The 38th edition of the International Fashion, Accessories, and Photography Festival in Hyères, France, wrapped up on October 15 with accolades at Villa Noailles. The fashion competition featured a diverse array of collections from finalists, all marked by exceptional quality, innovation, and a strong vision. Ultimately, the prestigious Grand Prix Première Vision and the city of Hyères award went to Belgian designer Igor Dieryck for his remarkable ‘Yessir’ collection, which seamlessly combined product excellence, creativity, desirability, and storytelling.
Dieryck’s collection drew inspiration from the captivating characters one might encounter in a hotel lobby, a world he knew well from his past work as a hotel receptionist. His creations ranged from charming bell-inspired jackets to high-waisted trousers and avant-garde oversized jeans creatively attached to formal trousers. Each piece displayed mature reflection and featured subtle, whimsical details that added a fashionable edge.
In addition to his apparel, Dieryck excelled in accessories, including glasses inspired by champagne corks, sneakers integrated into lace-up shoes, and gloves seamlessly attached to handbags. His fashion philosophy prioritizes wearability and desirability, earning him the 19M prize for craftsmanship excellence introduced by Chanel in 2019.
At just 24 years old, Igor Dieryck, originally from Arlon near Luxembourg, is a graduate of Antwerp’s Royal Academy of Fine Arts. He gained valuable experience during a six-month internship at Acne Studios before moving to Paris and joining Hermès as a junior designer.
The Hyères Festival, under the leadership of founder Jean-Pierre Blanc and chair Pascale Mussard, also recognized Swedish designer Petra Fagerstrom, who received the Atelier des Matières prize and the Mercedes-Benz prize for sustainable development. Fagerstrom’s ‘Flying Grandma’ collection paid homage to her grandmother’s past as a Soviet parachutist, featuring creatively transformed military surplus items into oversized outfits and pleated country-style dresses with scenic prints.
In the accessories category, the main prize was awarded to Gabrielle Huguenot, a Swiss-born designer based in Zurich, celebrated for her unique fusion of glam, baroque, and punk influences. Huguenot’s creations are rooted in a mythological world centered around an imaginary snake woman, offering a sense of escapism.
The festival also celebrated Victor Salinier, a French designer who received the Hermès accessories prize and the public’s prize for his inventive headscarf design.
The 38th edition of the festival showcased an exciting group of emerging designers with a strong commitment to sustainability. While their collections showcased creativity and artistic expression, they also reflected a sense of uncertainty, with elements such as cage dresses, corsets, and masked faces, echoing designers’ concerns about the world around them.
