Everyday we hear uplifting fashion fairytales of designers who have gone from sketching dresses on the backs of old envelopes to wowing the crowds at Fashion Week seemingly overnight. Indeed the fast-paced, cyclical nature of fashion makes it seem like the must-see new designers who catch eye our every season have arrived suddenly due to some miraculous twist of fate, rather than through years of careful study, planning and development which is far more likely to have been the case. Parisian-born designer, Joseph Altuzarra is certainly new, young and hotter-than-hot but his phenomenal success over the past two seasons is no Cinderella story. Talent alone does not a fashion superstar make and it’s taken years of hard graft for Joseph to get to where he is today. After gaining a degree in Art and Art History, Joseph went on to learn his trade at various esteemed fashion institutions. The young designer interned at Marc Jacobs and Proenza Schouler before honing his technical skills with a pattern maker who had previously worked for John Rochas. Following a stint as design-assistant at Parisian uber brand, Givenchy, Joseph felt ready to strike out in his own and thus Altuzarra was born.

Altuzarra S/S 2011

Altuzarra’s New York debut 3 seasons ago won him high-profile fans including Carine Roitfeld and  marked him out as one to watch, but it was his Spring/Summer 2011 collection that really proved he’s here to stay.

Altuzarra S/S 2011

Altuzarra’s latest collection features his signature skillful tailoring and body-conscious silhouettes but at the same time demonstrates Joseph’s development as a designer. Instead of the dramatically corseted, black looks we saw last season, the New York-based designer has brought us clean lines and simple shapes and a distinctly more minimalist feel. His collection of sleek suits and sheath dresses came in a predominantly neutral palette of stark white and sleek black, broken up by geometric strips of python and metallic leather with a bursts of precisely placed flouro hues.

Altuzarra S/S 2011

Altuzarra’s whole aesthetic is undeniably seductive, but it is an extremely modern and exquisitely tasteful sort of sex appeal that oozes from within his painstakingly crafted designs. These dresses flash a fair bit of flesh and cling to every curve, but their sheer modernity keeps things sophisticated, grown-up and utterly fashion-forward. Don’t get me wrong, I adore a Herve Leger bandage dress as much as the next girl, but Joseph’s form-fitting pieces have a certain “je ne sais quois” about them that other body-conscious styles lack.

Altuzarra S/S 2011

The real beauty of Altuzarra’s S/S 2011 collection is that it seems to be doing something that no one else is. The pieces hint at minimalism, but there is certainly nothing traditional or conservative about their fierce cuts and sci-fi feel. Altuzarra’s use of python skin and rich metallic leather are luxurious but in no way could the designer ever be accused of being decadance or OTT detailing.

Altuzarra S/S 2011

Joseph Altuzarra’s success has been a long time coming and whilst the designer clearly learnt a lot about craftsmanship, attention to detail and quality of materials through his various internships and previous positions, his style is totally and unequivocably his own. His pieces are certainly not easy-to-wear, fat-day friendly garments. Altuzarra’s designs challenge the wearer to work a highly modern and extremely striking look, but yet women everywhere have fallen over themselves to get their hands them. According to Joseph, “a lot of the brand DNA lies in the fact that they’re (his designs) for women, not girls.” His mother holds the position of CEO of Altuzarra, whilst the designers stylist Melanie Huynh and muse, Vanessa Traina also have a huge influence on Joseph’s work. Maybe it is this female input that makes Altuzarra’s collections a smash hit with fashion conscious females everywhere, who knows. All that’s certain is that Joseph Altuzarra has well and truly earnt his fashion stripes and for 2011, the only way is up.

Love Ella. X