AZ Factory Continues Collaboration With Lutz Huelle

After founder Alber Elbaz died in 2021 the Richemont-backed brand he started, AZ Factory, was left without a leader. Rather than replace the beloved designer, AZ Factory introduced the innovative ‘Amigos’ initiative. That is, every season a new designer would take the creative helm to honour the joyful spirit of the Elbaz. From Thebe Magugu, Ester Manas, and most recently Molly Molloy and Lucinda Chambers, the unique program has kept Elbaz’s legacy alive through the lens of independent designers.

While the novelty of a revolving roster of designers has sparked interest from the industry, AZ Factory is switching it up by asking one-time amigo Lutz Huelle to return on a more permanent basis. Having presented his collection for the brand last October as part of Paris Fashion Week, the Parisian designer already proved he could reinvent the spirit of Elbaz with a playful collection juxtaposing casual denim styles with couture-inspired silhouettes adorned with ruffles.

'The first collaboration with AZ Factory was the most fabulous and inspiring experience, and I’m overjoyed at being able to continue to collaborate with this incredible team. The spirit and values of AZ Factory have always been an integral part of my own work, and I can't wait to start working on this next chapter', explains Huelle.

Come June, Huelle will present his first pre-collection for AZ Factory. Dubbed ‘J is for Joy’, the collection is slated to be a continuation of the themes Huelle explored in his previous show. And while we can only guess how his new designs will look based on his previous offering, we do know that this time around will put the spotlight on AZ Factory’s strict commitment to sustainable practices stating 50% of the collection will be created using deadstock fabrics.