Azzi & Osta

Lebanese designer duo George Azzi and Assaad Osta explore the essence of unapologetic femininity through their Number 7 ready-to-wear collection. Traversing into the soft memories from the gushing ways of a serene beach, into the palette of its corals, this collection is Azzi & Osta’s take on what a woman wants post-pandemic.
The Number 7 collection is more than a creative review on modern-day sensual appeal — it breaks into a cascade of shades and colors that illustrate the long-awaited return to rooftop soirées with friends. A composition of taffeta and crepe true to the Beirut-based brand’s identity has also been experimented with through lace, and various prints. “Fashion is but an expression of self. It is about imagination, a fleeting sense of creativity in our everyday routine,” says Osta.
With pieces that touch base on the art of seduction, Azzi and Osta play with statements like short dresses, structured lines, and sharp buttons, and luxurious fabrics, to make creations of balm and dare. A shimmering beach mirage is also reflected in the color palette with shades of precious metals and knitwear in neutrals. “In this collection, we experiment with feelings of nostalgia around moments of happiness which we want to hold on to forever,” says Azzi.
A highlight of the collection is the depth demonstrated in its range of tailored suits, short dresses, evening gowns, asymmetrical cuts, exaggerated ruche bust dresses juxtaposed with soft draping fabrics. Refined is the word to describe the cropped blazer, tailored mini-jupe, and shorts, which balance the playful mini-dresses and a-symmetrical shoulder tops. Whether printed in tropical leaves or cut out from the waist, the collection also includes long dresses that pop in color and narrate a story from the color wheel.
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Photographed by Amanda Charchian
While the 90s have been “back” for a while, designers George Azzi and Assaad Osta have a deeply personal reason to look back on the glamorous era for their latest collection. It is when the Lebanese duo went through what is arguably the most transformative phase in everyone’s lives — the early teenage years. The fall 2021 collection pays homage to cherished memories at the beginning of their career which includes their “first fashion sketches, first mood boards, and their first purchase of chiffon after weeks of saving.”
Photographed by Amanda Charchian
“We often find ourselves going back there, to those years where our minds were full of dreams and exceptions,” shares Azzi. Osta adds, “The collection pays tribute to the moment in time when we chose this path. The time when we discovered our purpose and started to dream big. It was a time full of endless inspiration, crazy ideas, and sleepless summer nights – when we were too busy envisaging the future to sleep.”.
Photographed by Amanda Charchian
Edgy and cool, and at the same time, sharp and polished, the collection is an ode to angsty teenage years while channeling the many attitudes that stemmed from the 90s. The designers reimagine grunge with a juxtaposing element of glamour, and the result is sleek tailoring, airy chiffon creations, and powerful silhouettes — an Azzi & Osta signature.
Photographed by Amanda Charchian
In an adept play of masculine and feminine, sharp-cut trousers are paired with tulle corsets and plunging jackets are adorned with origami-fold suede detail. The collection also sees party dresses deconstructed with dinner jackets and finalized with an exaggerated couture bow. The essence of glam rock is permeated in the collection with bold silhouettes engulfed with an abundance of sequins, velvet, crepe, and tulle. As for the color palette, the duo keeps it simple with baby pinks, olive greens, off-whites, inky black, Bordeaux, and navy blues complemented with metallic nuances.
Photographed by Amanda Charchian
Although nostalgic for their past, Azzi and Osta have big plans for the future, after what has been an eventful year for the designers who call Beirut home. The duo plans to expand internationally and for their first step in that direction, have photographed their latest collection in LA.
Photographed by Amanda Charchian
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Photography: Amanda CharchianStyle: Dena GianniniHair: Peter LuxMakeup: Allan AvendañoModels: Amelie Tremblay and Halimotu Shokunbi

Azzi & Osta‘s SS21 collection bursts with color, hope, and optimism for the future as it harkens back to the playful 60s. For this ready-to-wear collection, Lebanese designer duo George Azzi and Assaad Osta looked to the popular vintage American travel magazine Holiday and its golden years in the 60s for inspiration.
Its bold layouts, visually pleasing art direction, and photography that allowed readers to travel within its pages, also motivated the designers to collect them, and later, dream up a 17-piece collection through which the magazines would continue to serve their purpose. “Storytelling with our creations is at the core of what we do,” share the couturiers with Vogue Arabia. “We love history, and the history of art specifically, as it makes us imagine how things were, and challenges us to modernize and bring those moments back in the form of a story that takes our audiences through our journey of escapism.”
The Holiday magazines. Photo: Courtesy of Azzi & Osta

