International Talent Support

International Talent Support (ITS) is a platform created to give support and visibility to young talents in the field of fashion design, design of accessories and jewelry. The most artistic-oriented designers are also challenged with ITS Artwork, a purely artistic contest.^[1]^[2]

Description

Contestants are selected from more than 80 countries around the world. After this selection process, they are invited to Trieste to present their works and are evaluated by a special jury that awards the prizes in the competition.^[3]^[4] ITS is not just a contest, it includes a Creative Archive showcasing projects of the past finalists: a collection of 16,000 portfolios, 220 dresses, 80 jewelry pieces and 120 accessories, and more than 700 digital photo projects. In addition, it produces a yearly trends report "The Seismographer" and has built a wide network made up of designers, journalists, opinion leaders, design teachers, head hunters, heads of studio and more.

The platform was founded and is directed by Barbara Franchin.^[5]

Here are some of the past ITS jurors:^[6] the performance artist Marina Abramovic, photographers Nick Knight, Ari Marcopoulos and Sarah Moon, the Editor in Chief of Vogue Italy Franca Sozzani, the founder of Business of Fashion Imran Amed, the former head curator of the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum in New York Harold Koda the singer-songwriter Mika and designers such as Raf Simons, Viktor & Rolf, Consuelo Castiglioni, Manish Arora as well as journalists like Hilary Alexander, Angelo Flaccavento and Cathy Horyn.

Many past finalists hold key positions in the fashion industry, like Demna Gvasalia (Creative Director Balenciaga & founder Vetements), Aitor Throup (Executive Creative Director G-Star Raw) and Peter Pilotto (eponymous line).

Editions

2023

The finalists were selected in November 2023. The award ceremony was held in March 2024.^[7]

2017

The 2017 edition was suspended for insufficient funding.^[8]

2016

2016 marked the fifteenth birthday of ITS, an anniversary edition that welcomed in the jury Demna Gvasalia (founder and artistic director of Vetements and artistic director of Balenciaga), designer Iris Van Herpen and AltaRoma President Silvia Venturini Fendi, while the theme of the event was “Utopia. The winners were:

Mayako Kano, ITS Fashion Award in partnership with OTB
Niels Gundtoft Hansen & Anna Bornhold, OTB Award
Helen Kirkum, ITS Accessories Award in partnership with YKK^[9]
Young Jin Jang, YKK Award
Marco Baitella, ITS Artwork Award in partnership with Swatch
Jana Zornik, Swatch Award
Hazuki Katagai, Swatch Art Peace Hotel Award
Sari Rathel, ITS Jewelry Award in partnership with Swarovski
Tatiana Lobanova, Swarovski Award
Justin Smith, Generali Future Award
Anna Bornhold, Modateca Deanna Award
Helen Kirkum, Vogue Talents Award

2015

The jury for this edition featured, among others, Massimo Giorgetti (Founder and Creative Director of MSGM), Carlo Capasa (President of the National Chamber of Italian Fashion) and Oriole Cullen (Acting Senior Curator of Contemporary Fashion, Victoria & Albert Museum). Aitor Throup, a finalist in 2006, received a lifetime achievement award. The concept for this edition was "THE FUTURE". The winners were:

Paula Knorr, ITS Fashion Award in partnership with OTB
Yuko Koike, OTB Award and Modateca Deanna Award
Jenifer Thévenaz-Burdet, Eyes on Talents Award
Elina Määttänen, Vogue Talents Award
Isabel Helf, ITS Accessories Award in partnership with YKK^[9]
Bianca Chong, YKK Fastening Award
Hiroki Kataoka, ITS Artwork Award in partnership with Swatch
Shay Tako, Swatch Award
Alexis Gautier, Swatch Art Peace Hotel Award
In Wai Kwok, ITS Jewelry Award in partnership with Swarovski
Kota Okuda, ITS Jewelry Award in partnership with Swarovski
Yun Sun Jang, Swarovski Award
Yang Wang, Samsung Galaxy Award
Aitor Throup, Generali Special Award

2014

Consuelo Castiglioni (MARNI), Nick Knight, Nicholas Kirkwood and pop star Mika (in the jury for the new ITS ARTWORK contest) were among the jurors. On July 12, the day of the final evening, the event reached the 9th position as a global trending topic on social networks. CNN [4] and France 2 covered the event. The concept for this edition was "Lucid Dreams". The winners were:

