Ifeanyi Okwuadi, a British designer of menswear, has been awarded the Grand Prix of the Jury Prime Vision (Fashion), at the 36th Hyeres International Festival of Fashion and Photography.
Okwuadi is a Ravensbourne University graduate. He won the Hyeres jury, headed up by Louise Trotter, Lacoste creative director for his collection, entitled ‘Take the Toys From the Boys’, inspired by the Greenham Common Women’s Peace Camp protests about nuclear weapons.
The designer from North London, who trained on Savile Row, is currently studying for his MA Fashion Design (Central Saint Martins) and takes home 20,000 euros. He will also have the chance to collaborate with Chanel Metiers-d’art on a project worth up to 20.000 euros.
Hyeres International Festival of Fashion and Photography names 2021 Winners
Ten fashion designers from the UK and other countries were among the winners of the Hyeres Fashion Prizes this year. They displayed their collections at the festival.
A jury selected 250 entries from more then 60 countries to shortlist them. They included Ruba Abu-Nimah (executive creative director at Tiffany and Co.), Suzanne Koller (fashion director M le Monde), artist William Farr and singer Steve Lacy.
Elina Silina, a Latvian knitwear designer, was named the winner of the Chloe prize. This award challenges the finalists in designing one silhouette that is faithful to the Chloe style. Silinia is a graduate of the Art Academy of Latvia, and specializes in sustainable and upcycled fashion. She is the winner and receives 20,000 euros.
Rukpong Raimaturapong, a Thai menswear designer who collaborated with Maison Michel, a Chanel-owned milliner, to create wide-brimmed and brightly coloured interchangeable hats, was awarded the Le19M Metiers d’Arts Prize. Raimaturapong will be awarded 20,000 euros to help “make a new creative idea” which will be revealed next year at the festival’s 37th edition.
Sofia Ilmonen receives the inaugural Mercedes-Benz Sustainability Award at Festival d’Hyeres
The Mercedes-Benz Sustainability Award was also introduced this year. It rewarded the finalist for applying the lessons learned during the Fashion Open Studio sustainability mentoring sessions that were held digitally in the lead-up to the festival. The sessions were led by Orsola de Castro, Fashion Revolution’s co-founder and creative chief, and Tamsin Blanchard (Fashion Revolution’s special project curator), and focused on technical innovation. They covered everything from creating a sustainable supply chain to innovative approaches to fabric creation, recycling, and retail.
Finnish Sofia Ilmonen (MA fashion graduate, Aalto University) was chosen by the fashion jury because she used sustainable techniques in her “Same Same But Different” collection of colourful dresses made from the same square modules. Ilmonen is awarded 20,000 euros by Mercedes-Benz as the winner.
The 36th Festival d’Hyeres fashion juror stated in a statement that Ilmonen’s collection was a unanimous winner of the Mercedes-Benz Sustainability prize. Her work uses sustainably sourced fabrics and often uses vegetable dyes to create intense colours.
“Her square-shaped design minimizes fabric waste. Her approach to designing reduces the need to size and allows garments transform. Each piece is meticulously finished and her workmanship is of the highest quality.”
Adeline Rappaz, a Swiss designer of womenswear, won the public vote for her collection ‘Le temps des reves.
