Skip to main content

Agenda-setting intelligence, analysis and advice for the global fashion community.

Inside Alber Elbaz’s Return to Fashion

With the debut of his new label AZ Factory, the storied designer is on to something unique that points to a post-Covid future, writes Tim Blanks.

Alber Elbaz launched his new line, AZ Factory, at Paris Fashion Week haute couture. AZ Factory. — Alber Elbaz launched his new line, AZ Factory, at Paris Couture Week. AZ Factory.

By

Tim Blanks

27 January 2021

Five years ago, Alber Elbaz fell so far out of love with fashion that “What next?” weighed heavy on him. One industry exec heard he was planning a move into electronics. Elbaz chokes with laughter at the very thought. “I have zero sense of technology,” he zoomed at me. “And I don’t even have a driving licence so I cannot be a cab driver.” Minus even

Please sign in to ensure you can read our agenda-setting intelligence, analysis and advice. Or get in touch at support@businessoffashion.com if you experience difficulties.

About the author

Tim Blanks

Tim Blanks is Editor-at-Large at The Business of Fashion. He is based in London and covers designers, fashion weeks and fashion’s creative class.

In This Article

Topics

Fashion Week

People

Series

Tim's Take

Organisations

Richemont

Tags

Designers

© 2026 The Business of Fashion. All rights reserved. For more information read our Terms & Conditions

More from Fashion Week

Independent show reviews from fashion’s top critics.

The Season That Was: Signals From Fashion’s Front Lines

The Season That Was: Signals From Fashion’s Front Lines

From the impact of the war in the Middle East to the future of Saks to the Kering conundrum, Imran Amed shares his intel and insight from the trenches of the latest ‘fashion month.’

The Designers and Brands That Defined the Season | The BoF Podcast

The Designers and Brands That Defined the Season | The BoF Podcast

In a post-fashion month debrief, BoF founder Imran Amed and editor-at-large Tim Blanks assess how the biggest houses are bedding in under new creative leadership at Chanel, Gucci, Dior and more.

The Top 10 Shows of the Season

The Top 10 Shows of the Season

BoF’s editors pick the best shows from the Autumn/Winter 2026 fashion season.

Fashion and the Forces of Nature

Fashion and the Forces of Nature

Nadège Vanhée at Hermès, Nicolas Ghesquière at Louis Vuitton and Miuccia Prada at Miu Miu all engaged with the natural world this season. Plus, what to make of Pierpaolo Piccioli’s sophomore show for Balenciaga.

Latest News & Analysis

Unrivalled, world class journalism across fashion, luxury and beauty industries.

Exclusive: Deciem to Relaunch The Chemistry Brand

The Estée Lauder-owned beauty company and The Ordinary parent will relaunch one of its original brands as it moves to rekindle its reputation for incubation.

Executive Memo | Navigating the Unravelling of Multibrand Retail

Wholesale remains essential for the luxury industry, but the rules of engagement have changed. Brands need to know how to minimise the risks and maximise the rewards in their relationships with multibrand players.

Why H&M’s Sustainability Report Is So Unusual

The Swedish fast-fashion retailer is one of a shrinking number of companies that’s still drawing attention to its emissions goals. Plus, a Shanghai Fashion Week preview.

The Industry That Eats Its Young

Small fashion labels have always been shortchanged by their wholesale partners. A wave of high-profile bankruptcies has turned a structural injustice into an existential crisis. There is a better way to do business, writes Imran Amed.

The Business of Fashion

Agenda-setting intelligence, analysis and advice for the global fashion community.

CONNECT WITH US ON

© 2026 The Business of Fashion. All rights reserved. For more information read our , , and .