ANDAM reveals the 12 finalists of 35th edition

A crucial platform for emerging talent and a significant force in the international fashion scene, the esteemed ANDAM competition (National Association for the Development of the Fashion Arts) has honored over a hundred designers since its inception in 1989. Among them are Louis Gabriel Nouchi, the winner of the 34th edition, and Martin Margiela, its first laureate. The 32 members of the 2024 jury have just unveiled the names of the 12 finalists for this 35th edition.

For this special anniversary selection, ANDAM assembled a glamorous and cinephile jury, featuring prominent screen actresses Béatrice Dalle, Charlotte Gainsbourg, and Rossy de Palma; Guillaume Houzé, the director of image and communication for Galeries Lafayette Group and president of ANDAM; Bruno Pavlovski, president of Chanel’s fashion activities; Sidney Toledano, advisor to the president of LVMH Group; Frédéric Maus, CEO of WSN; and Michael Kliger, CEO of Mytheresa.

After two months of reviewing applications, the 32 jury members have chosen 12 finalists for the 2024 edition, an exceptional and international selection.

“On the occasion of this anniversary edition, I would like to extend my gratitude to all the  personalities and patrons who have supported ANDAM and contributed to the dynamism of its competition over the past 35 years,” stated Nathalie Dufour, founder and general director of this fashion competition. “I congratulate the finalists who, with their distinct creative visions and strategic ambitions, have impressed this prestigious jury.”

From chic streetwear to minimalist silhouettes and transgressive jewelry

Six candidates are vying for the Grand Prize of 300,000 euros and the Special Prize of 100,000 euros: the Franco-Canadian label 3.Paradis led by Emeric Tchatchoua, Scottish designer Charles Jeffrey of the streetwear brand Charles Jeffrey Loverboy, the eponymous brand of Australian designer Christopher Esber, young Brussels-based designer Marie Adam-Leenaerdt known for her minimalist silhouettes, Belgian designer Meryll Rogge, a graduate of the Royal Academy of Antwerp, and Chinese designer Ruohan Nie, a Central Saint Martins alumna heading the brand Ruohan.

The three finalists for the Pierre Bergé Prize, with a grant of 100,000 euros, are the Parisian brand Boyarovskaya founded by Maria Boyarovskaya, known for her deconstructed cuts; the chic streetwear label Pièces Uniques led by Edmond Luu; and Vaillant, a lace-loving brand founded by Alice Vaillant in 2020 during the lockdown.

Lastly, the three finalists for the Fashion Accessories Prize, endowed with 100,000 euros, include Parisian brand Hugo Kreit with its neo-gothic, slightly transgressive jewelry collection; the minimalist bag brand Maeden from the Netherlands, directed by Christian Heikoop; and the eponymous label of designer Sarah Levy, an architect and “accessory sociologist” who was awarded the Public Prize at the Hyères Festival in 2019.

“I am very pleased with the finalists selected by the jury this year,” noted Anthony Vaccarello, artistic director of Saint Laurent and Mentor of the ANDAM Grand Prize 2024, in a statement. “Through the ANDAM competition, we are proud to support these designers and look forward to meeting them on June 27.”

In late June, the 12 finalists will have the opportunity to present their projects to the jury members to impress them with their creative proposals and unique business approaches.

The five winners will receive a Swarovski trophy designed by Anthony Vaccarello, along with comprehensive support to aid their development. In addition to financial grants, they will benefit from mentorship provided by the prize’s partners, privileged access to fabric stocks from the ‘Powered by Balenciaga’ initiative and dormant leather stocks from Longchamp, coaching from Google’s ‘Ateliers Numériques’ team, and exposure at the WSN and Première Classe trade shows during Paris Fashion Week.