Fashion Files: Atelier AZZA

I am thrilled to share that my talented friend, Azeeza Desai Khan debuted her gorgeous new Monarch collection, under her fashion label, Atelier AZZA at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York last week. Azeeza has always been an inspiration. Not only is she the kind of girl who always looks perfectly put together from head to toe, she is also a go-getter—the type of girl who dreams big and makes exciting things happen for herself through her commitment and hard work.

{The Gorgeous and Talented Azeeza Desai Khan with a Model at Atelier AZZA’s Debut at New York Fashion Week}

Drawing inspiration from her Indian heritage and travels abroad, Atelier AZZA offers glamorous clothing blending everyday style with a high-fashion twist—think beautifully embellished, classic silhouettes. Azeeza recently took some time out in between Fashion Week and walking the red Carpet at the Emmys this past Sunday to chat with me about her fashion line, her inspiration, and the team that helps make it all come together.

La Dolce Vita: What inspired you to start your own fashion line?

Azeeza Desai Khan: I have always been a fan of fashion because it is a way to speak to the world without using words. Expressing oneself through what you wear can be both inspiring and uplifting and most of us dress the way we feel. I knew from an early age that I wanted to make clothes that made a woman feel empowered and beautiful. There is nothing better than getting dressed and feeling like your best "self". During high school I had taken two years of design lessons and also studied it privately abroad in India. Fast forward to current day, I am immersed in the business side of the fashion industry as a Marketing Executive with some amazing designer clients that have achieved great success from placements in Vogue to a bevy of influencers wearing their products. I am really blessed to have such great family, friends, and industry supporters who encouraged me to follow my dreams, it is largely because of them that earlier this year, I made a decision to make this buried dream of AZZA a reality and here we are.

{Azeeza’s Fabulous Street Style as featured by the New York Times}

LDV: Who/what has influenced your style? Are those influences reflected in AZZA?

ADK: For my line, I am so inspired by the “balance of life,” the juxtaposition of it and how it flows through fashion. With highs and lows and mixing the two to make “imperfect perfection.” My Indian and Afghan heritage and love for European “chic simplicity” has also played a huge role in the designs of my collection. I love marrying the billowing textiles, rich color palettes with embellishments that embrace a beautiful silhouette. You will also find the collection compliments nicely with renown jewelry designer Ranjana Khan’s stunning baubles.MY brand’s debut at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week was paired with Ranjana’s jewels so the collection did compliment her pieces. I think it was a perfect match as I love her statement pieces day-to-day for the past years.

{Backstage at the Atelier AZZA Fashion Show}

From a style standpoint – I really admire modern day fashion icon Olivia Palermo for her youthful, statement yet timeless style. She just mixes the most random pieces and also reflects my personal style of “high fashion meets high street” – mixing high end pieces with Zara and emerging/indie designers. I’ve had the pleasure to run into her a few times at NYFW and have to say that after conversing with her multiple times on different occasions, I only loved her more than what I saw of her in the media-- major grace and etiquette and even more of a stunner in person. I know LDV fans love her as well and can understand.

LDV: Who is the ideal AZZA woman?
ADK: Confident, seeking an understated yet statement-making level of glamour. I am all about empowered, career-oriented femmes. They understand and respect fashion not for the superficial aesthetic, but the power of expressing a reflection of your inner self.

{The Talented, Multi-Tasking AZZA Team: From top left—Karla Pope, Director of Publicity and Editor at Parade Magazine / Zeenat Desai, Brand Manager who Spends Her Days Working at a Top Media Company / Roma Shah, Fashion Consultant and Executive at YSL / Jeanette Robinson McWilliams, Director of Marketing- came to AZZA after 8 years at Rachel Roy / Sarah Khan- Production Coordinator}

My team is a great reflection of the AZZA woman – I have assembled a group of extremely strong, young, career-oriented women on the business end to surround myself in areas that I do not excel in and just help me take AZZA to the next level.

