A creative genius, Loris Azzaro was undoubtedly one of Italy's greatest fashion icons. His designs are well known for their balance of exuberance, anti-conformism, and unpretentious elegance.
Azzaro was born in 1933 in Tunisia to Italian parents and died of cancer in 2003, at the age of 70.Being an architect was his ambition as a young boy, taking after his grandfather. His parents could not afford the cost of the course. So instead, he studied for a degree in literature at the University of Toulouse in France. Azzaro began his career as a professor. In 1962 he abandoned his career as an academic and moved to Paris where he started up a fashion company in 1967. Unlike most designers, he did not launch his designing career by joining the haute couture bandwagon. Rather, he stole the limelight with imaginative, bright, but glamorous party dresses. In 1968 he unveiled a daring dress with cut out circles. Azzaro had made is mark in the fashion industry and started a wind of change over the catwalks.
Entering the world of fragrances, Azzaro Couture, was introduced in 1975 and became his signature scent. In 1978 Azzaro Pour Homme debuted and remains in the top 10 best-selling selective men's fragrance in France. In 1996 Chrome was released and was ranked ninth in the US. Women's fragrances are just as highly ranked, with Eau Belle D'Azzaro for women at number three in the “eau fraiche” genre. Parfums Azzaro now has a repertoire of more than a dozen different fragrances. Its latest additions include Pink Tonic, Visit For Women, Visit For Men and Jetlag.
The perfume house was acquired by Clarins in 1995. Loris Azzaro, however, remained a part of the designing process and was consulted on an informal basis. Thus, each perfume is ingrained with the original Azzaro philosophy.
Azzaro launched in 2000 a series of perfumes called Azzaro Collection, created to bring back the emblematic value of masculine perfumery. The first perfume in the Azzaro Collection was Pure Vetiver. Next year a second great classic was launched Pure Lavender, in the same time, Nicole Kidman, Liz Hurley, Sharon Stone and Laetitia Casta became permanent clients of Azzaro house. The Azzaro Collection series was closed in 2002 by Pure Cedrat another classic that blends the natural with modernity. The last Azzaro creation was launched in 2004 and carries with it the personal influence of the great artist. The perfume is called Visit for the man that is eagerly waited by women who are incapable to resist him. Under the Azzaro name in 2005 is born the pair perfume, Visit for Women, a superb floral-condimental, passionate and seductive.
In regards to perfumes, Azzaro said, “Fragrance is sexuality.” He believed that to complete a line of clothing, and give it that touch of femininity, a perfume is the final ingredient necessary. Being born in Tunisia and growing up in Italy, he said he drew much of his inspiration from the Mediterranean. The aroma of its spices, its bursts of colour and the joie de vivre of its people. Seduction and emotional appeal have always been the central theme and have long been part of the Parfums Azzaro's philosophy and are undoubtedly synonymous with each Azzaro perfume.