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MichaelAzu

   
Role
Fashion Designer
 
Profile
Michael Azu was born in London and developed an interest in fashion design at a very early age buying his first sewing machine aged just 13. He attended the famous colleges of St Martin’s and the London College of Fashion where he was trained by former Saville Row tailors. An award winning student, Michael was championed by designers Bella Freud and Matthew Williamson after impressing them with his designs at the Student International Fashion Awards. Their endorsements inspired him to go on and eventually create his own label. Whilst still a student Michael received interest from Valentino in Milan and only in his first year at college was spotted by the then, emerging new designer Tristan Webber. He assisted him for two seasons until 1998 when he left for New York after winning an international scholarship to study at the Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan. Michael returned to London in 1999 to complete his degree where he graduated with a BA(Hons.) in womenswear. In summer 2006 Michael was approached by Hugo Boss in Germany who wanted him as Chief Designer for their womenswear ‘Black’ label. He declined their offer, instead preferring to concentrate on developing the success of his own label.
 
Collections
The Michael Azu label was created in 2003. Often referred to as ‘Neo-Classical’, the clothes are recognised for their playfulness, perceived simplicity, elegance, craftsmanship and modernity. Michael Azu’s collections have received praise from Elle and was recently described by Vogue as ‘Incredible’. Each collection is always faithful to the Michael Azu DNA of elegant, feminine and wearable clothes for the intelligent, confident and body conscious woman. Previous collections have evolved from researching 17th Century ceramics, “Porcelain”, studying the life cycle and behaviour patterns of bees, ”Bombus” and the effects of gravity on water, “Rotation”. Although the pieces may look simple and effortless to the untrained observer, they are at times extremely technical in their construction, achieved using multiple folds, delicately structured drapes and masterful cutting. Michael enjoys manipulating the observer into looking at specific areas of the body in original and clever ways, often using the female back as a canvas. 'The back is the one part of the female body with the greatest flat surface area. Sometimes I will saturate it with interesting cuts and details or leave it completely bare exposing the skin’.
 
Special Events & Commissions
Entente Cordiale Michael Azu was recently commissioned by the British Embassy in Paris to design and create his modern take on the classic trench coat. ‘We created a breathtaking draped; backless trench coat with a contrasting digitally printed, silk lining. We also made it using traditional Saville Row tailoring methods with hand basted canvassing inside.’ The trench coat was displayed alongside vintage Burberry and Yves Saint Laurent versions going on display in Paris as part of Paris Fashion Week. Michael is currently collaborating with artist Mark Dickens and the Rebus Touring Arts group. He is costume designer for the Dante ‘La Vita Nuova’ project and is very excited at the passion the group have for the play. ‘I am always happy when given more freedom to develop garments outside of a commercial model, but working with Mark and helping him and the Rebus Touring Arts group realise their vision of Dante’s ‘La Vita Nuova’ is emotionally, extremely rewarding’. Michael’s collections are shown in Paris, London and Milan as part of fashion week.