LDV: What is your favorite piece in the collection?
ADV: My favorite piece in my collection is 8 yards of silk-chiffon in a classic cream/nude with a mix of rock stud, spike, Swarovski and star embellishments on the collar. This was actually also the first piece I tailored in the collection and also hand-embroidered myself. It was really surreal to see AZZA come to life with this piece and is a true reflection of my personal style. I can also see this as a simple “day to evening” piece –just throwing a blazer over this piece will make it work/lunch appropriate; in the evening, a chignon, smoky eyes and a pair of statement heels can totally turn this into a red carpet ready look. After the line was fully completed, this one still is my favorite.

LDV: What has been the most challenging aspect of starting your own fashion line?

ADK: The most challenging part of doing this line was balancing my time and priorities. I actually did the collection in tandem with my 9 to 5 day job as a Consumer Marketing Specialist for a Fortune 500 company, while releasing a major award-winning documentary to AMC theaters (Fordsonthemovie.com) for a private marketing client (it released 2 days before the big show), planning the MBFW show itself, establishing the AZZA brand, and moving and furnishing/decorating our newly purchased home! I am not sure how I made it out of these past few weeks in one piece.

LDV: What has been the most rewarding part of starting Atelier AZZA?

ADK: The most rewarding part is just seeing it come to life on the center stage of a fashion authority such as MBFW. It is surreal that for the past 4 years I have attended NYFW in the rows and this S/S 2012, it was my personal brand and vision on the catwalk. Also, within 4 days of the launch this past Monday, I had write-ups in my "go-to" fashion publications that I went to for news and advice, including Vogue India, Wall Street Journal, Refinery29 (and now LDV!). If I had one word to describe this whole situation, it would be "humbled." This is really a true example of just strategizing your vision with a good business model + differentiated creativity to bring a concept to reality.

{Whether she’s on duty or off, Azeeza always looks impossibly chic.}

LDV: Which celebrity would you most like to dress in AZZA?

ADV: I think AZZA is versatile and adaptable to subjective style. That said, I can see the following fashion icons donning an AZZA piece – if I’d ever be so fortunate:
Olivia Palermo. Victoria Beckham. Michelle Obama. Blake Lively. Katie Holmes. Kim Kardashian. Charlize Theron.

 

To learn more about Atelier AZZA visit the official website. To keep up with this stylish and talented group of ladies as they delve into the world of fashion, follow Atelier AZZA on Facebook and Twitter.

{Runway Photos by Errol Dunlap}

Dream Home: StudioTen25

Today, the lovely and talented Abbe Fenimore, interior designer at the Dallas-based firm StudioTen25 and proprietress of ShopTen25 is sharing her fabulous “Dream Home” with us. Abbe stays busy dealing in all aspects of design, whether she is decorating a space for a client, running her stylish shop, or blogging on a daily basis. Enjoy!

I have been a fan of LDV's Dream Home series for a long time and am excited to share mine today. I'm a southern girl born and raised in Arkansas and now live in Dallas, Texas with my husband and two bird dogs. I am a girly girl all the way when it comes to interiors, but after being married to Dru (golfer, hunter and fire pit junkie) for almost 4 years my idea of a "dream home" have changed a bit.

I love our current home but I have always dreamed of living in a Texas modern style house with a huge yard for the dogs and plenty of trees. These two houses are in a nearby neighborhood and we always drive by them on the way to the dog park.

Image Via: Matthew Nichols

 

Image Via: Hill Country House

Our current house does not have a true entry so I would love a place for a large console, graphic wallpaper and place to sit down to put on shoes before we leave for the day. I love the soothing feel of this room, it would be wonderful to come home to after a long day.

Image Via: My Forever File...Source Missing

The main living room would be colorful and chic but still comfortable. I have always wanted a rich jewel toned sofa and a room full of personal accessories. Fun chairs for lounging and plenty of places to put your feet up are also on the list. The living room must have a wood burning fireplace, that is where we spend our short Texas winters.

Image Via: HGTV

Image Via: Woodson and Rummerfield

We are in the kitchen a lot and we always end up hanging out but our current home doesn't have much seating for chatting. I want a bright kitchen that has an open floorplan, plenty of room to hang out and easy access to the back yard.

Image Via: HGTV

If we had room in our kitchen, I would love to have a small dining area that still keeps you in the action. The formal dining room would be glamourous, colorful and would include a huge sparkly chandelier!

