October 7, 2021. The sun shines on the gleaming façade of the Villa Noailles in Hyères, home to the International Festival of Fashion and Photography each year. Viktor & Rolf, Felipe Oliveira Baptista, Anthony Vaccarello… the list of renowned artists honored by this competition is long. This year, Ifeanyi Okwuadi joins the list of winners, taking home the coveted Grand Jury Prize, awarded by a jury chaired by Louise Trotter, artistic director of Lacoste.
“Take the Toys from the Boys”
And for good reason: the collection presented, "Take the Toys from the Boys", was fly: composed of seven male silhouettes, it was a true dive into at the heart of the rich and playful universe of the 27-year-old designer. From understated outfits to Impeccable tailoring reminiscent of the world of British Boy Scouts, with a big impact short shorts, bucket hats, scarves neatly tied around the neck, and socks High-rise. A collection inspired by an anti-nuclear protest movement. led by women in Great Britain between the 1980s and 2000s, such as explains the Londoner originally from Niger. It's impossible not to notice details borrowed from women's wardrobes such as quilted jackets slightly fitted or even Mary Jane style shoes.
A promising journey
Ifeanyi Okwuadi readily reveals to the press that as a child, he dreamed of becoming As a professional footballer, it is indeed fashion that irresistibly attracts him. in his net. After graduating from high school, he pursued training in textile design at Ravensbourne University in London and proved himself at Cat & The Dandy, a well-known tailor in the English capital. He then continued his apprenticeship at at the heart of British houses renowned for their technical prowess such as Gareth Pugh. The next step? A new course at the renowned art school and Central Saint Martins design school, which has seen designers like Stella McCartney, Sarah Burton, John Galliano, Alexander McQueen or, Riccardo Tisci… We can only wish him a career as brilliant as this one.
By Mathieu Clement
