Loris Azzaro

Loris Azzaro was born in Tunis in 1933 to Sicilian parents and moved to Paris in 1962, having previously taught French and Italian in Tunisia. He opened his first workshop in 1965 designing bags, belts and embroidered tops, and launched his boutique on the Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré in 1967. His work came to wider attention in 1968 when his Anneau dress, worn by Marisa Berenson, appeared on the cover of Elle. His work was built around eveningwear: fluid silk jerseys, daring cut-outs, ornate beading, sequins and chainmail woven from brightly coloured chains. His clients included Brigitte Bardot, Jane Birkin, Sophia Loren, Raquel Welch, Isabelle Adjani and Nicole Kidman.