Ifeanyi Okwuadi, a British designer, was recently honored with the Première Vision fashion prize at the 36th edition of the Hyères International Fashion and Photography Festival. This prestigious event, held at Villa Noailles, showcased the growing interest of emerging designers in sustainable development. Okwuadi’s menswear collection stood out among the rest, thanks to its sophistication and unique incorporation of elements from childrenswear.
Born to a Sierra Leonean mother and Nigerian father, Okwuadi’s collection drew inspiration from the Greenham Common Women’s Peace Camp. His designs featured loose necklines and barrier-like patterns, which not only added aesthetic appeal, but also revealed the inner structure and craftsmanship of the garments.
Okwuadi’s journey in the fashion industry includes apprenticeship with Savile Row tailors and studying at Central Saint Martins. His ultimate goal is to establish his own label while continuing to work for an established house and make his voice heard.
In addition to Okwuadi’s success, other talented individuals were recognized at the festival. Capucine Huguet received the fashion accessories prize for her innovative jewellery collection that took inspiration from the climate emergency. Huguet, who had previously worked at renowned luxury brands such as Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels, created rings that resembled melting ice and incorporated geometric shapes reminiscent of snowflakes.
Yann Tosser-Roussey won the Hermès Fashion Accessories prize for his pioneering concept of 3D-printed jewellery. Rayna Amuro was the recipient of the public’s prize for her delicate silver and wicker creations. Elina Silina earned the Chloé fashion prize for her experimental knitwear work, while Rukpong Raimaturapong’s virtuoso craftsmanship and exceptional use of colors and silk won him the 19M Prize for fine craftsmanship. Sofia Ilmonen was awarded the Mercedes-Benz prize for her sustainable collection, which embraces a circular fashion approach and utilizes assemble-and-disassemble squares.
The photography category also celebrated talented individuals. Emma Charrin & Olivier Muller were the winners of the main prize, while Sergei Pavlov received the American Vintage award as well as the public’s prize. Adeline Rappaz was presented with the City of Hyères award for her remarkable baroque-punk collection, which was entirely crafted from recycled materials.
The Hyères International Fashion and Photography Festival marked a significant return to normality after a pause due to the pandemic. The event was attended by both the general public and industry professionals, demonstrating the resilience and enthusiasm within the fashion and photography communities. It is worth mentioning that future editions of the festival will take place in mid-October, as Villa Noailles is undergoing renovations.
For more information about the Hyères International Fashion and Photography Festival, visit their official website here.
To explore the work of Ifeanyi Okwuadi and other talented designers, visit Première Vision’s official website here.
