15 Bachelor's and 3 Master's collections: a huge work for the start of a new life
The DEFILE HEAD is one of the main events of the academic year at HEAD –Genève, Geneva University of Art and Design. The 2015 fashion show presents 15 Bachelor’s programme collections and 3 Master’s programme collections lead by Ying Gao. Collections created in a workshop with 2015 LVMH Prize finalist Faustine Steinmetz will open the show, which will also feature several pieces from the ‘Animal Party’ collection presented by the school at the Milan Furniture Fair in 2015 as well as 5 collections from the first year Master’s programme and 5 collections from the Imaginarium workshop lead by Valentine Ebner and Maarten Castelein.

This year’s programme includes a few noteworthy innovations including a new venue, the Espace Hippomène (a spectacular industrial setting in a tastefully renovated former factory), and new partners, Chloé and MAC who have joined our regular partners Mercedes-Benz, Bongénie, fr.coiffure and L'Oréal Professionnel, Skynight, Hôtel N'vy and Lavinia. What remains the same, however, is the public’s enthusiasm for this event. The school’s website has recorded over 2,000 seat reservations in less than 24 hours for the fashion shows at 18:00 and 20:30!

An international Jury for two prizes
At the end of the fashion show, an independent international jury comprising experts from the fashion industry will award two prizes: the HEAD Bachelor’s Bongénie Prize worth CHF 5,000 and the HEAD Master’s Mercedes-Benz Prize worth CHF 10,000.
The President of the jury, the Fashion Designer Yiqing Yin, is surrounded by jury members at the top of the fashion industry:
Kristopher Arden-Houser, Fashion Editor, Brand consultant
Jean-Marc Brunschwig, Associate with Brunschwig & Cie SA
Magalie Guérin, Assistant Art Director for Villa Noailles and the International Festival of Fashion and Photography in Hyères
Ursula Karbacher, Curator at Textilmuseum St. Gall
Suzanne Lévesque, General Secretary, Richemont International SA
Katharina Sand, boutique owner at Septième étage, Editor of L'OFFICIEL Switzerland
Barbara Polla, Guest Professor at HEAD – Genève
Stefan Siegel, Founder and CEO of the platform Not Just a Label

The 2015 Fashion Show is placed under the artistic direction of Chinese-Canadian designer Ying Gao, who was in charge of the Fashion Design programme until last summer. Having been called on for new projects on the other side of the Atlantic, she will monitor the fashion show for the final time this year. Her appointed successor will be the young yet experienced Léa Peckre, who will take over the reins of the Fashion Design programme at HEAD. Léa has recently received the prestigious ANDAM Award for her Parisian brand as well as the Grand Prix of the International Festival of Fashion and Photography in Hyères. As for the Product and Industrial Design Department (Design and Fashion Jewelry and Accessories Design Majors), it is now in the expert in the hands of Elizabeth Fischer who has led the Jewelry and Accessory Design Major towards new horizons.

Highly acclaimed students
Let us go look back on the students’ achievements this year: Bachelor’s graduates Hélène Gagliardi, Ludovic Bourrilly and Mikael Vilchez were all nominated at the Swiss Design Awards, where Mikael Vilchez received an award. 2014 Master’s graduate Pia Farrugia also received an award at the Swiss Design Awards, while Hugo Jalabert and Lucille Mosimann, whose clothes will feature in this year’s fashion show, have both been finalists for Bolero’s Choice. 2014 Master’s graduate Magdalena Brozda, selected as one of the eight finalists out of hundreds of participants, won the People’s Prize at the prestigious H&M Design Award in Stockholm. Jenifer Burdet, also a 2014 Master’s graduate who received the Bongénie Prize and the Hans Wilsdorf Foundation Award, is now promoting her Swiss brand DYL throughout the world and has just received the Eyes on Talent Award and the ITS Fashion Award 2015 in Trieste (one of the most significant competitions in Europe). Jenifer was also lucky to see one of her creations – presented at the 2014 HEAD Fashion Show – worn on stage by Björk.

A new course in Watchmaking Design
The jewellery and accessories collections will be presented in the wings of the festival in a special setting designed by preorder&soldout – designers who graduated from HEAD. Aside from pieces of jewellery, other creations and accessories will be on display, including spectacles, bags and watches: an opportunity for the school to launch its new course in Watchmaking Design (attached to the Fashion, Jewellery and Accessory Design programme) and to make a significant contribution to the economic and cultural fabric of the city of Geneva, and its reputation as an international hub for fine watchmaking. The course will be placed under the responsibility of Marco Borracino.

ModeSuisse at Espace Hippomène
You didn't book your seats fast enough? You can always come to Espace Hippomène to discover Swiss designers presented at ModeSuisse Showroom onThursday, October 8, from 11 am to 8 pm. Access is free. Watch and buy ! Among fresh HEAD graduated designers, you'll see Jenifer Burdet Thévenaz and her brand DYL and Magdalena Brozda & Pauline Famy with WORN. Mademoiselle L, also a former HEAD student will be presented among several other Swiss designers like IAHAI, The Scream, LIDA NOBA, Pamb, Paola de Michiel and Vivian Graf.