The Hyères International Fashion and Photography Festival

For striving young creatives, the Hyères International Fashion and Photography Festival is one of the calendar’s most significant opportunities – a five-day event that includes round-table discussions, exhibitions and an all-important contest. Photographers, stylists and accessory designers compete for the opportunity to present their work to a panel of professionals, in a competition that is closely observed by the fashion industry; the results can make a career. The 32nd edition of the festival takes place this weekend in the inspiring setting of Villa Noailles, a light-filled, modernist house overlooking the bay of Hyères in south-eastern France. Among the hopeful designers are Alexandre Girard, who designs practical, elegant bags for men; Wendy Andreu, an alchemist who turns water-repellent latex and cotton rope into stylish totes; and Noemie Nivelet, whose innovative, graphic jewellery is designed to be fixed to one’s shoes. This year’s exhibition of dreamy charcoal sketches by shoe designer Pierre Hardy is another highlight.

The Hyères International Fashion and Photography Festival runs from 27 April to 1 May. villanoailles-hyeres32.com/