38th Hyères Festival 2023: A Glimpse into Fashion, Photography, and Accessories

The Hyères international festival is back for its 38th edition, showcasing the best in fashion, photography, and accessories. This year, it starts on Thursday, October 12th, and culminates in an award ceremony on October 15th. All of this grandeur will unfold at the iconic Villa Noailles, which is marking its 100th anniversary this year.

Fashion:

- 30 talented finalists, with 10 in the fashion segment, will be competing for various accolades. Last year, the fashion category was swept by Jenny Hytönen. This year's noteworthy participants include Fengyuan Dai and Norman Mabire-Larguier from France.

- Awards up for grabs include the coveted Grand Prix Première Vision, the 19M craftsmanship excellence prize, the Mercedes-Benz sustainability award, and the Chanel-sponsored Atelier des matières prize.

- Sterling International, a new sponsor this year, specializes in fashion, retail, and luxury goods recruitment. They're adding value by offering coaching and mentorship for the Grand Prix winner.

Accessories:

- 11 designers, with a French-Spanish duo included, are shortlisted for the accessories awards. Four of these are from France: Mathilde Hiron, Thomas Manil, Victor Salinier, and the duo of Marcel Mariotte & Jovien Panné.

- Petra Fagerstrom, from Sweden, and Victor Salinier of France, both finalists, had previously been recognized at the ITS competition in Italy. Notably, Salinier had clinched the ITS Responsible Creativity award.

Photography:

- 10 finalists, including notable names like Clara Chichin and Quentin Lacombe from France, are vying for the 7L Photography Jury Grand Prix. This new award title is sponsored by the 7L Bookshop, a venture started by Karl Lagerfeld and later acquired by Chanel.

- Other photography awards have the backing of the French brand American Vintage and production houses Sheriff Projects and Kitten.

Juries & Masterclasses:

- On October 15th, three distinct juries for fashion, photography, and accessories will decide the winners. The juries are chaired by luminaries: Charles de Vilmorin (fashion), Alan Crocetti (accessories), and Luis Alberto Rodriguez (photography). All three will also conduct masterclasses, enriching the festival's offerings.

Additional Highlights:

- A variety of events are scheduled, including exhibitions (available until January 14, 2024), concerts, film viewings, workshops, and the 22nd ‘Rencontres internationales de la mode’ by the French Fashion and Haute Couture Federation.

- Special discussions on generative AI will delve into new tools, ethical dilemmas, and the innovative possibilities AI presents.

- An exclusive exhibition, 'Hyères, 1986. The fashion festival's origins', will illuminate the festival's past. It will be hosted at Villa Romaine, showcasing a rich collection from the event's inception.

- In honor of Villa Noailles' centenary, the festival will spotlight the viscountess de Noailles. A dedicated exhibition and documentary will recount her support for artists in the 1930s and her influence on 20th-century European culture.

The festival promises an immersive experience, blending history with current trends, and celebrating fashion, photography, and accessories at their finest.