In a celebration of creativity, Nolinski Paris has introduced the Nolinski Fashion Prize to support emerging talent in fashion, showcasing innovative designs from young students.
In a landmark celebration of creativity in fashion, Nolinski Paris has launched its inaugural Nolinski Fashion Prize, marking a significant milestone as part of the tenth anniversary of the Evok Collection. This initiative seeks to honor and elevate emerging talent within the fashion industry, particularly among young designers.
The prize is organized in collaboration with the esteemed Atelier Chardon Savard school and spearheaded by Nathalie Baumgartner. It stands as a testament to the Evok group’s ongoing commitment to supporting budding creators in the ever-evolving fashion landscape. The competition’s premise was both distinct and demanding: students were tasked with designing a complete outfit using a white cotton sheet generously provided by Garnier-Thiebaut, measuring 300 x 320 cm.
Sixty ambitious students embarked on this creative challenge, submitting their initial sketches, from which fifteen finalists were ultimately chosen to realize their designs. Each participant received grants that included the cotton sheet and a €50 check to assist in purchasing additional materials, setting the stage for innovative creations that would be on display at Nolinski Paris.
Beginning on March 15, 2024, the exhibition allowed public participation in the selection process through a voting mechanism using QR codes, which ran from March 16 to March 24. The competition culminated in an exciting event on March 25, 2024, when a jury of distinguished fashion experts reviewed the finalists’ work.
The judging panel comprised a notable array of influential figures from the fashion world, including:
- Laurence Benaim, a renowned fashion journalist and biographer
- Nora Bordjah, founder of “Collection Privée” and fashion editor for Vogue
- Barbara Bui, accomplished designer
- Diane Goldstein, founder and artistic director of Monoki
- Jean-Claude Jitrois, creator and designer of Maison Jitrois
- Pierre-François Le Louët, co-president of UFIMH
- Antony Vincent, cultural journalist and professor at Atelier Chardon Savard
Amid fierce competition, Elise Soulhat emerged as the winner of the first Nolinski Fashion Prize with her compelling creation—a striking asymmetrical dress inspired by the journey of a Parisian heading to the Carnival of Venice. The design melds the refined elegance characteristic of Paris with the flamboyant and baroque spirit of Venice.
“This dress embodies a transformation and a fusion of cultures, an allegory of the modern Parisian who embraces the audacity of Carnival while retaining her natural chic,” Soulhat explained. “It is an invitation to metamorphosis, an exploration of freedom and the enchantment of fashion.”
In recognition of her creativity, Soulhat received a prize that includes a €3,000 check along with a voucher for a luxury overnight stay for two at both Brach Paris and Nolinski Paris. This not only symbolizes a significant achievement for the young designer but also reflects the support and encouragement she will need as she navigates her future in the fashion industry.
The Nolinski Fashion Prize initiative underscores the Evok Collection and Nolinski Paris’s dedication to nurturing creativity and fostering innovation in fashion. As the first edition concludes, it promises to create a lasting impact on the Parisian fashion scene, paving the way for future talents to flourish in this vibrant artistic community. The journey for the Nolinski Fashion Prize appears to be just beginning, and anticipation is already building for what lies ahead in subsequent years.
Source: Noah Wire Services