Katherine Roberts-Wood, Fashion Collection of the Year and Vogue Talents Award for fashion
Zoe Waters, Diesel Award
Anita Hirlekar, Fashion Special Prize
Natalija Mencej, Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana Award
Yasuto Kimura, Showstudio Prize
Anna Bornhold, Modateca Award
Mirja Pitkaart, Accessories Collection of the Year
Takafumi Arai, YKK Special Award
Ivana Damjanovic, YKK Award and Eyes on Talents Award
Maiko Takeda, Vogue Talents Award for accessories
Virginia Burlina, Swatch Award
Noriko Nakazato, Swarovski Jewelry Award
Lior Shulak, Swarovski Jewelry Award
Leonie Barth, Samsung GALAXY Award

2013

ITS becomes even more present on social with the launch of a live feed that collects any ITS related content. Nicola Formichetti, Carla Sozzani and Yasuhiro Mihara were among the jurors. This edition was characterized by the concept "The Physics of Creativity". The winners were:* Han Chul Lee, Fashion Collection of the Year and Vogue Talents Award

Xiao Li, Diesel Award
Tomohiro Sato, Fashion Special Prize and Modateca Award
Nelly Hoffmann, Yoox.com Award
Felix Chabluk Smith, Business of Fashion Award
Leonard Kahlcke, Accessories Collection of the Year
Percy Lau, YKK Award
Cat Potter, Eyes on Talents Award
Youngwon Kim, Vogue Talents Award for Accessories
Lili Colley, Swarovski Elements Jewelry Award
Milko Boyarov, Swatch Award

2012

In 2012, the performance artist Marina Abramovic was in the fashion competition jury with Renzo Rosso and the fashion blogger Susie Bubble. The jury also featured two past finalists, Aitor Throup and Mark Fast, both of whom have since become famous for their respective fashion lines. This edition's concept played with two extremes, "Good or Evil". The winners were:* Ichiro Suzuki, Fashion Collection of the Year

Marius Janusauskas, Diesel Award and D-La Repubblica Award
Luke Brooks, Fashion Special Prize
Mark Goldenberg, Avery Dennison Brand Innovation Award and Vogue Talents Award for fashion
Isabel Vollrath, Saturday Night Fever Award
Shengwei Wang, Modateca Award
Ana Rajcevic, Accessories Collection of the Year
Benjamin John Hall, YKK Award
Victoria Spruce, Vogue Talents Award for accessories
Xiao Zi Yang, Swarovski Elements Jewelry Award

2011

The 2011 edition marked the contest's 10th anniversary, with a jury that included Hilary Alexander, the Academy Award for Photography Dante Spinotti and featured the return of Viktor & Rolf. It was the year of the launch of ITS JEWELRY, the competition devoted entirely to jewelry. Shaun Samson, the winner of the Fashion Collection of the Year, participated in the London Fashion Week with his fashion line a short while later. The winners were:

Shaun Samson, Fashion Collection of the Year
Niran Avisar, Diesel Award
Kristian Guerra, Fashion Special Prize and D-La Repubblica Award
Fah Chakshuvej, Maison Martin Margiela Award
Ruth Green, Skunkfunk Sustainability Award
Kevin Kramp, Modateca Award
Oliver Ruuger, Accessories Collection of the Year
Laura Amstein, YKK Award
Anna Schwamborn, Modamont Award
Sarah Vedel Hurtigkarl and Raluca Grada, Swarovski Elements Jewelry Award
Nika Kupyrova, Disaronno Photo Award
Gerardo Vizmanos, SVA PhotoGlobal Award

2010

The designers Viktor & Rolf participated as first-time jurors and Nina Nitsche (Maison Martin Margiela) was also part of the jury. Shortly after the event, the winner of Accessories Collection of the Year Sarah Williams established a partnership with another Accessories finalist, Kirsty Ward, launching an exclusive line of custom made accessories. The winners were:

Takashi Nishiyama, Fashion Collection of the Year
Michael Kampe, Diesel Award
Yong Kyun Shin, Fashion Special Prize
Niels Peeraer, RA Award
Sarah Williams, Accessories Collection of the Year and Absolut Award
Emma Yeo, YKK Award
Yuwen Lu, Modamont Award

2009

Yuima Nakazato became the second finalist in the history of ITS to be selected for two different competitions in two different editions. The edition concept transformed ITS in the "Greatest Show of All", drawing inspiration from the touring circus shows of the early 20th century. The winners were:

