Wataru Tominaga wins grand prize at Hyères Festival 2016

Designer Wataru Tominaga has been named the winner of the Première Vision Grand Prize at the 31th edition of the Hyères International Festival of Fashion and Photography in France.

The 28 year old designer, who graduated from Central Saint Martins last year, beat 9 other international designers competing for the grand prize, a scholarship which is valued at 15,000 euros. “I want to have a bit more fantasy in clothes, especially in men’s wear,” said Tominaga to WWD. His winning collection, which featured pleated sleeves, cotton shirting and dyed corduroy trousers, was inspired by a wide range of designers ranging from Madame Grès to the German brand Bless.

It is lighthearted take on men’s wear silhouettes which said to have left an impact on the judges. “It’s unbelievable what he does, the way he mixes prints and constructs volumes. He’s like a young Issey Miyake,” said Julien Dossena, Paco Rabanne’s creative director for women’s wear, who governed over the fashion jury to WWD. “He has a very pop and constructed universe.” Other members of the jury included designer Pierre Hardy, jewellery designer Charlotte Chesnais and Tomoko Ogura, senior fashion director for Barney’s New York.

The Hyères International Festival of Fashion and Photography has acted as a platform for many influential designers over the years, including Anthony Vaccarello and Viktor & Rolf. “It’s a great opportunity to meet many people. I want to find a job in men’s wear, something playful. I like Bernhard Willhelm, Walter Van Beirendonck and Craig Green,” added Tominaga. In addition to winning the grand prize, the young designer have been given the opportunity to work with specialty ateliers which Chanel oversees through its Paraffection subsidiary - a prize also valued at 15,000 euros.

Other winners of the festival included Finnish duo Hanne Jurmu and Anton Vartianen, who were awarded 15,000 euros by Chloé, a main partner of the festival during the last five years and Vendula Knopia from Czech Republic who was awarded the Grand Prize winner of Photography.

Photos: Villa Noailles, Hyères - Facebook