WWD has learned that Molly Molloy and Lucinda Chambers, the design duo behind the colorful and eclectic Colville label, are AZ Factory’s next guest designer.
They aim to bring joy, energy and inspiration to the industry by presenting their collection on the runway during Paris Fashion Week on March 6th.
Chambers, who spent 25 years as fashion director at British Vogue and is best known for his long collaboration with Marni during the Castiglionis era, said it was “a real honor” to be asked to contribute to Elvas’ legacy. Told.
“I’ve been in the fashion industry for over 40 years and he was not only a giant among men and a brilliant designer, but an amazing human being.” It’s been a fun trip full of memories and new beginnings, and Molly and I feel very safe and inspired.”
Former design director at Marni, Molloy has recently consulted for JJ Martin’s fashion label, La Double J.
She said she enjoyed the opportunity to work with AZ Factory “with the common goal of making women feel beautiful, strong and empowered.”
Molloy and Chambers are the latest design talents invited to express their interpretation of ‘smart fashion that cares’.
In a statement first shared with WWD, AZ Factory said it chose Chambers and Molloy because they “share a keen vision that has always empowered diverse beautiful women and freewheeling personalities. ‘It’s for that reason,’ he said.
A look from the Colville Spring 2023 collection.
Courtesy of Colville
Chambers and Molloy founded Colville in 2018, describing it as the “antithesis of fast fashion” in pursuit of clothing with character and longevity, tailored to the ethos of women’s social projects and sustainability. bottom. The brand also sells accessories and homewares such as blankets, cushions, rugs, poufs and vases.
AZ Factory, a joint venture between Compagnie Financière Richemont and Elbaz in 2019, has welcomed a diverse range of up-and-coming talent to established talent following the death of its founder to COVID-19 in April 2021. invited guest creatives.
Previous guests Amigo and Amiga (the nomenclature adopted by AZ Factory) included South African designer Thebe Maggu. Size-inclusive brand Ester Manas, designed by Ester Manas and Balthazar Delepierre, and Paris-based designer Lutz Huelle.
Richemont has been fine-tuning and elaborating its strategy and business model with AZ Factory, and has also dabbled in couture within AZ’s various product stories.
We recently announced that our guest creators will include recent graduates, prospective students, and even leftfield creatives not directly related to fashion, such as DJs.