In collaboration with Net-a-Porter and Farfetch, Elbaz will debut his new label, AZ Factory, with an immersive virtual experience and a digital talk show, complete with VIP guests
On January 26, not only will Net-a-Porter and Farfetch unveil the hotly-anticipated AZ Factory, fashion designer Alber Elbaz's newest collection, developed in collaboration with Richemont and touted as a "brand based on innovation, technology, and, above all, a place to experiment and try new ideas," the luxury digital retail portals will also debut a virtual experience called The AZ Factory World Tour as well as The Talk Show With Alber Elbaz & Friends.
Yes, that's right, the delightful Elbaz is getting his very own talk show! At last.
"I’ve dreamt for years about a fashion reset... and that dream is even more relevant today at a time when people cannot be together," Elbaz said in a statement. "The world is changing fast, and we are all adapting to new behaviors and emotions. This dreams factory is focused on developing real solutions for today’s women. It is a product-focused and a communications-focused project, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to bring it to the world in a fabulous, entertainment-driven way with two of the leaders of the digital luxury world, Farfetch and Net-A-Porter."
Elbaz, the former longtime creative director of Lanvin and, previously, creative director of Yves Saint Laurent, is no stranger to the camera. His affable, approachable nature has long made him a fashion media favourite.
Related: See photos from a Lanvin private dinner in Hong Kong in 2013
“Alber’s vision for AZ Factory is truly original," said Net-a-Porter Chief Marketing Officer Sheena Sauvaire in a statement. "He has created a wholly new approach to launching a brand at a time when our industry is evolving and consumers are looking for escapism. With a shared belief that fashion should be joyous and uplifting, he captured our imagination to create The Talk Show with Alber & Friends, an irreverent spin on an analogue TV format inviting VIP guests to discuss what makes us happy through the themes of fashion, science and body positivity."
The Talk Show With Alber & Friends will livestream from Paris on Net-a-Porter's Instagram and YouTube channel at 3 p.m. Paris time, January 27.