Emerging Designers Take Center Stage at the AMI x IFM Prize For its fifth edition, the AMI Prize celebrated emerging Parisian talent, honoring bold and committed designers such as Timisola Shasanya and Naya El Ahdab
The Grand Prize was awarded to Timisola Shasanya. A Central Saint Martins alumna based in Paris, born in Ireland and deeply influenced by her Nigerian roots, the designer develops a narrative-driven approach to clothing. In her work, bamboo becomes a vessel of memory -echoing her father’s farm -while waxed materials and leather experimentation reflect a strong technical focus. Through a reimagined menswear wardrobe, she interrogates the condition of Black individuals and positions her practice at the intersection of multiple artistic disciplines. A vision of fashion that transcends garments to become a universal story.
Another highlight of the evening was the Special Jury Prize awarded to Naya El Ahdab. A graduate of Parsons Paris, the designer brings forward a voice still too rarely heard within the industry. Living with a disability, she has seen many opportunities slip away -not due to a lack of talent, but because of persistent structural barriers. She recently shared with Fashion Network the difficulty of securing internships despite strong applications and successful interviews, often hindered by inaccessible spaces. A systemic reality she now transforms into creative strength. Following an initial experience at Hermès within the Fashion Jewelry department, she continues her studies at IFM while developing an already distinctive signature: plexiglass corsets and elongated silhouettes. In her work, garments become an extension of the body and its constraints.
At the origin of the initiative, Alexandre Mattiussi recalls a truth often overlooked: creation does not exist in isolation. Imagined alongside his associate Nicolas Santi-Weil, the prize is rooted in a clear desire to pass knowledge forward. Having himself been supported early on by both the industry and public institutions, he emphasizes the importance of building pathways for future generations. Behind this vision lies a simple conviction: supporting emerging talent is not just an act -it is a responsibility.
At a time when fashion is undergoing deep transformations, caught between economic pressures, environmental challenges, and structural shifts, these young designers move forward with clarity. Competition is present, of course, but it feels almost secondary compared to the systemic challenges ahead. And yet, optimism remains. Talent, after all, does not disappear.
The evening served as a powerful reminder: there will always be stories to tell in fashion. And those being written today may be more necessary than ever. Armed with needles, materials, and conviction, the winners leave with more than just a prize. Recognition, certainly -but also a message passed on. One that Alexandre Mattiussi himself wishes he had received earlier: to believe in oneself. A simple, almost obvious piece of advice, yet in an industry still marked by inequalities and invisible barriers, it resonates deeply. The new generation is ready -and more importantly, determined to stop asking for permission.
