Lucas Emilio Brunner Hyères Festival winner emerged Saturday as the Paris-based Swiss-Chilean designer claimed the Grand Prize of the fashion competition at the 40th edition. A La Cambre school graduate who most recently worked at Maison Margiela on its Artisanal collections, he impressed the jury with a pneumatic collection inspired by a collision between an Ivy League wardrobe and balloons . The award ceremony took place at the Villa Noailles garden in Hyères, France .
Lucas Emilio Brunner Hyères Festival winner explained he wanted to see how far he could take the conceptual idea of a balloon during showroom visits. Balloons came woven into a plaid check for an XXL top that squeaked with every step, lending their shapes, materials and even the recognizable knot to trench coats and tops cut from latex or denim. A clever print nodded to pinstripes but turned out to be a design made of long balloons .
Lucas Emilio Brunner Hyères Festival winner announcement came during the anniversary edition shortened to three days amid financial restructuring. The festival battled significant debt but maintained its artistic ambitions. Long-standing partners including Chanel, Hermès, LVMH and Kering continued supporting the prestigious competition for emerging designers.
Lucas Emilio Brunner Hyères Festival winner joins an illustrious list including Viktor & Rolf, Marine Serre and Anthony Vaccarello. There was even a deflated version of his first look where the material turned into an embroidery-like flurry . The competition remains the oldest fashion contest for young professionals worldwide, launching successful international careers since 1986.
