The Friends of Azzedine Alaïa

The association "THE FRIENDS OF AZZEDINE ALAÏA" means topass on to future generations the philosophy of Azzedine Alaïa, his vision of the world, his values, his work ethic, his humanity.

The Association "THE FRIENDS OF AZZEDINE ALAÏA" contributes to the objective of the Foundation, to promote the work and philosophy of the couturier, and its purpose is to, both in France and abroad:

Support the Foundation, accompanying the Foundation in the implementation of its’ general approach and assisting in the pursuit of its’ activities, in particular upholding and facilitating the transmission of the values and savoir-faire of Azzedine Alaïa to talented young people in the domains of fashion, couture, and the major and minor arts.

Bring together admirers of the work and career of Azzedine Alaïa by organizing events, notably at the heart of the space where he lived and worked at 18 rue de la Verrerie, in order to promote meetings and exchanges in fashion, creation, and culture.

Organize in accordance with the Foundation, cultural or educational events around the work of Azzedine Alaïa, as well as dinners in the same vein as those given by Azzedine Alaïa in his life, in his kitchen.

Raise funds to help the Foundation to accomplish its various missions.

Represented and directed by its’ President, the Association will welcome within its main body, "THE CIRCLE OF FRIENDS", a number of Circles, around specific themes, who’s objectives will be to promote the diffusion of Azzedine Alaïa’s world.

FOUNDERS OF THE ASSOCIATION
Giovanni Frau
Philippe Ginestié
Olivier Saillard

PRESIDENT
Anna Coliva

BOARD OF THE ASSOCIATION
Giovanni Frau
Philippe Ginestié

CIRCLES
Farida Khelfa, president of the Cercle of Fashion Trades
Diana Picasso, president of the Cercle of Art and Fashion
Stephanie Seymour, president of the Cercle of Art and Design
Linda Spierings, president of the Circle of Children’s Workshop
Miren Arzalluz, president of the Circle of Fashion Heritage
Gilles Bensimon, president of the Cercle international des amis d'Azzedine Alaïa

MEMBERS « THE FRIENDS OF AZZEDINE ALAÏA »
The Association brings together, on a personal basis, members of the public who wish to contribute to the promotion of the culture of Azzedine Alaïa.

The members are required to pay regular membership fees.

The Friends of Azzedine Alaïa enjoy a number of advantages according to their category of membership: invitations to exhibition openings, to conferences and events organized by the bookshop, private guided tours and visits, free priority entrance to exhibitions, and discounts on the products sold in the bookshop.

THE CIRCLE OF FASHION TRADES is dedicated to the discovery and promotion of new talents. These high schools, which are considered vital in the transmission of trades and fashion savoir-faire and oftentimes underestimated by the great fashion schools, are valued by the Foundation which intends to restore the great dignity of their training. Through its support, the Foundation intends to promote the knowledge of cutting techniques that were embodied by Azzedine Alaïa. By identifying and rewarding each year these students coming from high schools located throughout France and abroad, the Foundation also chooses students whose social or geographical status have not always been favored. Under the patronage of Farida Khelfa, the muse and close friend of Azzedine Alaïa and president of the The Circle of Fashion Trades of the Association of the Friends of Azzedine Alaïa, residency scholarships will be offered to the most promising students, which the Foundation plans to support in their future careers.

THE CIRCLE OF ART AND FASHION, under the chairmanship of Diana Picasso, co-founder and artistic director of the jewellery brand Menē 24k, is called upon to strengthen the links between fashion and art. It aims to of underline the historical relations between fashion and art in the spirit of the exhibitions that Azzedine Alaïa has done at the Museum of Modern Art in Paris, the Villa Borghese in Rome, at the Groninger Museum, the Guggenheim Downtown or Palazzo Corsini in Florence, as well as CAPC in Bordeaux.

THE CIRCLE OF ART AND DESIGN is dedicated to the conservation and promotion of design and contemporary art which have been bequeathed to the Foundation by Azzedine Alaïa. This organization is chaired by Stéphanie Seymour, the star model, actress, art and design collector, and close friend to Azzedine Alaïa who discovered her when she was only 14. They both shared a deep passion for collecting.

THE CIRCLE OF CHILDREN'S WORKSHOPS, are centered around the practices of sculpture and sewing and are offered to young audiences from elementary and middle schools. Upon registration, small groups of students will be introduced to playful and creative learning environment focused on fashion. Linda Spierings, philanthropist and one of Azzedine Alaïa’s iconic runway models, the President of the Circle of Children's Workshops of the Association of Friends of Azzedine Alaïa, has planned for the first project to be a book illustrated by the children and based on the life of the couturier.

THE CIRCLE OF FASHION HERITAGE, is dedicated to the conservation of the historical collection. In 2013, Palais Galliera held the first retrospective in Paris devoted to Azzedine Alaïa. Miren Arzalluz, its current director, is president of the Fashion Heritage Circle of the Association of Friends of Azzedine Alaïa. This circle aims to form a comprehensive network connecting all professionals working in fashion heritage, such as the directors and curators who wish to discuss issues surrounding fashion exhibitions, while also offering workshops in order to train young talents pursuing careers centered around clothing presentation. The Circle will also promote the creation of university dissertations and theses on subjects related to the history of fashion, conservation and restoration. The Fashion Heritage Circle will award a prize to students studying the history of fashion or curators doing specific research in order to develop the discipline.