MCFW© 2018 Fashion Awards recognizing Etro, Constanza Cavalli Etro, Flavio Briatore, Rahul Mishra, German Larkin & Istituto Marangoni

The best of fashion honored at MCFW© grand cru edition

The highly anticipated 6th edition of the Monte-Carlo Fashion Week was inaugurated with the MCFW© Fashion Awards Ceremony & Gala Dinner, at the prestigious state-of-the-art Yacht Club of Monaco(YCM) on Wednesday, May 16, 2018, in the presence of H.E. Serge Telle, Minister of State of Monaco, H.E. Cristiano Gallo, Ambassador of Italy in Monaco, Isabelle Bonnal, Director of Education, Youth and Sports of Monaco, and other important Monegasque dignitaries, international and local media, buyers, VIP’s and the crème-de-la-crème of fashion and film.

Since its inception in 2013, the reputable MCFW© Fashion Awards, created by the Chambre Monegasque de la Mode, and designed by Brazilian artist and Monegasque resident Marcos Marin, are attributed annually to shinning stars in diverse fields of the fashion universe.

The privileged guests attending the MCFW© Fashion Awards Ceremonywere treated to a red carpet welcome and cocktail on the terrace of the YCM, overlooking the port and the Mediterranean Sea, where beautifully dressed glamorous women and handsome men in their tuxedos could partake with award winners and celebrities, while gladly posing for the photographers and TV cameras. (Photo insert: H.E. Cristiano Gallo, Celina Lafuente de Lavotha, Bernard D’Alessandri, Sabrina Gallo, Karl E. Landler @Claudia Albuquerque)

The attractive and enchanting model, actress and TV presenter Victoria Silvstedt accompanied the professional Master of Ceremonies Peter Mackley on the stage. After acknowledging the presence of Monegasque authorities, a brief presentation followed by Federica Nardoni Spinetta, President and Founder of the Chambre Monegasque de la Mode, who thanked partners and supporters, and expressed her heartfelt gratitude to her team of highly accomplished professionals, who with their knowledge and international expertise help ensure the growing success of the MCFW©.

And the 2018 MCFW© Fashion Award Winners are…

Kean Etro of the famous and celebrated Maison ETRO, received the MCFW©International Fashion Award, from the hands of H.E. Serge Telle, Minister of State of the Principality of Monaco, and Federica Nardoni Spinetta, President and Founder of CMM. This Award is the recognition for Etro’s 50 years legacy, a family-run fashion house built on innovation, tradition and elegance since 1968, and who are celebrating the epic anniversary this year. Conscious of our constant changing world, the highly functional Etro clan is conscious of the need to find new ways of going forward and projecting themselves into the future, and they plan to do it with a bang!

(Photo insert: H.E. Serge Telle, MCFW Fashion Award Winner Kean Etro, Federica Nardoni Spinetta and Victoria Silvstedt@Daniele Guidetti)

Rahul Mishra was bestowed with the MCFW© Sustainable and Ethical Brand Fashion Award, presented by Pascal Granero, Director of the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation and Federica Nardoni Spinetta. (Photo insert:Victoria Silvstedt, Federica Nardoni Spinetta, Pascal Granero and Rahul Mishra @ Saverio Chiapalone)

The talented and eco-fashion Indian designer Rahul Mishra based in Delhi, was duly recognized for his engagement and contribution to slow fashion with his ethical and sustainable fashion brand. This environment and human conscious designer veils for the wellbeing of people in India, where he employs to this date more than 700 artisans, for whom his brand is their livelihood and gives them the possibility to be employed and remain in their villages. “I’m here for slow fashion. I want to slow down the process, to make jobs for more people”, affirms Rahul Mishra.

Mishra won the International Woolmark Prize at the Milan Fashion Week in 2014, becoming the first Indian designer to be recognized with this important award, joining fashion icons such as Karl Lagerfeld, Giorgio Armani and Yves Saint Laurent. “When Rahul [Mishra] won the Woolmark Prize with such resounding success, I realised he had won hearts all over the world. Not just for his creative and technical skills, but for the conviction with which he believed that fashion can be a powerful catalyst for social change, especially in his own country,” said Bandana Tewari, fashion features editor of Vogue India. Rahul Mishra is also the brand ambassador of Istituto Marangoni Paris.

Flavio Briatore, one of the brightest, unconventional and savvy Italian businessmen, was the recipient of the MCFW© Luxury Menswear Fashion Award, from the hands of H.E. Cristiano Gallo, Ambassador of Italy in Monaco, and Rosanna Trinchese, Art Director of MCFW©. The prestigious award highlights Briatore’s contribution to fashion as founder of the Billionaire Couture brand, and his many other successful ventures, including making his indelible mark in F1.