The collection is every bit the holiday wardrobe jet-setters would travel with, had it not been for the global pandemic, and serves as a sartorial antidote after a trying 2020. Speaking of the driving force behind the collection, Azzi and Osta say, “The year 2020 with all its challenges and the devastating explosion in Beirut, triggered more and more our need to escape with our thoughts and just imagine where anyone yearns to be during such times, what they would wear on their holiday, and the carefree spirit that the 60s project.” The result? Silhouettes that are minimalistic with maximalist accents that ensure wearability while still being stand-out pieces in the wardrobe. Light, tailored separates with clean, asymmetric cuts are juxtaposed with billowing cape-like sleeves, long tunic tops are adorned with dramatic ruffles, while eyes are drawn to waistlines and necklines accentuated with flower appliqués, embellishments, straps with sparkling vintage accents, an oversized bow, as well as geometric cut-outs. Dubbed a “gelato-hued collection” by the brand, the color palette is plucked from the pages of the vintage magazine to feature shades like marshmallow pink, sherbet lemon, powder blue and Hamptons white.
The mood board. Photo: Courtesy of Azzi & Osta

Since comfort continues to be predicted as one of the the biggest “fashion trends” this year, the designers have taken it into consideration to deliver just that with the collection that is available to shop from their recently launched e-commerce site. “We adapted the collection for SS21 into a simpler silhouette; looks that are suitable for intimate day events as well as outdoor celebrations,” say Azzi and Osta. “Comfort, effortlessness, minimalism have become more prominent and our SS21 collection reflects that very much.”
George Azzi and Assaad Osta. Photography Myriam Boulos

Azzi and Osta were two of the many designers affected by the explosion in Beirut that destroyed homes and businesses. The duo now strongly feels a responsibility as creatives to offer a much-needed dose of escapism through their work, and their faith in the power of fashion has never been more important. “Fashion projects hope, something to look forward to,” they say. “You look at fashion — how it is always about the upcoming “seasons” and it offers a way of looking at things with a more positive perspective, and the notion that this too shall end. The storytelling that has always been with fashion, is now intensified with all the fashion films and is the means to disconnecting, dreaming, escaping, and living in the story of a collection for a little while.”
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Amal Al Raisi

To usher in the spring season, the hottest labels in the Arab world have unveiled their latest collections exclusively with Vogue Arabia. In lightweight fabrics, neutral and pastel colors, the collections feature everything from flowy dresses and jumpsuits to keep you effortlessly cool this season.
Below, discover the creations of five regional designers bringing the heat through unique, artistic, and visually stunning spring 2021 collections.
Amal Al Raisi

Amal Al Raisi

Amal Al Raisi

Amal Al Raisi

Amal Al Raisi

Amal Al Raisi

Omani designer Amal Al Raisi’s collection, is a tribute to the late Sultan Al Qaboos bin Said and the country’s hope-filled future. The collection features tiered dresses, wide-leg pants, tailored tops, and jumpsuits in a color palette of vanilla hues, blossom pink, dusty teal, and starlight blue, which symbolizes tranquility. Hints of femininity are indicated through fabrics such as silk chiffon, fluid twill, and tulle. Al Raisi also used intricate embellishments to adorn the sleeves and necklines, while the Sultan Qaboos Rose is highlighted through delicate beading. 
Illustrella

Illustrella

ILLUSTRELLA

ILLUSTRELLA

ILLUSTRELLA

ILLUSTRELLA

Helmed by Emirati designers Afra, Ahad, and Alia Bin Haider, Illustrella’s latest collection features a color palette of vivid hues of blue, green, grey, and beige, mirroring colors of a flower bouquet. Additionally, the collection embraces the richness of materials like taffeta, silk, chiffon, organza, and tulle. The petal cut necklines, sleeves, and intricate embellishments handcrafted from crystals and pearls bring out a sense of femininity. Staying true to Illustrella’s signature style, two-tone dresses and trench coats also make an appearance this season.
Noor Al Bahrani

