On July 1, 2026, in the gardens of the Palais Royal, ANDAM unveiled the winners of its 37th edition. Grand Prize, Special Prize, Pierre Bergé Prize, Accessories Prize: four awards, four visions, one message: French fashion still has a bright future.
Since 1989, the ANDAM (National Association for the Development of Fashion Arts) Prize has played a major role in the French fashion scene. Founded by Nathalie Dufour and chaired by Guillaume Houzé, it has helped to bring to light some of the most influential figures in contemporary design: Martin Margiela from the very first edition, Jeremy Scott in 1998, and Marine Serre in 2020.
This year, Alexandre Mattiussi, himself a winner in 2013 and founder of Ami Paris, presided over the jury, which included Eva Chen, vice president of fashion partnerships at Instagram, Pelagia Kolotouros, creative director at Lacoste, and Sophie Fontanel, journalist and fashion critic.
A look back at the 2026 edition which confirms the vitality of young creativity.
Marie Adam-Leenaerdt wins the Grand Prix
Belgian designer Marie Adam-Leenaerdt has won the 2026 ANDAM Grand Prize, which comes with a €300,000 award. A graduate of La Cambre in Brussels, she honed her vision, notably with a notable stint at Balenciaga, before launching her eponymous label in 2023. A finalist for the LVMH Prize in 2024, she returns to ANDAM this year with greater confidence and a more assertive approach, centered on tailoring and a sustainable approach to clothing. Her vision of the multifunctionality of garments—how a piece can be worn in multiple ways, kept longer, and thus avoid becoming tiresome—is at the heart of her work.
Alexandre Mattiussi, in a statement, praised a designer whose work proves that creativity, intelligence, and a contemporary vision continue to shape the future of fashion. Marie Adam-Leenaerdt will receive support in developing her brand from the jury president himself, in addition to financial backing.
Pauline Dujancourt and knitting as a territory of expression
The 2026 Special Prize (€100,000) was awarded to Pauline Dujancourt. The French designer first studied at the École Duperré in Paris before earning a master's degree specializing in knitwear from Central Saint Martins in London. It was her graduation show that landed her her first commission and her first contact with the press and buyers. She also worked at Alexander Wang, then spent several years as a knitwear consultant at Simone Rocha. Her brand, presented at London Fashion Week, works almost exclusively with knitwear: hand-knitting, crochet, and textile construction, to produce dark and structured silhouettes. Her Winnie Can't Fly collection perfectly encapsulates her vision: knitwear, a technique long considered domestic, becomes the vehicle for a reflection on female independence.
Anthony Calydon and the Pierre Bergé Prize
The 2026 Pierre Bergé Prize (€100,000) has been awarded to Anthony Calydon. A self-taught designer, the Parisian has once again built his brand around knitwear, which he works with using a formal language influenced by the world of video games and a futuristic aesthetic, balancing urban tension with the sensuality of clothing. His approach, which breaks with the usual codes of menswear, convinced the jury.
Philéo Landowski and the Accessories Prize
Finally, the Fashion Accessories Prize (€100,000) goes to Phileo and its creator, Philéo Landowski. This is his second time participating in the prize, having initially wanted to design cars before turning to shoes. A finalist for the ANDAM Grand Prize in 2025 and winner of the City of Paris Grand Prize for Creation in 2024, he honed his style at companies such as Celine and Salomon. His consistent trajectory, spanning sport, luxury, and product design, is now reaching its full potential.
The four winners were chosen from a total of eleven finalists. In addition to financial awards, they will benefit from practical support from key players in the sector, which has been ANDAM's strength for over thirty years. Four artists to watch closely!
