Born and raised in Paris, Joseph Altuzarra has been keenly interested in the transformative power of fashion from a young age. His multicultural Franco-American upbringing and avid interest in different facets of culture ranging from dance, film and literature to fine art and crafts make up key influences throughout his collections.
Having graduated from Swarthmore College with a major in Art History, Altuzarra gained experience within the fashion industry at Marc Jacobs and Proenza Schouler before apprenticing for master pattern maker Nicholas Caïto, further honing his technical skills in design and tailoring, before relocating to Paris as Riccardo Tisci’s first assistant at Givenchy.
In 2008, Altuzarra launched his eponymous brand in New York with the vision of building a modern wardrobe for women to feel confident and sexy in their everyday lives. His debut collection consisted of a tightly edited capsule of fifteen sensual yet assertive looks, which was snappe
Born and raised in Paris, Joseph Altuzarra has been keenly interested in the transformative power of fashion from a young age. His multicultural Franco-American upbringing and avid interest in different facets of culture ranging from dance, film and literature to fine art and crafts make up key influences throughout his collections.
Having graduated from Swarthmore College with a major in Art History, Altuzarra gained experience within the fashion industry at Marc Jacobs and Proenza Schouler before apprenticing for master pattern maker Nicholas Caïto, further honing his technical skills in design and tailoring, before relocating to Paris as Riccardo Tisci’s first assistant at Givenchy.
In 2008, Altuzarra launched his eponymous brand in New York with the vision of building a modern wardrobe for women to feel confident and sexy in their everyday lives. His debut collection consisted of a tightly edited capsule of fifteen sensual yet assertive looks, which was snapped up instantly by the likes of Barneys New York, Ikram Chicago and Dover Street Market, a remarkable feat considering the state of the luxury industry immediately following the financial recession.
Altuzarra made its runway debut during the Fall Winter 2009 season, attracting the attention of Vogue (Style.com’s Nicole Phelps said of Joseph’s first runway collection: “Altuzarra’s polished technique means he’s an up-and-comer to take seriously.”) and Carine Roitfeld alike, who wore the coat from the opening look during Paris Fashion Week two weeks later. Since then, Altuzarra has become a wardrobe and red-carpet staple alike for the confident women around the world, including Michelle Obama, Beyonce, Rihanna, Emma Stone, Jennifer Lawrence, Jessica Chastain, Evan Rachel Wood, Cate Blanchett, Priyanka Chopra and Nicole Kidman.
Having applied his singular vision for the Altuzarra woman across categories including ready-to-wear, leather goods, shoes and eyewear, Altuzarra has also collaborated with the likes of Repossi, Target, Audi and the New York City Ballet.
In 2011, Altuzarra was crowned the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Winner, receiving the support and endorsement of the American fashion industry at large. Since then, Altuzarra has received numerous accolades for his work, from Forbes’ 30 Under 30, Swarovski Award for Womenswear Design, the Woolmark Prize as well as Business of Fashion’s #BoF500 for five years running.
In 2014, Altuzarra was named by the Council of Fashion Designers America as the Womenswear Designer of the Year and in 2017 the Accessories Council’s Designer of the Year. In 2018, he received the American Image Award for Designer of the Year.
