Lubov Azria

Biography

Lubov Azria was born on November 8, 1967, in Kiev, Ukraine. Growing up as an only child, Azria studied ballet from an early age and eventually trained with the renowned Bolshoi Ballet youth division.

In 1980 her parents relocated to San Antonio, Texas, United States, where Azria further explored her passion for the arts. In 1986 Azria moved to Los Angeles, California, where she obtained a degree from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising.

Career

Azria joined BCBG Max Azria Group in 1991 after a mutual friend referred her to the company's founder, and her future husband, Max Azria. As chief creative officer, Azria leads the company's design team and oversees marketing and merchandising for the group's more than 20 labels, which include the core brand BCBG Max Azria and the high fashion labels BCBG Max Azria Runway, Hervé Léger and Max Azria. Of her close working relationship with her husband, Azria explains, "We're a great combo. Max is the visionary, and I'm more detail-oriented. It creates the perfect balance."

Azria is often called the muse of BCBG Max Azria Group, being the design inspiration for her husband and even insisting on fitting the pants on herself. She defines style as "grace, confidence and effortlessness," and describes her personal style as "independent, free and chic."

In 2006 Azria and her husband debuted the collection Max Azria, and BCBG Max Azria, in two shows during New York Fashion Week. In February 2008, the couple added the brand Hervé Léger by Max Azria to their lineup, marking the first time in history that an American designer produced three different fashion shows during one New York Fashion Week. After each show, Azria, typically dressed in one of the collection's looks, joins her husband on the runway to address the audience.

Azria partnered with perfumer Sarah Horowitz-Thran to create BCBG Max Azria's first fragrance, called Within, which launched in stores across the United States in November 2009. Azria was involved with the development of the scent, and Horowitz-Thran calls her the inspiration behind it. Azria's image is on the packaging as well as the bottle she says, "because this is something that I feel strongly about. There is a real person behind the vision."

Azria uses social media to connect with customers. "You don't always have to be right," she has said, "but you have to be focused on the customers' needs." She maintains a blog with behind-the-scenes information and creative inspiration, and she frequently updates the company's Twitter page. Azria has said that she watches "the TED conference incessantly" and that browsing YouTube is her "favorite part of the day."

In 2010, Azria was recognized for her work as a designer with membership in the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), inducted as part of its Class of 2010.

Personal life

Lubov married Max Azria on July 11, 1992. Together they have three daughters, Chloe, Anais and Agnes, and Azria is stepmother to Max's three elder children, Michael, Joyce and Marine. Azria lives with her family in Holmby Hills, California, in a 60-room mansion called la Maison du Soleil that Azria decorated along with interior designer Aly Daly, built by architect Paul Wiliams and valued at 85 million dollars.

Azria is involved with arts and charitable organizations. With her husband, Azria has co-chaired for three consecutive years the annual Art Party Benefit in support of the Whitney Museum of American Art's Independent Study Program. The Azrias co-hosted with Kate Bosworth in 2007, with Rachel Bilson in 2008 and with Camilla Belle in 2009. Azria collaborated with artist E.V. Day In 2008 for an Hervé Léger-inspired sculpture sold at auction during the event, and with artist Mark Fox in 2009 to create a limited edition umbrella celebrating the legacy of Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, the museum's founder.

Each October BCBG Max Azria partners with Susan G. Komen for the Cure to raise money for breast cancer awareness through the sale of merchandise. In 2008 the partnership's pink sunglasses and pashminas were featured on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Through the Max Azria brand, Azria has been a longtime supporter of Help Malawi and continues to sell the label's Help Malawi T-shirt on the company's website. Azria has participated in 2009s Fashion's Night Out event and 2010's Fashion for Haiti effort.