What happened at the 39th Festival de Hyères?

"Creative truths are always born from an excess of sensitivity", wrote André Gide, and it is precisely this vibrant sensitivity that enveloped the 39th edition of the Hyères Festival. Under the dazzling sun of the French Riviera, in the enchanting gardens of the Villa Noailles, this edition, held from October 10 to 13, emerged as a dynamic crossroads where innovation, free expression, and aesthetic boldness meet. Jean-Pierre Blanc, the festival’s visionary founder and president, once again orchestrated the event with renewed energy. At the opening, he reaffirmed his commitment to defending creative freedom: “Freedom, the right that brings happiness to youth worldwide. Count on us to fight for these values to continue everywhere, especially here in Hyères.” This promise echoed throughout the four days, where discoveries, exhibitions, and celebrations followed one another.

This year, the ten finalists of the competition showcased boundless creativity, representing a wide array of nationalities (France, Belgium, Israel, United States, Hungary, Japan). In the photography category, Basile Pelletier, winner of the American Vintage Prize, captured moments filled with softness and intimacy, while Thomas Duffield (Special Jury Mention) and Clément Boudet (Public Prize) presented visually striking works, respectively exploring overexposed light and black-and-white prints captured in India. In the accessories category, Clara Besnard won the prestigious Hermès Prize with creations that straddle the line between art and function, while Camille Combremont received a Special Mention from the Jury, and Maria Nava, with her provocative vulva-shaped bags, won the Public Prize for her subversive approach to form and material. Exhibitions were spread across several iconic locations, including Villa Noailles and Villa Romaine, where the finalists’ creations were staged with scenography by Paul Bonlarron. In the halls of Villa Noailles, visitors could admire alien-like glasses and clothing made with boundless inventiveness. Villa Romaine, meanwhile, transformed into an exhibition space by Première Classe, presented a creative dialogue between past laureates, weaving an artistic thread spanning nearly forty years.

The highlight of this edition was undoubtedly the recognition of Dolev Elron, a young Israeli designer, winner of the Grand Jury Prize Première Vision. His collection, centered on denim, won over the jury led by Nicolas Di Felice, artistic director of Courrèges, with bold cuts and rounded silhouettes. “I fell in love with denim during my studies,” Elron shared. “This material carries time and memory, both sensitive and sensual, accompanied by a very long, sometimes difficult history, which I try to soften with my creations.” His unique vision and meticulous work were particularly praised for reinventing a traditional material while imbuing it with a contemporary narrative force. Among the other winners, Belgian designer Romain Bichot stood out with his corset-mattress dresses, winning both the 19M Prize and the Atelier des Matières Prize, while Logan Monroe Goff, with his motorcycle-inspired tailoring ensembles, earned the Mercedes-Benz Prize. Gaelle Lang Halloo, with her streetwear-chic looks, captured the public’s imagination, illustrating the diversity of creative worlds present.

But the Hyères Festival is not just about celebrating creators through exhibitions and awards. It is also a moment of conviviality and celebration, punctuated by memorable evenings, such as one held in an abandoned swimming pool transformed for the occasion into a temporary nightclub by Courrèges, and dinners in emblematic places like the Lido beach or the forecourt of Villa Noailles. The Hyères Festival, beyond its capacity to reveal tomorrow's talents, is a true mirror of the contemporary world, where creative freedom becomes an act of intellectual resistance against the rigid frameworks of the past, celebrating art and boldness in breathtaking settings.