This afternoon, the 41st International Festival of Fashion, Photography, and Accessories in Hyères, France, announced its winners. Yui Chen won the Grand Prize for “Food Cover,” a women’s wear-leaning unisex lineup that the Shanghai-based designer described as “a way of preserving childhood memories.” Developed with Montex, the silhouettes paired everyday pieces—such as a yellow lingerie dress—with a collapsible overlayer, like a tent-like structure in transparent lace or a cage of leather bows. During her showroom presentation, the designer explained that she models every piece in miniature at least once before making the actual garment, including an eight-paneled sheath dress in recycled leather that folds flat, like an accordion, into eight panels. “Fashion is the most vivid form of theater. My dream would be to create a whole universe and language, like Issey Miyake did,” she told Vogue. This year’s grand prize went to designer Yui Chen.
Other fashion winners included London-based artist and designer Dieter Vlasich Obermann (Mexico/Germany), who won the 19M Métiers d’Art Prize for a collection inspired by tiliches, or “junk,” and the handicraft it can conceal. Paris-based designer Rachel Luurssen (Netherlands) took the Ateliers des Matières Prize for a women’s wear collection informed by Hollywood glamour and coquettes mixed with the idea of fading beauty and body dysmorphia. Paris-based designer Xiao Xu (China) won the Supima Prize for a men’s wear collection called Uncanny, based on latex, ’70s fetish culture, embroidery, and knitwear. Both a special mention and the Public Prize went to Brais Albor Rodriguez (Spain) for a collection that improbably and wittily fused the idea of squirrels—through shearling sourced on Vinted—and cojones.
Other Grand Prize winners were Sassa Ann van Wyk and Motoki Nakatani for Accessories and Photography, respectively. Chen will receive support from Chanel, the festival’s long-term Grand Partner; new Grand Partner le19M and its 10 maisons d’art; and grants from sponsors including the Atelier des Matières, Supima, and newcomer Watteau, the visual content hub. Additional support will come from Les Teintures de France, the Alliance for European Flax-Linen & Hemp, and Richemont’s AZ Academy, among others. All fashion laureates will be showcased by Première Classe during Paris Fashion Week in March and October 2027.
As in studios everywhere, renewal is in the air at the Villa Noailles. This year’s motif, a racing flag with a star on a pink-and-green checkered ground, seemed to signal that the festival is back on track. Organizers called this edition “a year of firsts,” not just because Chen is the first Chinese designer to scoop the top prize. Hugo Luccino, the festival’s managing director, also placed women at the head of every jury: Chloé creative director Chemena Kamali for fashion, photographer Camille Vivier for photography, and Danish fashion designer Cecilie Bahnsen for accessories.
They weren’t the only women calling the shots. In her welcome speech, Josée Massi—the mayor of Toulon, who this spring also became the first woman president of the Métropole Toulon Provence Méditerranée—told the 30 finalists, “You already have your place. Talent is not about one prize.” Hyères’ newly elected mayor, Véronique Bernardini—the first woman to hold that post since it was created in 1677—then opened the festivities with a riff on a famous Gabrielle Chanel line: “Trends pass but style remains… and in Hyères, audacity is never out of style.” At the reception, Massi praised the decision to bring the fashion show to the Forum du Casino, in the heart of Hyères. “This is“A renaissance,” she told Vogue. “Culture shouldn’t be elitist. We have to get as close to people as we can.” That includes the youngest generation: “I often say that the future stands less than a meter tall,” she said. “We have to go out and find them.”
Massi said she sees Hyères and Toulon as twin hubs for fashion and design, respectively. Toulon already has a satellite campus of the École Camondo interior architecture and design school, and the Design Parade could move to its Porte d’Italie district as early as next year.
Valérie Duport, who became president of the Villa Noailles in July, reported a first of her own. “I was the one who raised my hand,” she said of taking on the role. She was quick to pay tribute to France’s first fashion festival, noting that longevity matters in a business where it’s never a given. As for the future: “The Villa Noailles is a living place,” she said. “When you have that, you welcome people in.”
Speaking candidly about the challenges ahead, she said a plan was already in place to pay off some €1.3 million of debt in the next two years and start anew. This year’s installations brought together some familiar faces. Lucas Emilio Brunner—who won last year’s Grand Prize for a collection based on inflatables—returned with Standards, a well-executed lineup inspired by sports flags and ’60s Ivy League style, made in collaboration with the Ateliers de Verneuil. Among the standouts were draped striped poplin shirts, polos with contrasting trim and a coat in leather marquetry. Brais Albor Rodriguez
ARNEL DELA GENTE
Emma Bruschi, winner of the 2020 le19M Métiers d’Art Prize, headlined a collaborative straw-weaving workshop with Galerie 19M. Amaury Darras, the 2025 Accessories Grand Prize laureate, showcased Keratina Medusa, a striking Art Nouveau-inspired corset made in partnership with Goossens that combines cabinetry and jewelry-making. Adrien Michel, winner of the 2025 le19M Métiers d’Art Prize, introduced a capsule inspired by Marcel Breuer’s Cesca B34 chair, anchored by a shirt that folds out of a leather case made with Studio MTX. And Sébastien Meunier—who founded his namesake label after winning the Grand Prize at Hyères in 1998—returned with Re-Authored, a re-examination of his own creative legacy.
As part of its new era, the Villa Noailles’ doors will stay open longer throughout the year, Luccino said. Expanded programming will also build on the fashion and design festivals with museum-style exhibitions; a roster of artistic residencies is also being revived. Instagram content
“It’s the festival of creativity, a place for young talents to express themselves however they like,” he noted. “They’re the ones who are asking the questions and, above all, will inhabit and imagine the world of tomorrow.” “There aren’t always answers,” he continued. “Sometimes there are more questions than answers—but these are subjects that are here to stay. And the first signs of those artistic intuitions, you find them in Hyères.”
The exhibitions and programming for the 41st International Festival of Fashion, Photography, and Accessories in Hyères will be on through February 28, 2027. Open Wednesday to Sunday, 1pm-6pm. For more information: villanoailles.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are FAQs about Yui Chen winning first prize in Hyres
1 Who is Yui Chen
Yui Chen is a competition winner who took first prize at the Hyres event one of the most prestigious competitions in fashion and design
2 What is the Hyres competition
Hyres is an international festival for young fashion designers and photographers held annually in Hyres France Its known for launching new talent
3 What prize did Yui Chen win
Yui Chen won first prize the top award at the Hyres competition
4 When did Yui Chen win
The win was announced at the Hyres festival check official festival sources for the exact year and date
5 What does winning first prize at Hyres mean
It means the jury judged Yui Chens work the best in the competition It brings major recognition media attention and career opportunities
6 Why is the Hyres first prize such a big deal
Hyres is one of the oldest and most respected platforms for emerging fashion talent Many past winners have gone on to successful careers so a first prize there is a strong career boost
7 What did Yui Chen win for
Yui Chen won for their competition entry a collection or body of work judged by the Hyres jury See official coverage for details on the specific project
8 How is the winner chosen
A jury of industry professionals reviews the entries and selects the winners based on creativity craftsmanship and originality
9 What benefits come with the first prize
Typically cash prize mentorship media exposure and connections with industry professionals and sponsors
10 How can I see Yui Chens winning work
Check the official Hyres festival website and press coverage which usually publish the winning collections and photos
11 What can young designers learn from Yui Chens win
Strong original work and clear creative vision stand out Entering respected competitions like Hyres can open real career doors
12 Where can I find updates about Yui Chen
Follow the Hyres festivals official channels and fashion press for news and followup coverage