With an innovative and unique management style, the flamboyant Briatore diversified his activities and in the course of the last decade he created cult nightclubs, resorts and restaurants that represent a glamorous and exclusive way of life, all under the umbrella of the luxury holding Billionaire Life. In 2005 Briatore launched Billionaire Couture, a menswear luxury line in a joint venture with Percassi Group. In 2016, the majority stake was sold to the Philipp Plein Group. (Photo: Victoria Silvstedt, H.E. Cristiano Gallo, Award winner Flavio Briatore, Rosanna Trinchese @Daniel Guidetti)

German Larkin was presented with the MCFW© Emerging Photographer Fashion Award,from the hands of no other than Victoria Silvstedt, model, actress, singer and TV personality, and Rosanna Trinchese. (Photo: Victoria Silvstedt, MCFW Fashion Award Winner German Larking and Rosanna Trinchese, May 16, 2018 YCM @Saverio Chiappalone)

German Larkin is a brilliant fashion & social photographer, journalist and avid traveller who moves in leaps and bounds around the world. Born and raised in Moscow, Russia, where he graduated in Sociology, he later moved to Milan, Italy, where he studied public relations and launched his career in the fashion industry.

Very soon photo reportages of German Larkin appeared on the pages of the most prestigious publications such as Vogue Italia, Vogue US, Wall Street Journal, Tatler magazine, L’Officiel. The talented photographer loves analysing society and culture through his lens. His professional interest spans from the most glamorous events in the world of fashion and cinema, to music festivals and art fairs. His sharp eye on today’s society is what makes the work of Larkin so special and unique. His photos graced the entrance and inside the Fashion Village site of the MCFW Fashion Shows.

Giulia Pirovano received the MCFW© Education Fashion Award on behalf of ISTITUTO MARANGONI, presented by Isabelle Bonnal, Director Department of Education, Youth and Sports of Monaco, and Mireille Pietri, General Secretary of the CMM. The CMM was keen in honouring one of the Fashion leading educational institutions. This award is the recognition for their engagement and contribution to the fashion world for being committed to training young talents. Founded in Milano in 1935 by Giulio Marangoni, master tailor recognised for his creations for the aristocracy all over Italy, Istituto Marangoni is internationally celebrated as one of the leading players offering higher education in the fields of fashion, art and design. (Photo: Mireille Pietri, Giulia Pirovano and Isabelle Bonnal MCFW2018@Daniele Guidetti)

For more than eight decades, this prestigious institution has being nourishing Italian fashion and the birth of the ready-to-wear segment, accompanying thee development and training of young talents who would later forge their individual success stories. While remaining faithful to its distinctive identity and educational method, with the international expansion of Italian fashion, Istituto Marangoni has extended its network, opening new schools in Firenze, Paris, London, Mumbai, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Miami. They have managed to reconcile entrepreneurial dynamism with academic culture in a constantly expanding network that welcomes over 4,000 students each year coming from more than 100 different countries.

Constanza Cavalli Etro was honored with theMCFW©Cultural Fashion Award, presented by Karl E. Landler, award winner French actor and director, and Celina Lafuente de Lavotha, Communications Attaché of the MCFW© & CMM. Constanza Cavalli Etro, is the Founder of the Fashion Film Festival Milano, and this award is the recognition for her cultural cutting edge contribution to the fashion world. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, she lived in Mexico City where she founded Fashion Week Mexico and became its Fashion Editor until she moved to Italy. In 2014 Constanza founded the Fashion Film Festival Milano where she combines her love for fashion and cinema with her desire to discover and support young talents. (Photo: MCFW Award Winner Constanza Cavalli Etro, Celina Lafuente de Lavotha and Karl E. Landler @Daniel Guidetti)

Fashion Film Festival Milano is a highly regarded international event featuring fashion films from all over the world. Established fashion brands and directors join emerging designers and brands, sharing the same screen during Milan’s September Women Fashion Week. A prestigious Jury, more than 700 fashion films submitted from 50 countries, special screenings, and interactive conversations, make this event unique. Fashion Film Festival Milano 2018 is on its 5th successful edition, affirming itself as an institution, considered as one of the most important Fashion Film Festival in its field, as well as in the cinema industry. Constanza Cavalli Etro also founded Eyesophy (www.eyesophy.com), a Fashion Film Creative Hub where a 360 ° consultancy is offered to anyone who wants to experience the storytelling world through video or moving image in general.

Daniel Flachaire of BANANA MOON received the MCFW©Made-in-Monaco Fashion Award, from Marjorie Crovetto-Harroch, representing the Monaco Town Hall, and Celina Lafuente de Lavotha. One of the most brilliant and trendy Monegasque brands, this award is the recognition to Banana Moon for their engagement to the «Made-in-Monaco», and their commitment to the Principality of Monaco itself. (Photo:Award Winner Daniel Flachaire, Celina Lafuente de Lavotha and Marjorie Crovetto-Harroch MCFW 2018@Daniele Guidetti)

The brand is a fusion between European know-how, and dedication to the highest quality combined with Californian sense of style and creativity. Banana Moon became one of the most recognized European swimwear brands and is now distributed in more than fifty countries around the world. The collection has grown to include beachwear, ready to wear and beach accessories in addition to their iconic swimwear line. In 2006 Banana Moon Couture first collection was created, bringing innovation and unique style to the label. In 2012, Inspired by the millennial generation, Banana Moon Teens was launched.

