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Two Aalto people, alumna Sanna Lehto and MA student Antonina Sedakova, received awards at the prestigious Hyères International Festival of Fashion and Photography this year.

Sanna Lehto was awarded the Public Prize for her photo series "Morphologies".

"It has been a great experience to be a part of the Hyères Festival," she said. "I have met so many new people and learned a lot to talk about my art more fluently."

Antonina Sedakova, a MA student in the Fashion, Clothing and Textile Design programme, was recognized for her collection Communication Tube with a special prize by the Chinese label Exception de Mixmind.

Antonina Sedakova. Photo © Chris Vidal Tenomaa

"My collection is based on youth culture in the Soviet Union in the 1980s. When my mother was a student she was forced to work in reform camps for youth who were misbehaving. I wanted to capture the look and energy of that time,” says Sedakova.

Sedakova and Lehto were two of a total of five Aalto people nominated as Hyères finalists. Also included in the shortlist were fashion designers Anna Isoniemi and Linda Kokkonen. Alumnus Jaakko Kahilaniemi was nominated as finalist in the photography competition.

About Hyères

The International Hyères Festival of Fashion, Photography and Accessories has been held in Hyères, France, since 1985. In its 33rd year, it is considered one of the most prestigious competition for young designers and photographers in the world. The festival jury was chaired by Haider Ackermann, former creative director of Berluti. Past Grand Prix winners include Saint Laurent creative director Anthony Vaccarello and Lacoste’s Felipe Olivera Baptista.