Sylvie Ebel, a prominent figure in European fashion education, received the prestigious Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur in a heartfelt ceremony at the Institut Français de la Mode. This event, held on Thursday night, brought together friends, family, and industry leaders to honor her remarkable contributions.
Ebel currently serves as the executive director of IFM (Institut Français de la Mode), France’s prestigious institution for fashion and luxury management. The ceremony, attended by luminaries such as Nadia Dhouib, CEO of Paco Rabanne, designer Christine Phung, fashion curator Olivier Gabet, and past IFM general managers Xavier Romatet and Dominique Jacomet, paid tribute to Ebel’s 35-year-long career.
Sidney Toledano, who presented Ebel with the prestigious distinction, delivered a touching speech. He praised Ebel’s exceptional qualities, including her rigor, intelligence, and extensive knowledge of IFM, which have been instrumental in the college’s success.
Ebel, a graduate of HEC, one of France’s top business schools, began her career at the renowned department store Printemps, where she collaborated with creative designers. Her journey led her to IFM, initially based on rue Jean Goujon. During her tenure, she crossed paths with her future husband, Pascal Morand, who was then IFM’s director and is now the executive president of the Federation de la Haute Couture et de la Mode. Ebel eventually assumed the role of executive director and played a pivotal role in the merger of IFM and the Chambre Syndicale’s fashion school, a significant initiative to establish a world-class fashion college in France.
In a delightful exchange, when Toledano referred to IFM as the finest fashion school in France, Ebel interjected, declaring it the best in the world.
During her own speech, Ebel shared her joy at welcoming a new generation of students to IFM, often the offspring of former graduates. She humorously recounted how she first learned about the distinction through a text message from a friend in Japan.
In her closing remarks, Ebel expressed gratitude to her husband, acknowledging his unwavering support, and remembered her late father. She noted that her mother, though unable to attend the ceremony due to frailty, would see her wear the medal with immense pride during their next meeting, holding back tears as she concluded her speech.