Award winners and presenters

Photo: (Left to Right) MC Victoria Silvstedt, Pascal Granero(Fondation Princesse Charlene de Monaco), H.E. Cristiano Gallo, Ambassador of Italy in Monaco, Celina Lafuente de Lavotha, Communications Attache MCFW & CMM, Daniel Flachaireof Banana Moon, Marjorie Crovetto-Harrochrepresenting the Town Hall of Monaco, H.E. Serge Telle, Ministerof State of Monaco, Federica Nardoni Spinetta, Founder and President of CMM and MCFW, Flavio Briatore, Rosanna Trinchese, Art Director MCFW, Marcos Marin, Brazilian and Monaco Resident artist, Mireille Pietri, General Secretary of CMM, Constanza Cavalli Etro, French actor Karl E. Landler, Kean Etro, Rahul Mishraand Giulia Pirovanoof Istituto Marangoni @Saverio Chiappalone)

The Fashion Awards Ceremony was followed by a gourmet Gala Dinner, culminating with DJ Samantha Flores who opened the dance floor to the privileged guests.

Thursday, May 17, 2018 was dedicated to presentations, conferences, debates and dialogues with Fashion People at the Salon Bellevue of the Café de Paris in Casino Square, the heart of Monte-Carlo. The event started with a brief introduction by Federica Nardoni Spinetta (CMM),and followed by an interesting presentation by Michel Dotta, President of Monaco Economic Board. The objective of the conferences was to bring together CEOs, professionals, academics and buyers from all over the world to discuss the evolution of fashion, new challenges and opportunities for brands and emergent fashion designers, with an international point of view.

(Photo: Michel Dotta, Flavio Briatore, Mireille Pietri, Federica Nardoni-Spinetta, H.E. Cristiano Gallo, Celina Lafuente de Lavotha and Marcos Marin, MCFW Fashion Conferences@Daniel Guidetti)

Flavio Briatore inaugurated the Face-to-Face interactive discussion with a presentation on Billionaire Lifestyle: Luxury Services Strategies. Briatore today is an influential and renowned international figure thanks to his achievements in the world of sports and entrepreneurial ventures, under the umbrella of Billionaire Lifestyle. In 2005, Flavio Briatore founded Billionaire Couture, a niche luxury brand for men that fully expresses his style and spirit. Billionaire Lifestyle is a well-established luxury holding that ranges from F&B, entertainment, fashion, hotels & resorts, and wellness. The Billionaire way of life, in all its expressions, has become synonym with an unconventional and highly contemporary luxury, relaxed and yet superlative, only for those who allow themselves to enjoy the pleasures of life and demand always the best. Briatore has never been shy with the press and often uses the media to make his point, a process that he makes very entertaining and he will always be remembered for his amusing headline-grabbing remarks.

A highly recognized important business leader in fashion, Mr. Mario Boselli, Honorary President of the Camera Nazionale Moda Italiana (CNMI), gave a detailed presentation on CNMI, illustrating and presenting the beautiful and well crafted Made-in-Italy. He concluded his master class lecture with new fashion developments in China as in recent years business managers from all industries are increasingly looking to do business research in China to help provide insight to a variety of topics such as profitability, maturing markets, unmet needs, acquisition opportunities, innovation, competitiveness, customer preferences, regulatory affairs and beyond.

Face-to-Face discussions carried on into the international platform, and before lunch break, Miss Olga Egorovaenlightened the audience about the Caspian region, illustrating the case of their highly successful Caspian Fashion Week, highlighting fashion in the multimodal globalized world underlining the relationship between East and West, blended and mutually enriching.

The guiding thread of the Monte-Carlo fashion Week “Young, Talented, International, Emerging, Sustainable and Innovative”was emphasized by the Istituto Marangoni, one of the leading educational institutions internationally recognised as one of the leading players offering higher education in the field of fashion, art and design. The discussion was lead by Valerie Berdah-Levy andfollowed by Rahul Mishra Face-to-Face covering the designer’s challenges. Rahul Mishra is also the brand ambassador of Istituto Marangoni Paris, where he is actively involved in the life of the school by being member of the Istituto Marangoni Advisory Committee, taking part in many industry projects, giving lectures on sustainability and providing useful advice to the students.

The conferences culminated with a cocktail offered by la Chambre Monegasque de la Mode, on the panoramic terrace of the Salon Bellevue Terrace, overlooking the legendary Casino Square of Monte-Carlo.