Izet Curi
Superstar Couturier.
In his early twenties, Curi relocated to Paris, aspiring to refine his craft. Initially facing hardships, his exceptional skills soon garnered attention. A meticulously crafted prototype led to his recruitment by Hermès, where he worked for four years . Subsequently, he collaborated with avant-garde designer Thierry Mugler for 15 years, contributing to the evolution of contemporary fashion. His tenure with Mugler introduced him to Azzedine Alaïa, with whom he worked from 1981 to 1988, and later returned in 1994 as the technical director of Alaïa's ateliers . In 1997, Curi joined Jean Paul Gaultier, producing his inaugural haute couture collection. Throughout his illustrious career, Curi collaborated with esteemed fashion houses such as Chanel, Chloé, Christian Lacroix, and Jean-Claude Jitrois. His designs adorned celebrities including Isabelle Adjani, Gérard Depardieu, Sean Connery, Monica Bellucci, Cindy Crawford, and Naomi Campbell . Notably, he designed uniforms for the Patrouille de France, the French military aerobatics team, over a span of 12 years.
Born on September 2, 1948, in Kosovo, Curi spent his formative years in Skopje, North Macedonia, raised by his mother alongside eight siblings. At the age of 13, he commenced his tailoring apprenticeship under the guidance of master tailor Tome Malinovski. By 14, he was crafting garments for local rock bands, and by 18, he co-managed a boutique in Skopje that attracted clientele from across Yugoslavia, including notable figures like Goran Bregović .
In his early twenties, Curi relocated to Paris, aspiring to refine his craft. Initially facing hardships, his exceptional skills soon garnered attention. A meticulously crafted prototype led to his recruitment by Hermès, where he worked for four years . Subsequently, he collaborated with avant-garde designer Thierry Mugler for 15 years, contributing to the evolution of contemporary fashion. His tenure with Mugler introduced him to Azzedine Alaïa, with whom he worked from 1981 to 1988, and later returned in 1994 as the technical director of Alaïa's ateliers . In 1997, Curi joined Jean Paul Gaultier, producing his inaugural haute couture collection. Throughout his illustrious career, Curi collaborated with esteemed fashion houses such as Chanel, Chloé, Christian Lacroix, and Jean-Claude Jitrois. His designs adorned celebrities including Isabelle Adjani, Gérard Depardieu, Sean Connery, Monica Bellucci, Cindy Crawford, and Naomi Campbell . Notably, he designed uniforms for the Patrouille de France, the French military aerobatics team, over a span of 12 years.
Committed to nurturing future talent, Curi established the Design Factory in Pristina and the International Fashion Institute "Izet Curi" in Skopje. These institutions aim to cultivate fashion education in Southeast Europe, a region he believes possesses untapped potential . As an educator, he has lectured at prestigious institutions including the Institut Français de la Mode (IFM) and ESMOD.
Curi's design philosophy harmonises modesty with avant-garde innovation. Despite his global acclaim, he identifies primarily as a craftsman dedicated to his art. His contributions have been recognised with accolades such as the BIG SEE Visionary Award in 2018 and the Europa Prima Award in 2022 .
Izet Curi's narrative is a testament to the transformative power of passion, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to excellence in the realm of fashion.