Image Via: Pink Wallpaper

Image Via: The Glam Lamb

My dream home would have a couple of powder baths for guests to freshen up. There is nothing worse that a guest having to use the master or guest bathroom because we live in a small 1950's ranch. Plus, it is a great opportunity to rock them out with gorgeous wallpaper and lighting!

Image Via: Houzz

Image Via: New Ravenna

The master suite would be swanky and a cozy place to cuddle up after the hectic day. My perfect master has luxurious fabrics, mirrored furniture and plenty of room for a sitting area too! My husband and I do not share a bathroom because of space so it would be nice to have everything located in one room. I want the bathtub to the be the center of attention in the bathroom and an outdoor shower would be perfect for the hubby to rinse off after doing the yard work.

Image Via: The Zhush

Image Via: Img Fave

Having a sitting room just off of the master bedroom as a "nook" would be so nice. We both love our space, but also like to be near each other so this would be perfect to reduce the yelling/talking across the house to each other. I love this room from Kelly Wearstler because it has masculine and feminine pieces that are appealing to both of us.

Image Via: Kelly Wearslter

The master closet would be organized and have plenty of space to get dressed. My side, his side and the middle island make for a perfect master closet.

Image Via: Inspired by this feeling

I have always wanted a home with more than one guest room. I love having visitors and setting up the guest rooms like a boutique hotel would be fun! The guest rooms are also an opportunity to bring in colors and fabrics that we are not going to use in the master.

Image Via: Lonny Mag

Image Via: Decor Pad

My home office would be over the top girly glam with lots of pink and great art! A colorful sitting area would also be a must for the room.

Image Via: Elle Decor

And last but not least, the backyard. When the Texas heat moves out, we spend tons of time on the back porch with the dogs and my husband loves lighting up the grill and the fire pit. I guess you could say this "room" is what makes me the happiest. I love seeing my husband with his grizzly adams winter beard and watching the dogs enjoy the sunshine, it is the ultimate "Thank you God for my life" type of place.

Image Via: Susan Cohen Gardens

Image Via: BHG

Image Via: Room & Board

Feature your business on La Dolce Vita!

Are you interested in reaching more potential customers for your business? Ad space is now available on La Dolce Vita now through the end of 2011. On La Dolce Vita, you’ll share your business with your target audience and reach thousands of readers each day. The holiday shopping season is just around the corner, making this an ideal time to promote your company! Our ad rates keep small businesses in mind. Please contact me at paloma@ladolcevitablog.com for more information.

This Week’s Quote

{Image Source}

Nate Berkus Associates on One Kings Lane!

Set your alarm clocks, ladies! Utra-stylish duo, Lauren Gold and Sasha Adler, co-design directors for Nate Berkus Associates are having a Tastemaker Tag Sale on One Kings Lane tomorrow morning. The design darlings are responsible for leading the team at Nate Berkus while delivering his signature style that so many of us have come to love. These two women are an inspiration to me. Not only are they impossibly chic—they are also powerful career women making a name for themselves in the vast design industry. It seems everyone has taken note of their fabulous style as they’ve been popping up everywhere lately!

{We featured Sasha and Lauren in our “Stylesetters’ Must-Haves” Feature in the last issue of High Gloss Magazine.}

{Lauren Gold’s Stunning Home was featured in Lonny’s July/August issue.}

{You may recall seeing Sasha Adler’s gorgeous bedroom in House Beautiful last year. I love the fabulous mix of furniture. The color palette is so luxe!}

 

If you are as in love with Sasha’s fabulous yellow headboard as I am, then you’ll be happy to know that it will be part of tomorrow morning’s Tastemaker Tag Sale along with several other chic items.

{Antique Mirror-Framed Headboard}

 

{Brass Sputnik Chandelier}

{Gray and Ivory Custom Setee}

{Italian Gilt Metal Headboard}

{Ivory Lounge Chair}

{Large White and Black Bookcase}

{Mid-Century Brass Lamps}

{Oscar de la Renta Ikat Frames}

{Ramille Ocassional Table}

 

Don’t miss this fabulous Tastemaker Tag Sale on One Kings Lane tomorrow morning, Saturday, September 17th!