Nathalie Fanj wearing the new collection
AZZJ & OSTA’s new ready-to-wear collection is inspired by the world’s most beautiful beaches. Creative Directors George Azzi and Assaad Osta also looked to Matisse’s abstract art, with its strong but soft colours, while creating the spring/summer offering called “Number 7.”
Characteristic bi-colouring infuses the sensual collection with feel-good tones evoking memories of the coast, from exquisite coral reefs to rocky slopes that lead to hidden shores. After reflecting on what women will want to wear ‘post pandemic’, the Lebanese dynamic duo, who launched their couture house in 2010, have placed an emphasis on seduction and luxury. The designers known for their expertise in fabric manipulation and creating designs with structured volumes, fine cuts and contoured silhouettes imagine the long-awaited return of fun with friends, red carpet glamour and cool rooftop cocktails. And hues like fuchsia pink, royal blue, mustard yellow and emerald green help playfully mark the return to a life chock-full of good times.
“In this collection, we experiment with feelings of nostalgia around moments of happiness which we want to hold on to forever,” Azzi said.
Osta, who also worked with Azzi as an Assistant Designer to Elie Saab, added: “Fashion is but an expression of self, it is about imagination, a fleeting sense of creativity in our everyday routine.”
Staying true to their design DNA, AZZI & OSTA focus on signature fabrics such as taffeta and crepe. However, the introduction of laces, prints and striking silhouettes hints at the label’s experimental side. “Number 7” also features soft looks and exquisite knits, delivering an edge of unapologetic femininity.
With their sex appeal, short, statement dresses are a must-have for the party season. At times, strong lines and sleek button fastenings offer a sharp, tailored look, while plush fabrics and swish ruffles offer a softer silhouette. Breathtaking gowns, which come in a cascade of tones and textures, also make their mark. Some come streamlined and structured in sultry black and others are bursting with colour and flowing fabrics.
Shimmering fabrics in shades of precious metal add a further dimension to AZZI & OSTA’s ode to endless summers, the joy of life and the awe of women. Eveningwear conjures visions of calm oceans sparkling in the sun. And for the more relaxed moments in life, delicate knitwear in neutral tones offers effortless elegance and a seamless transition from day to night.
About George Azzi and Assaad Osta
George Azzi and Assaad Osta met at Beirut’s Esmod in 2004. They formed a close bond and a united artistic vision founded on their shared interest in history, surrealism and the science of fabrics.
Their star rose quickly and upon graduating top of their class, Elie Saab offered them an internship within his design studio. Once the internship was over, they were immediately hired as Assistant Designers and started working directly alongside the designer.
It was just a few years later, in 2010, that the ambitious designers launched their eponymous haute couture atelier. Today, as well as haute couture, AZZI & OSTA covers bridal and ready-to-wear and has garnered repute as a notable luxury brand coveted by stars and confident, sophisticated women the world over.
Azzi and Osta have been exploring parallel paths since childhood. Azzi found inspiration from his grandmother who was a tailor and began experimenting, repurposing and creating outfits from her leftover fabric. Meanwhile, Assaad spent hours watching his mother as she stitched her own clothes with meticulous attention to detail. These formative years have influenced how designers approach their work.
