Joseph Altuzarra
Designer, Altuzarra
The multi-cultural designer worked with Marc Jacobs and Givenchy before starting his own brand, which recently attracted investment from Kering.
Since launching his namesake luxury brand in 2008, New York-based Joseph Altuzzara has fast become one of the industry’s most buzzy young designers, boasting a strong design aesthetic that has seen him compared to luminary Tom Ford .
A Paris native, Altuzarra moved to America in 2000, undertaking a bachelor’s degree in art history from Swarthmore College in Philadelphia. Moving to New York following his graduation in 2004, the young creative applied for an internship at Marc Jacobs , despite having no previous design training, and secured a position within the design studio. In 2005, Altuzzara freelanced for Proenza Schouler before working as an apprentice for Nicolas Caito, the former head of couture at Rochas. In 2006, having secured a coveted position as first apprentice to creative director of Givenchy, Riccardo Tisci , Altuzzara relocated to Paris, spending the next two years learning essential skills in tailoring and draping.
With the help of Givenchy’s international public relations manager, Coline Choay, and seed funding from his father, Altuzzara launched his label in New York, debuting at the Milk MADE fashion week event during New York Fashion Week in 2009. The designer has since been stocked in stores such as Barneys New York, Lane Crawford, Colette and on Net-a-Porter.
Receiving his first accolade in the form of the Ecco Domani award in January 2010, the burgeoning designer has since been awarded Fashion Group International’s ‘Rising Star of the Year’ award, the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund award in 2011 and the CFDA Swarovksi Award for Womenswear Design in 2012. In July 2013 Altuzzara was named as the winner of the US Woolmark Prize and in early September sold a minority interest of his label to French luxury conglomerate Kering.
Career History
VITAL STATISTICS
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Altuzarra Founder Joseph Altuzarra to Step Into CEO Role
The brand’s CEO of five years, Shira Sue Carmi, will step down on Dec. 31; longtime chief operating officer Marta Lastra — recently promoted to president — will work closely with the designer to lead the company.
Altuzarra Founder Joseph Altuzarra to Step Into CEO Role
The brand’s CEO of five years, Shira Sue Carmi, will step down on Dec. 31; longtime chief operating officer Marta Lastra — recently promoted to president — will work closely with the designer to lead the company.
Altuzarra Nabs Investment From New Venture Fund P180
The 16-year-old womenswear label is partnering with the investment firm to ramp up its direct-to-consumer business.
Altuzarra Nabs Investment From New Venture Fund P180
The 16-year-old womenswear label is partnering with the investment firm to ramp up its direct-to-consumer business.
This Fashion Month, Let’s Take Care of Ourselves First
Post-Covid, people across fashion are seeking alternatives to the pressure and expectations that come from working in such a fast-paced industry, writes Imran Amed.
This Fashion Month, Let’s Take Care of Ourselves First
Post-Covid, people across fashion are seeking alternatives to the pressure and expectations that come from working in such a fast-paced industry, writes Imran Amed.
The United States of Stuff
From Fendi to Tibi, the opening days of New York Fashion Week were unapologetically commercial, reports Lauren Sherman.
The United States of Stuff
From Fendi to Tibi, the opening days of New York Fashion Week were unapologetically commercial, reports Lauren Sherman.
How TikTok Won Over Fashion
Instagram has more users, but for a growing number of brands and creators, TikTok has replaced the Meta-owned social network as fashion’s go-to marketing platform.
How TikTok Won Over Fashion
Instagram has more users, but for a growing number of brands and creators, TikTok has replaced the Meta-owned social network as fashion’s go-to marketing platform.
At the Met Gala, the Red Carpet Was Disrupted By the Real World
The Gilded Age played out on the red carpet as attendees took the era’s opulence — and inequalities — to heart, while real-world news of the Supreme Court’s intention to override Roe v. Wade drastically changed the online conversation in a matter of minutes.
At the Met Gala, the Red Carpet Was Disrupted By the Real World
The Gilded Age played out on the red carpet as attendees took the era’s opulence — and inequalities — to heart, while real-world news of the Supreme Court’s intention to override Roe v. Wade drastically changed the online conversation in a matter of minutes.
Joseph Altuzarra’s Post-Kering Future
The New York label is betting on ‘genderful’ second line Altu and homeware to re-energise the business after its split with the French group in 2020.
Joseph Altuzarra’s Post-Kering Future
The New York label is betting on ‘genderful’ second line Altu and homeware to re-energise the business after its split with the French group in 2020.
Designers Lobby to ‘Fix’ the Fashion System. Will It Work?
In recent weeks, three different groups of designers and retailers have proposed shifts to the industry’s product delivery and discounting calendars in a bid to create healthier, more profitable businesses. Can they pull it off?
Designers Lobby to ‘Fix’ the Fashion System. Will It Work?
In recent weeks, three different groups of designers and retailers have proposed shifts to the industry’s product delivery and discounting calendars in a bid to create healthier, more profitable businesses. Can they pull it off?
Television's Power to Launch Fashion Brands Remains Unproven
Netflix’s ‘Next in Fashion’ and Amazon’s ‘Making the Cut’ are more focused on the business of selling clothes than 'Project Runway' ever was. But can their winners become stars?
Television's Power to Launch Fashion Brands Remains Unproven
Netflix’s ‘Next in Fashion’ and Amazon’s ‘Making the Cut’ are more focused on the business of selling clothes than 'Project Runway' ever was. But can their winners become stars?
Joseph Altuzarra: At Ease in Paris
His designs stood up well enough against the European heavyweights that populate the Paris fashion week schedule.
Joseph Altuzarra: At Ease in Paris
His designs stood up well enough against the European heavyweights that populate the Paris fashion week schedule.
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The people shaping the global fashion industry, curated by the editors of The Business of Fashion, based on nominations and on-the-ground intelligence from around the world.
