Hyères 2009 revisited

Once again, the most promising of talents were awarded prizes as part of one of the most important festivals for up-and-coming designers. The jury was made up of top-class industry experts such as Kris van Assche, Jefferson Hack and Gert Jonkers. This year’s big winners were the Latvians, Marite Mastina and Rolands Peterkops. With their womenswear and menswear collection featuring eye-catching giant buttons and surreal figures they managed to take home not just one but two awards. The Grand Prix L’Oréal and the 1.2.3. Award not only secure them a fair amount of award money but also the production and distribution of their next collection in France. The Crystallized-Swarovski Elements Award, and as such also the award money, have to be shared by Harald Lunde Helgesen from Norway and Simon-Pierre Toussaint from Belgium. The latter was also able to win the Audience Award. As part of the festival, several exhibitions still offer the opportunity to discover quite a bit until 7 June, e.g. by Steven Meisel, Kris van Assche or Carolin Lerch/pelican avenue in C’était Hyères. For detailed programme information please visit the festival website.