Andam unveils finalists

London-based fashion designers Masha Ma and Yang Li are both hoping to following in the footsteps of British designers Giles Deacon and Gareth Pugh after being shortlisted for the prestigious Andam Fashion Award.

The annual international prize’s judging panel have named seven finalists for the 2013 award, with handbag designer Olympia Le Tan, couturier Iris Van Herpen, menswear label AMI Alexander Mattiussi, international womenswear designers Maison Rabih Kayrouz and Pedro Lourenço, joining Masha Ma and Yang Li in the running for Andam’s 24th edition.

The seven finalists will compete against each other for a cash prize of 250,000 euros, a dedicated workshop in the Swarovski showroom to discover the “creative possibilities” crystals offer a collection, two seasons of mentoring by Renzo Rosso, president of OTB, the chance to sell their collections on luxury online boutique thecorner.com, as well as a purchase order from Canadian department store Hudson’s Bay Company, who has pledged to buy the winning Spring/Summer 2014 collection.

"Thanks to the faithful support of our partners, the 2013 competition is an exceptional edition," said Nathalie Dufour, director of Andam. "I am very proud to gather together the major actors of our creative industry to support the young designers."

London-based designers named as Andam finalists

The judges, which this year features some of the industry’s leading figures including Nadja Swarovski, executive board member of Swarovski, Sara Andelman, creative director of Colette, and Rosso, will meet again on July 4 to crown the winner.

Founded in 1989, the Andam, the French National Association for the Development of the Arts and Fashion, aims to identify emerging talents in contemporary fashion design and reward talented designers the opportunity to establish and develop their labels in France. Previous winners of the Andam Fashion Award have included Hakaan, Anthony Vacarello and most recently Julien David.

In addition, there are three finalists in the running for the First Collections Award, which includes a grant worth 75,000 euros. They are Aganovich, Calla Haynes and Christine Phung. The prize also includes an exclusive space at Galeries Lafayette’s Paris flagship, which can be utilised during Paris Fashion Week to present their collection.

Image: Masha Ma