British designer Ifeanyi Okwuadi took the top prize at the 36th edition of the Hyères International Festival of Fashion and Photography held in southern France for his men's wear collection featuring a new concept of classic men suits.
The 27-year-old, who apprenticed on London's famed Savile Row, the world-known destination for sophisticated men suits, won over a jury headed by Louise Trotter, creative director of Lacoste.
His collection, titled "Take the Toys from the Boys" reflects a young and comfortable style. Mostly in black, the unique suits are mainly maid of Scottish tweed embellished with scoubidou threads and car-like buttons.
The young designer inspired his collection from members of a female movement who fought against the use of nuclear weapons and missiles in the British Royal forces base in Berkshire until 2000. The 36th edition of the festival saw the participation of designers from Scandinavian countries, two Finishes and one Latvian, who boasted their creative and practical designs.
The Chloé prize went to Latvian designer Elina Silina for her long, classy white dress from her collection dominated by traditional crochet and macramé. The Mercedes-Benz Sustainability Prize was awarded to Sofia Ilmonen, known for her romantic dresses made with the square impressionistic fabric blending technique. In the Grand Prize of the Fashion Accessories, the jury headed by international shoe designer Christian Louboutin awarded the prize to French Capucine Huguet for her bracelets supporting the cause of melting glaciers.
Huguet made her collection after a visit to the North Pole accompanied by scientists in 2019, to "examine and understand" what is happening there, she told AFP.
This festival is the oldest contest for young designers in the world. The prizes it introduces were the starting point for many designers who have become prominent figures in their fields later like Belgian Designer Antony Vaccarello, artistic manager in Maison Saint Laurent, Dutch Designers Viktor & Rolf, in addition to Rushemy Botter and Lisi Herrebrugh who were later appointed by Nina Ricci, and have their own brand Botter in Paris.
