2026 ANDAM Fashion Awards: Marie Adam-Leenaerdt Takes the Grand Prize
On July 1, the 37th edition of the ANDAM Fashion Awards was held in the gardens of the Palais-Royal in Paris, where Belgian designer Marie Adam-Leenaerdt was named the recipient of the 2026 Grand Prize.
Founded in 1989, ANDAM (Association Nationale pour le Développement des Arts de la Mode) is one of France’s most prestigious programs supporting emerging fashion designers. Over the past three decades, it has helped launch the careers of numerous internationally acclaimed talents. In addition to financial support, the awards provide winners with mentorship from leading figures and companies across the fashion industry.
Summary
- Belgian designer Marie Adam-Leenaerdt won the 2026 ANDAM Grand Prize.
- Pauline Dujancourt received the Special Prize, Anthony Calydon won the Pierre Bergé Prize, and Philéo Landowski received the Accessories Prize.
- The ANDAM Innovation Award was presented to AI data analytics company Alphalyr, while bio-based dye producer Pili received the Innovation Special Prize.
- Beyond prize money, ANDAM supports emerging brands through mentorship and business development provided by leaders across the global fashion industry.
Winning the Grand Prize Just Three Years After Launching Her Brand
Born in Brussels, Marie Adam-Leenaerdt graduated from La Cambre Mode(s) before gaining experience at Givenchy and Balenciaga. She launched her namesake label in 2023.
Just one year after founding her brand, she was selected as a finalist for both the ANDAM Fashion Awards and the LVMH Prize in 2024. This year’s recognition marks the first major award of her career.
As the Grand Prize winner, she receives €300,000 along with a one-year mentorship from Alexandre Mattiussi, Founder and Creative Director of Ami Paris and President of the 2026 ANDAM jury.
The prize money is expected to support the brand’s next stage of growth, including expanding its sales team, strengthening wholesale operations, and hiring additional staff.
A Design Philosophy Rooted in Construction and Craftsmanship
Adam-Leenaerdt has become known for taking a different approach from the industry’s traditional rapid collection cycle.
Her collections emphasize modular garments and versatile designs that encourage long-term wear, placing garment construction, material innovation, and craftsmanship at the center of the creative process. This thoughtful approach to fashion was a key factor behind her selection by the jury.
Pauline Dujancourt Receives the Special Prize
The Special Prize was awarded to Pauline Dujancourt, a French designer based in London.
After graduating from École Duperré and earning a master’s degree in knitwear from the Royal College of Art, Dujancourt launched her womenswear label in 2022. Her work is recognized for its distinctive focus on knitwear.
She receives a €100,000 cash prize as well as a one-year mentorship from Alexandre Mattiussi.
Anthony Calydon and Philéo Also Honored
The Pierre Bergé Prize was awarded to self-taught designer Anthony Calydon, whose work focuses on garment construction and experimental silhouettes. The prize includes €100,000 and a one-year mentorship from Frédéric Maus, CEO of WSN.
The Accessories Prize went to Philéo Landowski, founder of the Paris-based footwear label Phileo. Since launching the brand in 2021, Landowski has developed a production model centered on local manufacturing and close collaboration with suppliers across Portugal.
His award includes €100,000 and a one-year mentorship from Pelagia Kolotouros, Creative Director of Lacoste.
Alphalyr Wins the Innovation Award
In addition to the fashion design categories, ANDAM also presented its Innovation Award recognizing technological advances in the fashion industry.
The 2026 Innovation Award was presented to French startup Alphalyr for its AI-powered data analytics platform serving supply chain, retail, and e-commerce businesses. The company received a €100,000 prize.
The Innovation Special Prize was awarded to Pili, a French company developing bio-based dyes and pigments, including natural indigo alternatives to petrochemical colorants.
Industry Leaders Served on the 2026 Jury
This year’s jury was chaired by Alexandre Mattiussi, Founder and Creative Director of Ami Paris and the recipient of the 2013 ANDAM Grand Prize.
Guest jurors included designer Burç Akyol, model Jeanne Cadieu, model and creator Lyas, style icon Inès de la Fressange, journalist Sophie Fontanel, stylist Lolita Jacobs, artist Théo Mercier, brand consultant Jean-Jacques Picart, Ami Paris CEO Nicolas Santi-Weil, and Jean Baptiste Talbourdet Napoleone of LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton.
They were joined by permanent jury members representing many of ANDAM’s partner organizations and luxury fashion houses, including Bruno Pavlovsky of Chanel, Cédric Charbit of Kering, Guillaume de Seynes of Hermès, Pelagia Kolotouros of Lacoste, Renzo Rosso of OTB, Eva Chen of Meta, Sophie Delafontaine of Longchamp, and Frédéric Maus of WSN. Together, the panel evaluated not only creative excellence but also each finalist’s business strategy and long-term international growth potential.
A Platform Supporting the Next Generation of Fashion
ANDAM was founded in 1989 by Nathalie Dufour with the support of the French Ministry of Culture and DEFI, the organization dedicated to supporting the French fashion industry.
Today, the organization is backed by leading industry partners including Ami Paris, Balenciaga, Chanel, Chloé, Hermès, Kering, Lacoste, LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, Saint Laurent, L’Oréal, Meta, and OTB.
In addition to financial awards, winners receive long-term support through mentorship, business development, production expertise, communications guidance, and access to an extensive international network designed to accelerate the growth of emerging fashion brands.
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