Osman Yousefzada, the English designer of Afghan origins, has announced the signature of a licensing contract with Italian group Vaprio Stile for the manufacture, sales and distribution of his new off-the-peg brand “Osman”. The collection will be on display on the 19th of September on London’s catwalks during the spring-summer 2010 Fashion Week.

Autumn-winter collection 2009/2010 from Osman Yousefzada

For Roberto Zanetto, CEO of Vaprio Stile, this partnership is a product “of the immense talent (of Osman Yousefzada), of his clear, personal and modern vision. The essential points for this project to succeed”. Mr Zanetto know what he’s talking about. Vaprio Stile already holds licences for Karl Lagerfeld, Emanuel Ungaro, Basso & Brooke as well as for the exclusive manufacture of ladies’ off-the-peg clothing for Givenchy. The company has expertise in quality in the sector which the designer is clearly delighted with, declaring that with “Vaprio Stile, (he has) found a grand partner, thanks to whom (he will be able to) enlarge his range and build a solid, international brand.”

Autumn-winter collection 2009/2010 from Osman Yousefzada

Caroline Rush, co-president of the British Fashion Council, remarked that “this collaboration (…) is the result of the long work of Osman Yousefzada, of his elegant style and his creative capacity.” Graduating from Saint Martin's School after a stint as a banker in the City, Osman Yousefzada rapidly made himself known on the London scene. His designs, some of which are inspired by the style of Thierry Mugler and Claude Montana, reveal his talent for structured and graphic cuts. Cuts that he has not hesitated to punctuate with Afghan notes, particularly through the materials he chooses to work with.

By Jonathan Fulwell (Source: Emilie-Alice Fabrizi)