Olivier Theyskens, artistic director for major brands

Nicole Kidman, Emma Watson and Jennifer Aniston: these stars have at least one thing in common … Olivier Theyskens! They have all worn his creations. The designer has flourished in the fashion world and put his modern, chic and sensuous mark on it.

Olivier Theyskens was born on 4 January 1977 in Brussels to a French mother and a Belgian father. He started the Ecole nationale supérieure des Arts visuels de la Cambre in Brussels at age 20. But he quit his studies to devote his time to his brand Olivier Theyskens. He first gained recognition for his women's prêt-à-porter line in Belgium, then at Fashion Week in Paris. His collection was very successful and even caught Madonna's eye. She wore one of his creations at the Academy Awards.

Olivier Theyskens joined Rochas as artistic director in 2002. He stayed with the fashion house four years and strengthened the brand's image. He received two awards for his work:  Fashion Group International's Star Award (2005) and the Council of Fashion Designers of America's (2006) best international creator award.

He then became artistic director at Nina Ricci in 2006. He also worked with Andrew Rosen, the founder and creator of the New York brand Theory. Together, they created a very successful capsule collection. In November 2009, the Franco-Belgian designer was promoted to the position of artistic director, which he held until 2014.

Based on this wealth of experience, he relaunched his eponymous brand in 2014. One year later, the fashion museum MoMu in Antwerp showcased the designer's career in the exhibition Olivier Theyskens - She walks in beauty. Olivier Theyskens became Azzaro's new artistic director in 2020.

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