The Importance of Festival d'Hyères and the 2023 Winners
The Festival d'Hyères has served as a launching pad for countless creative minds, with more added to the roster this week as the festival's 38th edition recently unveiled this year's winners. While these winners take centre stage, a place they have earned through their phenomenal work, it's important not to overlook the other finalists who left their marks on the spectacle.
Graduate of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Igor Dieryck, eemerged as the big winner at the 38th Hyères International Festival of Fashion, Photography, and Accessories. He claimed the prestigious Grand Prix du Jury Première Vision, the Prix 19M Métiers d'art, and the Prix du Public. Dieryck's MA collection, YESSIR, delves deep into societal and political issues through the lens of fashion. Inspired by his own experiences working in a hotel, his collection explores the rules and symbolism of uniforms, dissecting how these garments influence the wearer's relationship with the world. His vision helps us dress for a new age in fashion, but he's not the only one challenging societal norms through dress.
Finnish finalist Leevi Ikäheimo captivated the audience with his imaginative creations, drawing inspiration from anatomical schemas and early 2000s rave culture. His 'muscle raver’ suits serve as a satirical commentary on the body images imposed by society from an early age. Blurring the boundaries between flesh and textiles, Ikäheimo's work aims to promote a more inclusive fashion world.
Portuguese designer Tiago Bessa is another finalist worth keeping an eye on. Their graduation collection passionately delves into the concepts of gender and inclusion, opening up new paths for young generations in their journey of discovering self-identity. Having interned at Viktor & Rolf, Bessa's work aims to challenge conventions in the fashion industry as their mentors did.
In the photography category, the festival showcased an array of brilliant artists who used their lenses to tell compelling stories. Photographer Thadde Comar was awarded the 7L Photography Grand Jury Prize for his project How was your dream? which documented the protests and tensions on the streets of Hong Kong in 2019, a pivotal moment in history, when citizens protested a government proposal to allow extraditions to mainland China. Senegal photographer Souleymane Bachir Diaw explored the themes of masculinity and strength in his compelling work, which earned him the American Vintage Photography Prize. As a self-taught photographer, he uses the medium for personal transformation and as a means of sharing his unique perspective. Chinese photographer Kin Coedel was the recipient of the Public Prize. His photo series, Dyal Thak captures the essence of daily life with remarkable sensitivity in Tibetan communities.
The Accessories winners were also given the opportunity to bring their innovative and artistic visions to life through design accessories. At the festival, Gabrielle Huguenot's collection Artificial Flowers Need Water, Still stood out, earning her the title of Accessories Competition winner. Christiane Schwambach from Germany received a Special Mention from the Accessories Jury for her Fragment bags made from recycled plastic. The Hermès Fashion Accessories Prize was awarded to the talented French designer Victor Salinier, who impressed jury with his leather architectural designs.