Noor Al Bahrani

Noor Al Bahrani

Noor Al Bahrani

Noor Al Bahrani

Noor Al Bahrani

Omani designer Noor Al Bahrani looked to the desert rose for inspiration for her latest collection featuring flowy silhouettes, a radiant color palette, and distinctive embroidery. Flowers handcrafted from feathers and hints of lace elevate the aesthetic of the kaftans while embellished belts, and floral embroidery tie each look together. Al Bahrani makes use of rose, blush, and sky hues fused with aqua and dune to represent the lush oasis in the depths of the desert. Fabrics of silk and chiffon emphasize the design’s beauty, whereas lace, crepe, and tulle add a playful touch.
Serrb

UAE based fashion house Serrb depicts the serenity of the season and the aesthetic of summer wear with separates, long dresses, and jumpsuits. The color palette features a mix of soft hues such as white, cream, and dusty rose and bold shades of black to create a sense of minimal color blocking. 
Twisted Roots

Twisted Roots

Twisted Roots

Twisted Roots

Twisted Roots

Twisted Roots

Emirati designer Latifa Al Gurg’s inspiration for the Twisted Roots spring/summer 21 collection is a nod to Bali’s beautiful culture, architecture, and nature. It echoes a minimalist approach to summer dressing featuring flowy dresses, jackets, and tailored separates to reflect the Balinese temple’s architectural outlines. The color palette is a nod to the Indonesian island, featuring a mix of soothing shades of green, teal, and pink with brown and white hints.
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Azzi & Osta AW21 ready-to-wear collection. Photo: Courtesy

It has been quite a year for Lebanese designers George Azzi and Assaad Osta. The founders of the brand Azzi & Osta have tackled the challenges brought by the Beirut explosion and the coronavirus pandemic, and now, the label is launching its online store.
Over the last few years, the brand has promised its commitment to promote slow fashion across the world; and the launch of its first-ever e-commerce store is designed to do just that. Launching today, December 14, the online space represents the label’s mindfulness of the changing times and the importance of sustainability in the fashion realm. This is shown by the use of the pre-order business model, which allows the company to better create the balance between the supply and demand of the products and also minimize production waste. The online store features Azzi & Osta’s FW21 and SS20 ready-to-wear collections that are available for pre-order, where customers can expect to receive their pieces within two to four weeks of placing their order.
Beyoncé wears Azzi & Osta. Photo: Courtesy of Azzi & Osta

Since its launch in 2010, Azzi & Osta has become one of the world’s most sought-after brands, adored by many across the world including Beyoncé, Kendall Jenner, and Queen Rania. As the brand celebrates the launch of its online store, Vogue Arabia spoke to the founders, and designers George Azzi and Assaad Osta about what customers can expect from its e-commerce launch.
George Azzi and Assaad Osta, founders of Lebanese label Azzi & Osta. Photo: Courtesy

Tell us about your decision to launch your online store.
With all the uncertainty that 2020 brought, accessibility became a priority; especially with the demand we received from worldwide clients, so we felt it made perfect sense with our business model. On a strategic level, as a brand that creates both haute couture and ready-to-wear, it was an important stepping stone for awareness and outreach, in order to highlight the difference between haute couture being exclusive and made to measure, and ready-to-wear being fluid, accessible, and a lifestyle line.
What can customers expect from the online platform?
Clients can enjoy full access to the brand collections, videos, ethos, and values, as well as brand news, and new line introductions. It will be the Azzi & Osta essence and DNA in one digital platform.
Azzi & Osta AW21 ready-to-wear collection. Photo: Courtesy

As Lebanese designers, what is the most important thing this year has taught you?
Appreciation and strategic thinking; giving back to the world and enriching the brand’s sustainable values.
Why are business models, such as the pre-order one important in today’s world?
A pre-order model helps preserve the world’s well-being. It promotes slow fashion, lowers waste, and for a brand like Azzi & Osta that appreciates its worldwide partners, it creates the much-needed balance in giving them priority access.
Azzi & Osta AW21 ready-to-wear collection. Photo: Courtesy

What is next for Azzi & Osta?
We would like to believe that 2021 will be a rejuvenating year with a lot of new plans forming, based on the learnings of 2020. We have the upcoming haute couture collection for SS21, enhancing more of the unconventional craftsmanship the brand has always conveyed and will be introducing a lot more on the sustainable approach. We also have the ready-to-wear 2021 collection that speaks to the new world. Our audience, clients, and friends of the brand are always the main reason behind the brand’s developments.
Azzi & Osta collections are now available to shop on their e-commerce store, Azziandosta.com
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