GRAND PRIX WINNER
​​​SIMON PORTE JACQUESMUS
SIMON PORTE JACQUEMUS IS A FRENCH FASHION DESIGNER, BORN ON JANUARY 16, 1990, IN THE VILLAGE OF BRAMEJEAN, NEAR MARSEILLE, FRANCE. HE IS THE FOUNDER OF THE LUXURY FASHION LABEL JACQUEMUS, WHICH HE ESTABLISHED AT JUST 19 YEARS OLD. JACQUEMUS HAS CAPTIVATED THE FASHION WORLD WITH HIS INNOVATIVE TAKE ON FRENCH STYLE, USING BOLD SILHOUETTES, PLAYFUL PROPORTIONS, AND A DISTINCT MEDITERRANEAN INFLUENCE.
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EDUCATED AT ESMOD FASHION SCHOOL IN PARIS, JACQUEMUS BECAME A RISING STAR IN PARIS' FASHION SCENE. HIS COLLECTIONS HAVE EARNED PRAISE FOR THEIR YOUTHFUL, AVANTGARDE APPROACH AND SIMPLICITY, OFTEN INSPIRED BY HIS UPBRINGING IN THE SOUTH OF FRANCE. AT 34 YEARS OLD, JACQUEMUS CONTINUES TO SHAPE CONTEMPORARY FASHION WITH HIS DECONSTRUCTED YET ELEGANT PIECES, AS WELL AS HIS EXTRAVAGANT FASHION SHOWS, WHICH ARE FREQUENTLY SET IN SCENIC NATURAL LANDSCAPES.
"VISIONARY FRENCH DESIGNER SIMON PORTE JACQUEMUS HAS LEFT AN INDELIBLE MARK ON THE FASHION INDUSTRY THROUGH HIS INNOVATIVE AND CREATIVE APPROACH TO DESIGN, STORYTELLING AND MARKETING. NOMINATED TWICE FOR THE LVMH PRIZE FOR YOUNG DESIGNERS AND WINNING THE SPECIAL JURY PRIZE IN 2015, JACQUEMUS HAS CONSISTENTLY PUSHED THE BOUNDARIES OF CONVENTIONAL FASHION. KNOWN FOR HIS MINIMALIST AND SURREAL DESIGNS, SIMON HAS GAINED ACCLAIM FOR HIS HIGHLY POETIC SHOWS AND DISTINCTIVE STUNTS AND CAMPAIGNS, LIKE SENDING OVERSIZED HANDBAGS ON WHEELS THROUGH CITIES. SIMON DRAWS INSPIRATION FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCES, NOTABLY HIS DEEP CONNECTION WITH HIS MOTHER AND MEDITERRANEAN LIFESTYLE. THIS EMOTIONAL LAYER ADDS A UNIQUE AND HEARTFELT DIMENSION TO HIS CREATIONS, ELEVATING THEM BEYOND MERE GARMENTS TO WEARABLE STORIES."
- ANITA TILLMANN, FASHION ENTREPRENEUR