Mason Jung, Fashion Collection of the Year
Yuima Nakazato, YKK Award
Ali Forbes, Crystallized Accessories Award
Chau Har Lee, Accessories Collection of the Year
Elise Gettliffe, I-D Styling Award
Alice Knackfuss, Diesel Award
Masha Lamzina, Fashion Special Prize
Michael Van Der Ham, Vertice Award
Saana Wang, Mini Clubman Photo Award
Silvia Noferi, Pitti Immagine Photo Award
Monica Lozano Red, Air Dolomiti Photo Award
Noemie Goudal, Pitti Immagine Photo Award
Clare Bottomley, ITS Photoweb and SVA Photoglobal Award

2008

Mark Fast's knitwear attracted everyone's attention, and was the prelude to a brand that received a lot of attention as a result of ITS. The finalists of the photography competition Mashid Mohadjerin won the World Press Photo award for a project that started immediately after ITS. Designer Gareth Pugh and photographer Sarah Moon were among the jurors. The winners were:

Valentim Manuel Estevão Quaresma, Accessories Collection of the Year
Benjamin Shun Lai Ng, YKK Award
Tomasz Donocik, YKK Special Prize
Elise Gettliffe, Fashion Special Prize
Yuima Nakazato, Vertice Award
Alithia Spuri-Zampetti, Maria Luisa Award
Mark Fast, I-D Styling Award
Heikki Salonen, Diesel Award
David Steinhorst, Fashion Collection of the Year
Mashid Mohadjerin, ITS Photoweb
Debora Vrizzi, Pitti Immagine Photo Award
Kazutaka Nagashima, Mini Clubman Photo Award
Matthieu Lavanchy, SVA Photoglobal Award
Venetia Dearden, Air Dolomiti Photo Award
Martine Fougeron, Pitti Immagine Photo Award

2007

The generation of young talents selected in 2007 featured many finalists that, following ITS, made a name for themselves thanks to their respective brands: Justin Smith, David Longshaw, Taro Horiuchi, Mareunrol, Ek Thongprasert, Heaven Tanudiredja (who was a finalist in both Fashion Accessories, anticipating the launch of her own line of jewelry). The winners were:

Liron Braker, YKK Accessory Award
Anna Sheldon, YKK Special Award
Justin Smith, i-D Styling Award and Maria Luisa Award
Susanne Happle, Accessories Collection of the Year
Ek Thongprasert, Fashion Collection of the Year and Develon Award
Migle Kacerauskiene, Fashion Special Prize
Heaven Tanudiredja, Vertice Award
Taro Horiuchi, Diesel Award
Maria Giulia Giorgiani, Pitti Immagine Photo Award and Finalist Involved In The Mini Clubman Tour
May Heek, SVA Photoglobal Award
Jing Quek, MINI International Photo Award and Pitti Immagine Photo Award

2006

In 2006 the ITS ACCESSORIES contest was inaugurated. Aitor Throup was the revelation of the year with a menswear collection that redesigned the production processes. Franca Sozzani, Raf Simons and Cathy Horyn were on the jury. The winners were:

Heather Blake, Accessories Collection of the Year
Maria Hjelm, YKK Accessory Award
Mikio Sakabe, Special Jury Prize
Matthieu Blazy, Maria Luisa Award
Tamar Daniel (Schreiber), WGSN Best Portfolio
Aitor Throup, Fashion Collection of the Year and I-D Styling Award and ITS 2015 Generali Special Award
Daniel Ivarsson, Diesel Award
Catherine Sundqvist, VMAN / V Magazine Award
Remigiusz Pyrdol, MINI International Photo Award and Le Book Award and Stage Fabbrica

2005

Antonio Marras, Boudicca and Antonio Berardi were on the jury. The ITS PHOTO contest was launched and its jury featured the founder of Visionaire Cecilia Dean. Christopher de Vos, who later worked for Vivienne Westwood before joining forces with Peter Pilotto's homonymous brand, was one of the finalists. The winners were:* Christoph Froehlich, Diesel Award

Eli Effenberger, Maria Luisa Award and Special Jury Prize
Marga Weimans, I-D Styling Award
Mie Albaek Nielsen and Caroline Hansen, Ingeo Sustainability Award
Ryo Yamada, WGSN Best Portfolio Award
Marcus Lereng Wilmont, Collection of the Year
Danielle Mourning, MINI International Photo Award

2004

Yoshikazu Yamagata was among the winners of 2004. He would later set up a school in Tokyo that would produce numerous ITS finalists. Peter Pilotto was among the finalists. In the following years he created the Peter Pilotto brand together with a 2005 finalist, Christopher de Vos. Raf Simons was in the jury together with Richard Buckley, Hilary Alexander and Ennio Capasa. The winners were:

