Barbra Streisand wore an embroidered silk dress by Azeeza while dining with Valentino in London on July 6, 2019. The following evening, she would take the stage at British Summer Time in Hyde Park, performing for an audience of more than 65,000 people. The dress perfectly aligned with Streisand’s evolved personal style, which in recent years has favored comfort, black elegance, and the exquisite detailing she has long appreciated.
Streisand was photographed back in 1970 with Valentino when she attended one of his spectacular fashion parties at the Pierre Hotel in NYC. Some of the many photos from that evening, taken by Ron Galella, can be viewed on Getty Images. The day after their reunion in 2019, I was lucky to attend Streisand’s Hyde Park concert, where I watched from the VIP Garden section. When I turned around, I was excited to see Mr. Valentino himself, seated right behind me.
The V-neck dress Barbra chose for her dinner with Valentino, titled “The Erin,” came from Azeeza’s Spring/Summer 2017 collection. The mini-length design was crafted from 100% silk and featured short sleeves, a trapeze silhouette, and two patch pockets. Jet-black, hand-beaded embellishments decorated the neckline, sleeves, and pocket flaps.
Reflecting on her design philosophy, Azeeza Khan said, “I would say my style is minimalist but with a sense of movement. Nothing we do is overly sexy—I’m not about the super-fitted look. Everything is subtle and alluring, so while we may add a low back or a slit, it has an element of sexiness that is never overdone.” Khan also recalled the beginnings of her relationship with Streisand: “She had been shopping my ready-to-wear pieces at Barneys, and through that, we connected. In May, we started this process. I don’t think it began because she was commissioning a tour wardrobe—it was more than that. She liked my pieces and wanted to continue that dialogue.” More about Streisand and Azeeza Kahn’s collaboration can be found in this Vogue Article.
