Taesoon Chai, a talented designer hailing from Korea, has emerged victorious in the highly coveted 2021 International Talent Support (ITS) emerging designer competition. This year’s virtual edition of the competition garnered an impressive 530 entries from 80 fashion academies across 30 countries, representing a diverse range of 60 nationalities. Chai’s collection of eight menswear looks captivated the judges with their impeccable craftsmanship and sophisticated aesthetic, ultimately securing his place as the winner.
The jury commended Chai for his meticulous exploration of volumes, cuts, and color palettes, which resulted in a collection that effortlessly blended wearability and contemporary style. Renzo Rosso, the CEO of renowned Italian fashion group OTB, announced Chai as the recipient of the prestigious OTB Award during the online award ceremony. OTB is widely recognized for its ownership of esteemed brands such as Diesel, Maison Margiela, Marni, Jil Sander, and Viktor & Rolf. Rosso emphasized the group’s unwavering commitment to nurturing emerging designers and their creative endeavors, emphasizing the valuable role that initiatives like ITS play in showcasing and supporting young talents from around the world.
This year’s theme for the ITS competition was “Costruire l’arca” (Building the ark), which not only signifies the longstanding creative environment fostered by the event but also alludes to the introduction of ITS Arcademy in 2022. Set to mark the event’s 20th anniversary, ITS Arcademy will open its doors in Trieste, Italy, serving as a multifaceted training center, exhibition space, and hub for the ITS community. The community includes former finalists, jury members, and esteemed celebrities, fostering a collaborative and nurturing environment for aspiring designers.
Alongside the overall winner, ITS acknowledged other exceptional designers for their outstanding contributions. Aitor Goicoechea Abruza and Adam Elysasse were declared joint winners of the ITS Responsible Creativity Award by Allianz, receiving a generous prize of €10,000. Hua Hui was the recipient of the newly inaugurated ITS Digital Fashion Award, accompanied by a €5,000 cash prize.
The prestigious Lotto Sport Award, now in its third edition, went to Chinese designer Qingzi Gao, while Israeli designers Tomer Stolbov and Hadar Slassi secured second and third place respectively. The award demanded designers to present their contemporary reinterpretation of the Lotto Signature tennis shoes. Gao’s design, which seamlessly merged futuristic aesthetics with retro printing techniques, impressed the jury, earning her an internship at the Lotto product development office, where she will collaborate with the brand’s design and development team on a capsule collection.
In addition to the diverse array of awards, ITS introduced the BTA-Building the Ark web series as a new initiative this year. The series comprised seven films produced by former ITS finalists, each exploring different themes sponsored by OTB, Swatch, and Allianz. The videos garnered over 5 million views online between May and October, significantly expanding the platform’s reach and amplifying its impact.
ITS Arcademy is steadily building an extensive archive, already housing an impressive collection of 18,000 design portfolios, 325 garments, 152 accessories, 103 jewelry items, and over 700 photo projects. The archive also includes special creations by three selected designers – Olivia Rubens, winner of last year’s ITS competition, Noa Baruch, winner of the 2020 Diesel Prize, and renowned milliner Justin Smith – showcasing the exceptional talents that have been a part of the ITS journey.
The 2021 ITS emerging designer competition not only celebrated the remarkable achievements of Taesoon Chai and fellow winners but also underscored the enduring dedication to supporting and nurturing emerging talents within the fashion industry. With the imminent opening of ITS Arcademy, a bright future awaits the promising creative minds who will grace its halls, poised to leave an indelible mark on the world of fashion.
Useful links:
1. International Talent Support
2. OTB Foundation
