Dolev Elron Takes Top Fashion Prize At Hyères Festival
- Dolev Elron, an Israeli designer, won the top prize at the 39th International Festival of Fashion, Photography and Accessories in Hyères, France, for his innovative collection 'Casual Turbulence' which explores themes of hyper-masculinity in menswear.
- The Hyères Festival, renowned for nurturing emerging fashion talent since 1986, has been a key platform for many now-famous designers, with the prestigious event offering significant opportunities and exposure to young designers.
- Elron's victory comes with a cash prize, a Chanel collaboration grant, and future design opportunities with ICICLE, reinforcing the festival's role as a launchpad for burgeoning designers and highlighting the promising future of fashion innovation.
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HYÈRES, France — Israeli Designer Wins Prestigious Award
In a thrilling culmination of the 39th International Festival of Fashion, Photography and Accessories, Israeli designer Dolev Elron has emerged as the top prize winner. This prestigious event, held annually in Hyères, France, is renowned for discovering and nurturing emerging talent in the fashion industry. The festival, which concluded on October 13, 2024, saw a remarkable display of creativity and innovation from young designers hailing from around the globe.
The Festival's Rich History
Since its inception in 1986, the Hyères Festival has been a cornerstone of the fashion world. Directed by Jean-Pierre Blanc and chaired by Pascale Mussard, it has consistently provided a platform for young designers to showcase their work. The festival's core is the Villa Noailles, a stunning architectural masterpiece built between 1923 and 1925 by architect Robert Mallet-Stevens. Over the years, the festival has been instrumental in launching the careers of celebrated designers such as Viktor & Rolf, Felipe Oliveira Baptista, and Anthony Vaccarello.
Dolev Elron's Winning Collection
Dolev Elron's winning collection, titled 'Casual Turbulence,' was a standout among the 10 finalists. His denim line not only demonstrated a deep understanding of menswear but also pushed the boundaries of traditional fashion design. Elron's aim was to explore the archetype of hyper-masculinity that resides in our wardrobes, creating a space for disruption. This was achieved through precisely designed zippers on khaki bomber jackets and more abstractly through distorted pockets, belts, and buttons. His partnership with the Lesage embroidery workshop produced cutoffs that exaggerated and altered a twill weave into jacquard, alongside a helixed version of a vintage Chanel weekender.
The Grand Prix Jury
The fashion jury for this year's festival was presided over by Belgian designer Nicolas Di Felice, Creative Director of Courrèges. The jury included Laura Arguelles, Director of the Textile Department at Lesage; Marine Brutti, Director and co-founder of (LA)HORDE collective; Marie Chaix, Stylist; PierGiorgio Del Moro, Casting Director; Samuel Ellis, Casting Director; Carljin Jacobs, Photographer; Théo Mercier, Visual artist and stage director; Hari Nef, Actress; Mel Ottenberg, Editor-in-chief of Interview Magazine; Julia Sarr-Jamois, Fashion Director for British Vogue; and Igor Dieryck, Grand Prix of the Jury Première Vision 2023.
Awards and Accolades
Elron's 'Casual Turbulence' collection not only won the Grand Prix but also came with a cash prize of €20,000. Additionally, he received a matching grant from Chanel to support his future collaborations. The designer will also be working with ICICLE to create a capsule collection and has been invited to fabricate fabrics from Alliance for various projects.
Other Notable Finalists
While Elron took home the top prize, other finalists also made significant impressions. Logan Goff from the USA received the Mercedes-Benz Sustainability Prize for his men's collection 'Asphalt Cowboy.' This collection fused tailoring with motorcycle racing, featuring a standout piece—a biker jacket crafted from canvas and remnants of his father's worn racing suit. Israeli finalist Tal Maslavi earned special mention for his 'Sugar' line, which focused on instant gratification. This line featured unexpected combinations like a leather jacket equipped with massage chair mechanisms, along with unconventional materials such as a temporary tattoo tee and a towel made of white chocolate.
The Future of Fashion
The Hyères Festival has long been recognized as a stepping stone for young designers. It offers not only a platform for showcasing their work but also essential support through partnerships with industry leaders like Première Vision. The festival has been supporting young designers since 2011 by inviting finalists to the Première Vision Paris show, where they can meet the best suppliers of fabrics, yarns, and accessories to help them develop and produce their collections.
In conclusion, Dolev Elron's win at the 39th International Festival of Fashion, Photography and Accessories is a testament to his innovative approach to menswear design. As he embarks on this new journey with the support of Chanel and ICICLE, it is clear that the future of fashion is in capable hands. The Hyères Festival continues to nurture talent and push the boundaries of creativity, ensuring that it remains an essential event on the fashion calendar.
