The 11th Swiss Textiles Award was presented today on the occasion of the first Fashion Days Zurich.The 11th Swiss Textiles Award was presented today on the occasion of the first Fashion Days Zurich. Mary Katrantzou from Greece has won the fashion prize presented by the Swiss Textile Federation (Swiss Textiles) worth 100,000 Euros.

Greek-born designer Mary Katrantzou has focused on graphic art to be her area of expertise. She possesses the talent to work with form and colour, which interact in a unique fashion. Her collections are a play on the senses, with unique eye-catching patterns that flatter the feminine silhouette and at the same time express attitude and symmetry. Katrantzou has been described as the «breakout star of the digital print revolution» and has been credited of «moving as fast as pixels and ink jets can be pushed to decorate a beautiful silk dress». Her own jewellery line compliments her clothing with the same play of illusion and effect.

Her successful style is credited to the intensive and diligent textile design education she received and the experience she gathered by working for the Greek designer Sophia Kokosalaki and US fashion house, Bill Blass. Since the launching of her first collection, Mary Katrantzou’s creations are found in 30 countries and are available in over 60 select boutiques and luxury department stores worldwide.

Mary Katrantzou was born in Greece in 1983, attended the Rhode Island School of Design and graduated with a BA, and later an MA with distinction from Central Saint Martins in London. Katrantzou opened the Central Saint Martins show in 2008 and the collection mapped out her signature style. It was themed around Trompe l’oeil prints of oversized jewellery, featured on bonded jersey dresses.

International Jury takes the decision about the winner The Swiss Textiles Award has grown to become one of the world’s best endowed and most celebrated fashion prizes for talented young designers. The prize money is 100,000 Euros. This sum is intended to provide substantial support for the development of an international career and is not paid out in cash. In cooperation with Swiss Textile the winner will now decide which specific activities he intends to finance with the money (making his next collection, show production, press relations etc.). Some of the amount (10,000 Euros) will be used to purchase Swiss fabrics.

The six finalists had previously been proposed in a nomination procedure by an international team of experts from the fashion world and admitted to compete. This procedure ensures that only designers who meet the necessary quality standard can participate in the event. On the show evening, an international jury chose the winner of the Swiss Textiles Award.
POST: 2024-11-25