Vacant since the departure of Vanessa Seward in March, the post of creative director at Azzaro has just been filled again by Mathilde Castello Branco, the former right-hand woman to Alber Elbaz. Having started her new job since September 1st, her first collection for the Paris-based fashion brand will be presented in March for the Autumn/Winter 2012-13 season.

Mathilde Castello Branco (photo by Edouard Paturel)

The 39-year-old worked alongside the Lanvin designer for nearly 10 years. “I was impressed by Mathilde’s career and personality”, says Maria Reig, owner of the Reig Capital Group, main shareholder for the Azzaro brand. “Since acquiring the brand in 2006, we have succeeded in reviving it. The brand is now ready to focus on this important new step.”

After studying in Paris at the École Duperré and the Atelier Chardon Savard, the Franco-Brazilian Castello Branco is now taking the creative reins at Azzaro. Her mission will be to keep developing the house’s collections whilst preserving Loris Azzaro’s heritage in the same way that former creative director Vanessa Seward did. The latter brought a lot of success to the label, which in the space of 10 years celebrated the openings of boutiques in London and Barcelona, as well as the launch of an e-store.