Dans la peau d'une autre...

"In another woman's skin..."

Fashion, through the eyes of designer Anthony Hamdan Djendeli, is not just about making pretty dresses for pretty girls. It's a reflection of society, pretty or ugly, a fight, an outlet for the joys and pains of being part of this world. Every step in the process, from the design, to the draping and the patterns of the garments, to the creative direction of editorial photo shoots, is Anthony's way to tell a story, his commentary on the society he grew up in, the one in which he currently lives, and the one he dreams could be a better place for all womankind.

Anthony draws inspiration from his collaboration over the years with top European designers, but his passion comes from his deep love and respect for the women in his life, and his desire to see them transformed and uplifted by the simple act of putting on a garment that makes them feel invincible.

After graduating from the top fashion school in France for pattern makers and drapers, Anthony went on to work in Paris for some of the most recognizable French fashion houses, working on ready to wear and haute couture, as well as a number of iconic Red Carpet looks.

Now, with his eponymous fashion brand, Anthony Hamdan Djendeli brings his years of experience to the Los Angeles fashion scene, making limited edition collections that celebrate of the power of femininity, and tell the story of perseverance, liberation, and self expression.

"Dans la peau d'une autre..." is about living a day in another woman's skin, and finding that what makes us different is what makes us powerful. It is about embracing different cultures and unique points of view. It is about employing the power of fashion to become who you want to be. If you are what you wear, you can transform yourself with AHD.

As a California based luxury fashion brand, AHD LA is centered around limited edition collections that are made in Los Angeles. Over the years, we have witnessed firsthand the unimaginable wastefulness of the fashion industry, and how global production lines hollow out local savoir-faire, and make us dependent on unfair and abusive labor practices. AHD LA is on a mission to transform Made in USA fashion into a local and sustainable industry. With so much demand for high-end luxury fashion all around us, we see the immense potential that Los Angeles has as a pioneer in local and sustainable manufacturing, as well as a world fashion capital.

All of our pieces are handmade by local artisans, specially trained in the art of European luxury couture, and paid a living wage so that we can support our vibrant local community.

We encourage our valued customers to demand more of their preferred logos to bring manufacturing back to America, and to cut the wastefulness and pollution of mass production and global supply and production lines. There is no reason why a shirt should be shipped around the world and back before it lands in your closet. We are here to propose a local and sustainable alternative.

With sustainability in mind, and with apologies to our international followers, Anthony Hamdnan Djendeli is only available in the US.

Born in the south of France, in the vibrant and multicultural city of Marseille, where towering mountains touch the Mediterranean Sea, son of the sweetest Tunisian mom, a seamstress, and a father from Lebanon, my passion for beauty was at first inspired during childhood by observing my five aunts. Seeing their various forms of femininity perfectly expressed in their different and distinct fashion choices ingrained in me an appreciation for the deep connection between character and aesthetic. The way I want all women to look and feel while wearing my creations, and the elegance, empowerment and femininity I strive to give to society through my work, are still rooted in the women who have made me who I am today.

Heavily influenced by some of the great designers of French high fashion, my desire early on in my career was to become a designer myself, and to lead one of those big named Parisian brands. Focussing my studies on draping and pattern making at La Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne, I would build my designing skills around learning how to drape fabrics and create patterns to bring my own sketches to life. Living and working in Paris, where the romantic, dazzling lights of the city streets contrast with the merciless, relentless rhythm of the atelier, I would create shapes out of fabric that would sometimes bewilder even my own imagination. Some of the garments that I constructed while working for celebrated designers would go on to walk red carpets, and a few would become iconic moments in the annals of fashion history.

My first experience with the seasonal repetition of fashion, which would henceforth mark the passage of time and phases of my life, was while working alongside the same designers whose work had sparked my desire for a career in making clothes. Over the better part of a decade, while working as a pattern maker and draper for brands such as Givenchy, Chloé, Balmain, Sonia Rykiel and Saint Laurent, I would encounter mentors who would shape and refine my technical abilities into artistry, one of whom would have a critical role in setting the next chapter of my life on its path to New York. There, in the city that never sleeps, I would learn to work my French savoir-faire into the fast pace and unrelenting competitiveness of American fashion, where seasons blend together into a frenzy of creation, always with an ear to the stiletto-clacking of the market.

