Hyères festival 2026: Yui Chen is first Chinese designer to win fashion grand prix

The 41st edition of the International Festival of Fashion, Photography and Accessories in Hyères has awarded the grand prix to Yui Chen, the first Chinese designer to receive this award. The jury favoured an experimental artistic approach, combining formal innovation with positive emotion.

A Chinese designer and graduate of Parsons Paris, Yui Chen presented a unisex collection titled Food Cover. It was based on a study of architectural volumes, transparencies and pastel colours.

“Having attended the deliberations, I can tell you that the choice was quite unanimous, at least for this grand prix,” Hugo Lucchino, general director of Villa Noailles, told FashionUnited. “Yui Chen was a sculptor before she came to fashion. She questions volumes and the architecture of clothing in a different way, with a very innovative and bold proposal.”

A rationally organised festival still driven by creativity

“The jury (chaired by Chemena Kamali, artistic director of Chloé) wanted to reward a vision that brings joy with it,” he added. “A message of hope, carried by young people who ultimately believe in the future.”

When asked if there was a potential economic or political dimension to the choice of awarding a Chinese designer, Hugo Lucchino was categorical: “Oh no, that was not even mentioned during the discussions. Our jury assessed the candidates' creative ability, their vision and the emotions they convey.”

The creative freedom enjoyed by the competitors allows them to present personal proposals, nurtured by their cultural identities and often international backgrounds. “They start from their singularity, their identity. Ultimately, the collections will speak to everyone,” emphasised Lucchino.

“We are a team and we are fighting for this project with our partners and the public authorities,” concluded Valérie Duport, president of the board of directors of Villa Noailles, organiser of the International Festival of Fashion, Photography and Accessories of Hyères. “Believe me, when I see this energy and these smiles, we are not ready to give up.”

2026 fashion competition winners are

• Fashion grand prix: Yui Chen

• le19M Métiers d’art prize: Dieter Vlasich Obermann

• L’Atelier des Matières prize: Rachel Luurssen

• Supima prize: Xiao Xu

• City of Hyères public prize and special jury mention: Brais Albor

2026 accessories competition winners are

• Accessories grand prix: Sassa Ann van Wyk

• AZ Academy prize: Daniel Cheruzel

• Public prize: Matteo Artuso

2026 photography competition winners are

• 7L Photography grand prix: Motoki Nakatani

• American Vintage photography prize: Valeria Sarto

• Pull&Bear fashion photography prize: Xueling Chen

• City of Hyères public prize: Julien Rahmani