Botter, the fashion label founded by Rushemy Botter and Lisi Herrebrugh, has emerged victorious at the prestigious ANDAM 2022 Grand Prix. The duo was awarded a generous prize of €300,000, acknowledging their extraordinary creativity and talent. The ANDAM Grand Prix, renowned as one of Europe’s most esteemed fashion awards, has solidified Botter’s position in the industry.
The ceremony also recognized other notable designers. Robert Wun received the Prix Spécial, a special prize, while Anthony Alvarez of Bluemarble was honored with the Pierre Bergé Prize. Wun, a Hong Kong-born and London-based designer, kickstarted his fashion business in 2014. Both Wun and Alvarez walked away with a remarkable €100,000.
The event, held at the stunning Palais Royal gardens, was graced by distinguished figures in the fashion realm. Bruno Pavlovsky, President of Chanel Fashion, commended the designers’ remarkable creativity and stressed the significance of supporting emerging talent. Pavlovsky, slated to become the new President of the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode (FHCM), will provide mentorship to both Botter and Wun for an entire year.
Regarded as Europe’s most lucrative fashion award, ANDAM boasts a prize pool of €620,000. The presence of French Culture Minister Rima Abdul Malak added to the event’s prestige. The winners not only receive financial support but also benefit from Pavlovsky’s mentorship, gaining exposure to the Métiers d’art residents in 19M. This exclusive network of artisans under the Chanel umbrella exemplifies the epitome of craftsmanship and luxury.
A standout moment of the ceremony was the recognition of Anthony Alvarez, the creative force behind the popular label Bluemarble. Alvarez showered gratitude upon his team and expressed appreciation for his mother’s presence. He also received a €100,000 prize.
Last year, the grand prize was awarded to British designer Bianca Saunders. This year, the Botter duo, who recently departed from their roles as creative directors of Nina Ricci, faced fierce competition from six other candidates. Notable finalists included Lukhanyo Mdingi, the South African designer who clinched the Karl Lagerfeld prize at the LVMH prize last year; Christa Bösch and Cosima Gadient, the Swiss designers behind Ottolinger; Peter Do, an American women’s ready-to-wear brand specializing in tailored garments, launched in 2018 as a multicultural collective; Heliot Emil, founded by Danish brothers Julius and Victor Juul; and Cool TM, a Paris-based label established by Thomas Monet in 2019.
The ANDAM awards also celebrated exceptional accomplishments in fashion accessories and innovation. Dolly Cohen received the Fashion Accessories prize, worth €50,000, while French start-up Ever Dye was bestowed with the Innovation Prize, presented by Pascal Morand, executive president of the FHCM, along with a grant of €70,000.
The ANDAM award finalists will receive support from Balenciaga, offering them a selection of fabric stock. Galeries Lafayette will provide guidance on commercial strategy, and dedicated mentoring sessions will be conducted by Instagram’s Evan Chen.
With its illustrious history and standing, the ANDAM awards persist as a platform for nurturing and honoring emerging talent in the fashion industry. The recognition and support extended to designers through this prestigious accolade have the potential to catapult their careers to new heights, ensuring a dynamic and innovative future for the fashion world.
Useful links:
– ANDAM official website
– Chanel official website
