New fashion star wins Ami x IFM award
The fourth edition of the Prix Ami x IFM rewarded a project as sensitive as it was visionary. Behind the Matho brand is a designer who embodies a new generation of inclusive, technical and responsible fashion.
A singular vision, hailed by an entire jury
Léa Mathonière Fallot, founder of the Matho brand, is this year’s winner of the prestigious Ami x IFM Entrepreneurship Prize, worth 20,000 euros. Organized by Parisian fashion label Ami in partnership with the Institut Français de la Mode, the prize supports projects launched by students and alumni of the Fashion Entrepreneurship Center.
Léa, a graduate of the Duperré school, made a name for herself with a proposal centered on sensual, sculptural knitwear, a skill she has been developing since 2022. Dresses, skirts and tops with organic lines: her textile universe evokes both softness and exacting craftsmanship.
A clear ambition and strong values
Matho’s appeal goes beyond aesthetics. Its founder’s speech, considered precise, structured and deeply human, left a lasting impression. ” She perfectly embodies the values of the prize,” confides Nicolas Santi-Weil, General Manager of Ami. By emphasizing ethical sourcing, cost control and the young talent that accompanies her, Léa offers a coherent, modern project for fairer fashion.
Daring finalists, between urban culture and textile innovation
Another highlight was the Coup de Cœur prize awarded to Telmet, the duo formed by Léo Ciavarella and César Noyer. Their radical visual universe, nourished by stories and urban references, has come to life through a provocative capsule collection: “Who Wanna Fuck Telmet?”. The project, born at the Casa 93 school, illustrates a new creative scene, free and impertinent.
Other projects in the running include Tangoli (upcycled fashion from Haute Couture offcuts), Prestesse (textiles that are non-toxic to the skin), MySupplyR (an artisan/customer networking platform) and [lina .kuεli]which invents “objets-à-porter”.
What next?
Much more than a prize, this initiative offers a strategic springboard. Some of the finalist brands, such as Lora Sonney and CACHÍ, have since joined the official Paris Fashion Week showroom. For Matho, one thing is certain: the next step will take place in September, with a highly anticipated collection.
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