Antonio Azzuolo Talks Woolmark, Womenswear and What’s Ahead

We’ve been longtime fans of designer Antonio Azzuolo. If you met him, you’d understand why. He’s gracious, charming and man, can he cut a mean suit. And with his foray into womenswear recently, we’re waiting for him to become a household name.

We spoke with him at the Woolmark Awards last night where he was nominated in the menswear category.

theFashionSpot: Congratulations on being nominated!

Antonio Azzuolo: Thank you so much! It’s a great honor and an amazing opportunity.

tFS: How much of what you did today is going to inform what you’re going to do in your next collection?

AA: I think quite a bit. There’s a definite parallel. And because of timing, and sort of direction and whatever is in the air, as the French say. We’re going to see it in Spring/Summer 2015, both mens and womens!

tFS: So you’re doing womens now?

AA: Yes, yes!

tFS: I could imagine so many women wanting to wear what you’re wearing right now.

AA: I think that was a logical progression for us because a lot of womenswear editors were always asking about where they could buy the clothing, so it just felt kind of natural for me.

tFS: I feel a lot of fashion is unisex anyway.

AA: Yeah completely.

tFS: There are no boundaries anymore, you have to make them your own.

AA: And it’s not even like blurring the boundaries. And it’s still a ways away, but it’s definitely a part of our premise.

tFS: You mentioned early that you wanted to get into partnerships. What would your ideal partnership be?

AA: You mean a business partnership? I think someone who understands, believes in the line and in what I do, and will lead the way and build the business. Whether it’s building licensing agreements or partnerships with factories, business strategies, negotiating with showrooms, building e-commerce platforms—it’s a business partner. It’s someone who believes in me, in the product.

tFS: And supports you.

AA: And supports me. Ideally understands the business, but if that person doesn’t, we can always get that person to come in.

tFS: And are you also looking for a personal one?

AA: A personal partnership? I’m open to it!

tFS: Aren’t we all?

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