Wataru Tominaga, a talented international designer, emerged as the winner of the prestigious Grand Prix Première Vision jury at the 31st edition of the International Festival of Fashion and Photography. The event, held in Hyères, France, showcased the remarkable creativity and originality of the ten designers who participated. Led by Julien Dossena, the artistic director of Paco Rabanne, the jury carefully evaluated the designs and ultimately selected Tominaga as the winner.
The four-day festival provided a valuable platform for emerging designers to showcase their work and gain recognition in the fashion industry. Alongside Dossena, the jury consisted of esteemed individuals such as film director Romain Gavras, artists Coco Capitán and Surkin, and designers Charlotte Chesnais, Pierre Hardy, and Tomoko Ogura, the fashion director of Barneys.
During the fashion shows, Tominaga’s vibrant menswear collection astounded the jury, setting him apart from his competitors, including notable French designers Laura Boned and Clara Daguin.
In addition to the Grand Prix, the festival also featured the Chloé Prize, where finalists presented collections reflecting the aesthetic of the renowned French fashion house. Hanne Jurmu and Anton Vartiainen emerged as the winners, infusing a modern twist into the Chloé woman by combining vintage pieces with intricate macramé.
Amanda Svart earned the Public Prize of the City of Hyères for her collection inspired by the sculptures of Barbara Hepworth and the drawings of Édouard Chillida.
Before the festival began, Tominaga made a bold statement by announcing his intention to challenge traditional gender norms with his collection. His daring vision paid off as the jury was impressed by his use of vibrant colors, bold prints, and unconventional silhouettes. This recognition solidifies Tominaga’s position as a significant player in the fashion industry and grants him the opportunity to collaborate with Chanel’s Métiers d’art, particularly the prestigious houses of Lemarié and Lesage.
Tominaga’s journey in the fashion industry began with a degree in textile design from Tokyo and continued with studies at Central Saint Martins in London, where he graduated. Winning the Grand Prix at the Hyères Festival has propelled him into the league of established fashion designers and opened doors to exciting new opportunities and collaborations.
Useful Links:
– For more information about the International Festival of Fashion and Photography, visit https://www.villanoailles-hyeres.com/festival-2021?lang=en
– Explore the works of Wataru Tominaga and his journey in the fashion industry on his official website: https://www.watarutomimaga.com/
