Paris Haute Couture 2021 calendar, reinstating Elbaz to his former stature on the fashion stage.
At the start of the film, Elbaz addresses his absense, and the many calls for his return. Video messages from fellow designers Marc Jacobs, Pierpaolo Piccioli, Gabriela Hearst, and more gleefully greet his comeback (to which he responds, smiling, "I love fashion people."). After reconceptualizing womenswear during his 14 years at the helm of Lanvin, the designer has partnered with Richemont to launch his newest venture which aspires for a more initimate designer-consumer relationship.
AZ Factory defines itself by a central set of values: "respect, trust, and love." In a previous interview with L'OFFICIEL, Elbaz professed the motivation behind the company. "Looking at the lives of women today, you can see them running in ten different directions trying to be the best mother, the best wife, the best person you work with, etc. I realized I had to start working on a solution." He continued, "I’m introducing new technology, but I’m also trying to go a little bit deeper than just looking fabulous. I’m trying to listen to women to see what I can do to bring them their dreams."
Putting words into actions, throughout the collection's four "product stories," the debut line employs materials and silhouettes engineered to carefully accuentate the body without sacrificing taste. The "Switchwear" and "SwitchwearPyjamas" pieces are meant to seamless follow one from day to night; looks from the "MyBody" story offer high-end designs with comfort at the forefront; and the "SuperTech-SuperChic" series uses ecod-dyed material to elevate traditional athleisure into chic, Haute Couture ensembles.
In celebration of AZ Factory's official launch, Elbaz will host The Talk Show with Alber Elbaz & Friends with Net-a-Porter on January 27 at 3 p.m. CET/9 a.m. EST.
