KATIE Lee Joel isn’t the only comely female to be linked to Israeli fashion designer Yigal Azrouel.
Azrouel’s close relationship with the 27-year-old celebrity chef is rumored to have played a role in her breakup last week with Billy Joel, 60, after five years of marriage. Katie and Azrouel were spotted “dirty dancing” in Miami earlier this year, and a source told Page Six that Katie frequently opted to stay in the city near Azrouel instead of hanging out with her husband on Long Island.
A rep for Joel has said her relationship with Azrouel is “absolutely unrelated” to the split, but fashion insiders say Azrouel has quite the reputation as a fashion swordsman.
“He’s been known to sleep with fashion editors who can help his career,” a source told Page Six, adding that Azrouel has had relationships with higher-ups at both W magazine and the New York Times. “He loves to have women over for small, intimate dinner parties and to play video games. That’s his big thing.”
Added another source: “Obviously, there just aren’t that many straight guys in fashion. So when one comes on the scene, everyone lines up. And Yigal is very into the social element of the business, which is why he’s always photographed on Patrick McMullan‘s Web site and has a store out east,” referring to his boutique in Water Mill. Azrouel was previously linked to socialite Fernanda Niven.
Back in April, Joel’s rep told us, “Yigal is a friend of Katie’s. They have collaborated on dresses for her media appearances. They worked together to create designs. It’s a simple friend-work relationship.”
Both Azrouel and Katie Lee were invited to the Whitney’s Persol Incognito Design Exhibition preview tomorrow, though she has not confirmed her attendance. Azrouel could not be reached.