July 1, 8:00 pm The 2026 Prix de l’ANDAM awards ceremony finally took place among the paths of the Palais Royal gardens. After months of anticipation, Marie Adam-Leenaerdt ultimately won the Grand Prix de l’ANDAM (300,000 euros). Pauline Dujancourt, for her part, took home the Special Prize (100,000 euros), while the Pierre Bergé Prize (100,000 euros) went to Anthony Calydon. Accessory design, meanwhile, has a new representative: Phileo and its eponymous designer, Philéo Landowski, won the Fashion Accessories Prize (100,000 euros). These four winners, selected from a total of eleven finalists by a broad jury comprising creatives and decision-makers from luxury groups, also received various forms of support.
Nathalie Dufour, interviewed earlier in the day by FashionNetwork.comemphasized the “indispensable” nature of the ANDAM Prize, which she founded nearly forty years ago.
“In these challenging times, it’s important to have this 300,000-euro prize for international designers who are looking to establish themselves in the French fashion scene,” she said, before continuing: “What I find very important are the luxury groups and partners who have joined us over the years to provide tangible support to these young designers. This approach to providing financial support and guidance has intensified over the years, from Margielathe first award-winning designer, to today, given what fashion represents in terms of soft power and revenue.”
“Providing financial support” to brands
The award’s founder noted that the winners were selected based on “the potential and creative impact of the collections presented, as well as the potential to bring this vision to life in very realistic scenarios.”
“These are independent brands that do not yet have financial partners,” she added. “I hope that funding remains substantial and that industry players continue to provide financial backing to these brands,” she concluded, as the designers bustle about at the Institut Français de la Modejust hours before the awards ceremony.
The IFM is bathed in an atmosphere that is as tense as it is joyful. As meetings and interviews follow one after another, none of the designers yet know who will win the various awards. The Summer The label, based in a studio-boutique in Paris, is participating in the awards for the second time this year. Its co-founder, Danial Aitouganov, says he’s happy to be back.
“We’ve matured,” he says, following their first participation last year. “We’ve tried to understand our products and our customers, who are curious, discerning, and looking for something original yet wearable in everyday life,” continues the designer, who founded Zomer in 2023 alongside fashion designer Imruh Asha.
This edition, Danial Aitouganov is not on unfamiliar ground. In fact, he knows Fidan Novruzova, whose booth is right across from his. Still, he can’t help but feel a little nervous. “I hope I’ll remember everything I need to say,” he smiles.
Between comebacks and a first-time experience
Just a stone’s throw away, Belgian designer Marie Adam-Leenaerdt is also making her return. After launching her label in 2023 (rather than continuing at Balenciaga following a successful internship), she went on to compete in the Prix de l’ANDAM shortly thereafter. She’s back today with more confidence, still exploring the concept of everyday objects. “I didn’t come back right away because I needed time to grow,” she says. “I needed time to lay the groundwork and deepen my understanding of my client and what she’s looking for. […] ANDAM represents all those people who have built what I aspire to build,” the designer acknowledges.
In the fashion accessories category, Fernando bonastre is competing for the prize for the first time. This leather goods designer, whose label has been based in Paris since its founding ten years ago, views the ANDAM Fashion Accessories Prize as recognition of several years of work and craftsmanship.
“There’s little recognition for accessories in fashion awards; this is the only award at this level in Paris that recognizes us,” he adds. With production based in Ubrique, Spain, the brand offers a line of bags without a specific target audience. “Bonastre is a brand that avoids labels,” insists its eponymous founder.
The last brand FashionNetwork.com met ahead of the ceremony, phileo is making its second appearance at the awards this year. “It’s a very special day because it’s the only award where you don’t know if you’ve won or not,” smiles Philéo Landowski. “It’s an incredible opportunity to meet all these big names. It’s reassuring to have an accessory award,” says the designer, who wanted to design cars before turning his attention to shoes.
“The day you stop being amazed is the end of everything. I’m lucky to be surrounded by great people and to continue being inspired by the people I meet,” he concludes.
Copyright © 2026 FashionNetwork.com All rights reserved.
Leave a Reply