Jacquelyn Chow wins PCA Golden Thimble Award 2015

Last Thursday, Paris College of Art held its annual Fashion Show at thePCA campus, celebrating the culmination of the year’s work of our talented and dynamic students. Seven seniors presented their thesis collections: Jacquelyn Chow, Caroline Joy Elizabeth Elie, Fanny Holst, Jenna Maher, Madhulika Nandakumar, Marina Ruiz and Mads Vonli and their creations were received with enthusiastic accolades.

The juniors also had a chance to showcase their talent. Shira Bernstein, Marie-Nirina Metz, Josefine Praest-Pederson, Michelle Row Xavier Thurston and Joyce Wu each presented a capsule collection on the theme of Memphis Group.

This year PCA had the honor to have Hervé L. Leroux preside over the fashion jury, which was composed of leaders in the industry including: Olympia de la Brosse, Bruno-Roland Bernard, Bernardo, Madeleine Czigler, Hervé Dewintre, Hans de Foer, Fady El-Khoury, Chrstine Mazza, Lilly Templeton, Claire Remy, Christine Walter-Bonini, and Gala Zuccoli. The jury was charged with selecting the winner of the Golden Thimble 2015 prize for Best Degree Collection, which Hervé L. Leroux presented to Jacquelyn Chow for her collection exploring the theme Anonimity.

For the fourth year, PCA juniors had the opportunity to work on a special project using lace generously supplied by Sophie Hallette, the world’s leading lace and tulle manufacturer. The resulting work of this year’s challenge, to create urban sportswear, was on display and Josefine Praest-Pederson won the Sophie Hallette Award 2015 for Irresistible Lace: Urban Sportswear.

The second annual Takasago Prize was awarded by Arnaud Guggenbuhl (Takasago’s VP of Marketing) to Jenna Maher for the signature scent she developed in partnership with acclaimed perfume designer Jean Jacques of Takasago, the global fragrance manufacturer. Takasago has generously produced a limited edition of the winning scent Chase.

After the show, visitors got to discover and enjoy the work of students from all the other departments, exhibited throughout the building, with each classroom, corridor and other available space being transformed into an extensive gallery.

See more images from the Fashion Show.

About the Fashion Jury

Hervé L. Leroux, Coutourier

Famous for his ability to enhance women bodies with his unforgettable bandage dresses, the Parisian Couturier, created his new company under the name of Hervé L. Leroux in 2000 and opened his boutique 32 rue Jacob in Saint Germain des Prés, a mythic place where once lived the interior designer, Madeleine Castaing.

In his boutique atelier, he now concentrates on his couture work molding on the body his draped dresses in a pure and graphic manner. He creates custom made for women addicted to his ultra feminine, glamourous, inimitable style, from all over the world.

Bruno-Roland Bernard, Communications Director at LVMH

Since 2006, Bruno-Roland Bernard has been the communications director at LVMH, the world leader on high-quality products. After obtaining his degree from ESSEC, Bruno-Roland started his career in investment banking. In 2001, he began expanding his field into management of corporate image and branding.

Nicole Bernado, Buyer for Bon Marché

Nicole Bernado worked at Dior for six years before transitioning to her current role as buyer for Le Bon Marche. She specializes in beauty accessories, lingerie and swim departments. She is also the founder of fashion agency, a consulting company.

Olympia de La Brosse, Junior Consultant at Design Practice

Olympia de La Brosse graduated from INSEEC with an MA in communication and advertising. As a specialist in communication in the cosmetics industry, Olympia de La Brosse joined Floriane de Saint Pierre & Associés as a researcher in design practice to scout creative talent around the world. She regularly works on organizational assignments for design studios of fashion brands, as well as on recruitment searches for visual/creative disciplines.

Madeleine Czinger, Journalist and Professor at AUP

Madaleine Czinger is a television producer and journalist covering the fashion scene for the past 25 years. As a fashion journalist, she worked for Canadian television (CTV and CBC) covering hundreds of fashion shows and has produced documentaries on designers including Gaultier, Galliano, McQueen and Valentino. Currently, Madeleine teaches fashion journalism and public relations at the American University of Paris.

Hervé Dewintre, Editor of L’Officiel

Hervé Dewintre has a background in fashion editorial. In 1995, he founded Creatop, a high-end fashion magazine. Since 2007, he has edited magazines such as PlanetMod, Esmod, FashionUnited and Jalouse. Currently, he is the editor for L’Officiel magazine.

Fady el-Khoury, Fashion Journalist and Angeline Editor

Fady el-Khoury has been in the fashion industry for more than 30 years. He got his start reporting on Haute Couture for oil clients in the Middle East before moving on to write for the French press in publications such as L’Officiel and Harper’s Bazaar France. Fady works for Angeline, a dual identity magazine reading one side for women and men on the other.

Hans de Foer, Program Director at IFM

Hans de Foer has designed luxury ready-to-wear and couture collections for Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, André Courrèges, and Jean-Paul Gaultier as well as his own brand. He also has served roles as an artistic director, stylist and designer for creative teams of midrange brands. Currently, he is the director of IFM’s Fashion and Accessory Design postgraduate program.

Claire Remy, style manager for the Carlin-Groupe agency prêt-à-porter department

Claire Remy has worked in the fashion prêt-à-porter and merchandising industry, for Promostyl, Bureau de style La Maille, & Poisson Rouge. She was the manager of Kookai until 2005. After this experience, she joined the Carlin-Group agency where she was able to dedicate herself to creation and design, as manager of the style department.

Lily Templeton, Fashion Blogger

Fashion journalist/blogger Lily Templeton created Mademoiselle à Paris, a website dedicated to fashion and luxury, before being recruited by NOWFASHION’s editorial team in 2012 and Designare in 2013, both under the direction of Jessica Michault. In December 2013, she became Editor-in-Chief of the quarterly Lash Magazine.

Christine Walter-Bonini, International General Manager at ESMOD

Christine Walter-Bonini worked for years in the communication of fashion at Daewoo, Cerruti and SEHM (Salon International de L’Habillement Masculin). Fascinated by the discovery of emerging young talents, Ms. Bonini created Casabo in 1998, a salon for upcoming international designers. Since 2008, she has been working at ESMOD where she is the international general manager.