Similarly to the endless circle of the seasons of fashion, my life has led me from my summer city of Marseille, to the autumn grey skies of Paris, and the wintry cold of New York, to now having come full circle into the endless spring of Los Angeles. Here, I have found a wellspring of creativity and infinite potential. The scenic views of mountains and beaches I have discovered here at once remind me of my origins, and ignite in me a long hidden passion to create something new and uniquely my own. My creation is born of this circle of life. It has been in hibernation - learning, preparing, reposing, and waiting for the breath of life from a city that is bursting at the seems with inspiration. Here, I’ve been drawn back to my original calling, and my first love - design.

My aspiration is to bring ethical and sustainable French fashion to California. This is not the Champs-Elysées, nor is it Rodeo Drive. My brand is what women fly to Paris especially to find, in that specific boutique they like to visit in the Marais: True, original, French couturier culture, the product of a unique creativity, expertise, and attention to detail cultivated over the centuries by the great European designers, from whom I continue to draw grateful inspiration. I believe Los Angeles, a city of dreamers so inspired by fashion, film and beauty, has the potential to be the next frontier of the fashion industry. My hope is to take part in, and contribute to, the young, fresh, artisanal movement that makes this city so unique.

To my mentors in the fashion industry, who have put their faith in me and nurtured my growth and development throughout the years, I am forever grateful and humbled to now have the chance to put all that I’ve learned into action and create something that is all my own, but which could not have existed without your unwavering support. Thank you!

- Anthony Hamdan Djendeli

Q: "What makes French fashion unique?"

A: Frech fashion is all about the fine luxury detailing. In his collections, designer Anthony Hamdan Djendeli uses pattern and draping techniques that he developed over 10 years working at the top luxury fashion houses in Paris, such as delicate French seams, refined silk binding, and gusset sleeves. Those details not only give the pieces a better fit, but also make them more durable and built to last.

Q: "Why does AHD LA make everything in Los Angeles?"

A: Since the beginning, we have always made our pieces locally in Los Angeles. LA is a city that craves fashion, which is why more top European brands are opting for Venice, California over Venice, Italy as their location for runway presentations. We believe in the LA's to be not just a global mecca for style and fashion, but also a fashion manufacturing capital, and we are proud to support and train the community of talented artisans in the art of European luxury fashion.

Q: "Where can I find Anthony Hamdan Djendeli in stores?"

A: Currently, we are partnered with Wolf & Badger to present in their boutique in West Hollywood, CA at 8500 Melrose Ave. We will cotinue to update as we become available in more locations. In the meantime, don't forget to subscribe to our mailing list for updates and events.

Our Commitment

At Anthony Hamdan Djendeli, we believe in using our platform to advocate for the rights of all women, regardless of their race, ethnicity, or socio-economic background. Today, we want to make our stance clear: we stand in defense of women's rights around the world, and we fully support access to safe and legal abortion in the United States.

The fight for women's rights is far from over. In many parts of the world, women are still denied basic human rights, including the right to education, the right to vote, and the right to make decisions about their own bodies. This is unacceptable, and we refuse to remain silent.

Here in the United States, we are currently facing an unprecedented attack on abortion rights. The recent wave of anti-abortion laws being passed in various states is not only a violation of women's rights, but it also puts their health and safety at risk. We firmly believe that every woman should have the right to make decisions about her own body and reproductive health, without interference from the government or anyone else.

As a made in LA fashion brand, we are committed to using our platform to advocate for change. We believe that fashion can be a powerful tool for social justice, and we are proud to support organizations that are working to defend women's rights and access to safe and legal abortion.

Our Actions

We are committed to using our platform to educate and raise awareness about the importance of defending women's rights. We will continue to create clothing and accessories that celebrate the diversity and strength of women, and we will donate a portion of our profits to organizations that are fighting for women's rights and access to safe and legal abortion.

We also encourage our customers to join us in the fight. We believe that small actions can make a big difference, and we urge you to support organizations that are working to defend women's rights and access to safe and legal abortion. Whether it's donating to a local reproductive health clinic or attending a rally in support of women's rights, every action counts.

At Anthony Hamdan Djdendeli, we believe that fashion can be a tool for social justice. We are proud to use our platform to advocate for the rights of all women, and we are committed to supporting organizations that are working to defend those rights. Join us in the fight for women's rights – together, we can make a difference.