Iris Eibelwimmer, Maria Luisa Award
Demna Gvasalia, Collection of the Year
Peter Pilotto, Maria Luisa Award
Takashi Sugioka, 3rd Jury Prize
Steven Hoffman, 2nd Jury Prize
Yoshikazu Yamagata, Special Prize, Ingeo Sustainability Award and WGSN Best Portfolio
Lesley Mobo, Diesel Award

2003

The winner Cathy Pill had the honour of being invited to present her collection during the Parisian fashion week, where she continued to present her brand for nearly a decade. Dombrovicz Laurent, Xavier Delcour and Jenny Meirens were some of the jurors. Fabrizio Talia, winner of the Best Womenswear Collection Award, later joined forces with Justin Smith – the two met in 2007 – for the launch of the project (Es) * Artisanal, chosen as a finalist in 2010. The winners were:

Slobodan Mihajlović, Maria Luisa Award
Cathy Pill, Collection of the Year
Anne Ventzel, Best Menswear Collection
Fabrizio Talia, Best Womenswear Collection
Akihiro Kiuchi, Jury Prize
Teppei Sugaya, Diesel Award

2002

The jury of the first edition of the International Talent Support featured, among others, Isabella Blow, Editor in Chief of Nylon Magazine Marvin Jarrett, Director of i-D magazine Terry Jones and the Creative Director of Black Book Magazine Evan L.Schindler. The winners were:

Anais Buscail and Vanessa Raveau, PlayStation
Assaf Bitton, INTESABCI Award
Bernadett Penkov, Dupont Total Look
Céline Gautron, Dupont Shirt/Trousers Category
Chu Po Ho, Dupont Knitwear Top Category
Daniele Controversio, Collection of the Year and Dupont Trousers category
Einav Zucker, Diesel Award
Elisa Grazioli, PlayStation
Erik Jan Frenken, Best Womenswear Collection
Rianne Caminada, PlayStation
Roel Ruyten, PlayStation
Vishvajeet Dhir, Best Menswear Collection
Goldy Serussi, Dupont Shirt/Trousers Category

References

^ George Webster. "Trieste: Small Italian city that shapes your wardrobe". CNN. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
^ "Les talents ITS imaginent la mode du futur". Madame Figaro (in French). Retrieved May 27, 2016.
^ "Catherine Schwaab – A Trieste, entre soleil, mode et talent". ParisMatch.com (in French). Retrieved May 27, 2016.
^ "IlSole24Ore – Talenti creativi – Con ITS 2014 a Trieste premi per 100mila euro, stage e opportunità di lavoro per i giovani delle scuole di moda e design da 20 Paesi". job24.ilsole24ore.com. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
^ "Conosci Barbara Franchin founder, director & project supervisor di ITS International Talent Support?". www.elle.it. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
^ "Io, giurato a ITS 2015: giudicare e/o essere giudicato". www.marieclaire.it. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
^ Carrera, Martino (November 22, 2023). "International Talent Support Names 2023 Finalists". WWD. Retrieved October 12, 2024.
^ AE, FashionNetwork com. "International Talent Support will not take place in 2017". FashionNetwork.com. Retrieved October 12, 2024.
^ ^a ^b Dazed (April 7, 2015). "The accessory designers getting noticed (even by Björk)". Dazed. Retrieved May 27, 2016.

[1] George Webster. "Trieste: Small Italian city that shapes your wardrobe". CNN. Retrieved May 27, 2016.

[2] "Les talents ITS imaginent la mode du futur". Madame Figaro (in French). Retrieved May 27, 2016.

[3] "Catherine Schwaab – A Trieste, entre soleil, mode et talent". ParisMatch.com (in French). Retrieved May 27, 2016.

[4] "IlSole24Ore – Talenti creativi – Con ITS 2014 a Trieste premi per 100mila euro, stage e opportunità di lavoro per i giovani delle scuole di moda e design da 20 Paesi". job24.ilsole24ore.com. Retrieved May 27, 2016.

[5] "Conosci Barbara Franchin founder, director & project supervisor di ITS International Talent Support?". www.elle.it. Retrieved May 27, 2016.

[6] "Io, giurato a ITS 2015: giudicare e/o essere giudicato". www.marieclaire.it. Retrieved May 27, 2016.

[7] Carrera, Martino (November 22, 2023). "International Talent Support Names 2023 Finalists". WWD. Retrieved October 12, 2024.

[8] AE, FashionNetwork com. "International Talent Support will not take place in 2017". FashionNetwork.com. Retrieved October 12, 2024.

[:0-9] Dazed (April 7, 2015). "The accessory designers getting noticed (even by Björk)". Dazed. Retrieved May 27, 2016.

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