The FIDA 2025 Summer Fashion Art Prize Announcement
A Celebration of Seasonal Style and Contemporary Craft
In partnership with IOAKU – The Lovechild of Paris and Stockholm*
The FIDA Summer Fashion Art Prize 2025 has drawn to a close, leaving a vivid trail of creativity, vision, and artistic excellence. Celebrating the spirit of summer through the lens of fashion illustration, this year’s prize, held in collaboration with IOAKU Jewellery, spotlighted artists who translated sun-drenched inspiration into works of exceptional elegance and character. The entries explored everything from sensory pleasures to sophisticated silhouettes, drawing on themes of escape, scent, flavour, and style.
There was a strong sense of storytelling running through many of the illustrations – the artists responded not only to the brief, but to the rhythm of summer itself: unhurried, radiant, nostalgic. This spirit was beautifully in step with IOAKU’s unique approach to identity, elegance, and personal storytelling through design.
We are delighted to present some of the most memorable pieces from the FIDA Summer Fashion Art Prize 2025, and to share the winner, runner up and finalists.
SUMMER FASHION ART PRIZE OVERALL WINNER: Bar Persi
Artwork above by Bar Persi - Overall Winner of the Summer Fashion Art Prize
At the heart of this year’s awards is Bar Persi, crowned as the overall winner of the Summer Fashion Art Prize. A rising star in the illustration world, Bar’s work stands out for its tactile quality and refined simplicity. Using traditional materials – pastels and chalks on coloured paper – Bar created a portrait that does more than just echo the visual palette of summer; it feels alive with warmth, grace, and a touch of quiet confidence. Her use of texture and subtle colour accents within a chic, stylish figure gives the viewer a full sensory experience, pulling us into a moment that balances fashion and emotion. Her technique evokes the quiet intimacy of sketchbooks, while also holding the polish of editorial elegance. Bar Persi's winning piece will be featured in the Summer Fashion Art Fair and also exhibited and featured at London Fashion Week in September.
SUMMER FASHION ART PRIZE RUNNER UP: Amélie-Rose Boudjema
Artwork above by Amélie-Rose Boudjema – SUMMER FASHION ART PRIZE RUNNER UP
Amélie-Rose Boudjema, this year’s runner-up, charmed us with her saturated, joyfully imagined piece. Her work features a poised female character, crowned with an oversized mosaic-printed hat and artisan sunglasses that shimmer with reflective surfaces. It’s a portrait of summer nonchalance and sophistication – of icons lounging by the beach, immersed in style, sunshine, and shared passion for craftsmanship. As a traditional fashion illustrator from France, Amélie-Rose fuses classical fashion drawing with a whimsical narrative, telling a story that feels both cinematic and editorial.
Artwork above by Valya Papadopoulou – SUMMER FASHION ART PRIZE FINALIST
The remaining finalists formed a rich and diverse roster of talent – ranging from emerging voices to established names. Valya Papadopoulou caught attention with her meditative still life against a summer back drop, capturing not only the landscape of a summer day but the sensual mix of leisure and luxury.
Artwork above by Marta Ruiz – SUMMER FASHION ART PRIZE FINALIST
Marta Ruiz, a respected figure in fashion circles, impressed with bold illustrations of female figures rendered in vivid colour blocks and expressive marks. Her ability to distil movement and fashion into graphic, emotionally charged compositions marks her work with unmistakable flair.
Artwork above by Diletta Burchielli – SUMMER FASHION ART PRIZE FINALIST
Diletta Burchielli introduced a Fauvist-inspired palette in her portrait, where a model wears lemon-shaped earrings and bold, flat blocks of colour frame the face like cut-paper collage – playful yet poignant, the essence of modern expressionism.
Artwork above by Zillah Farey – SUMMER FASHION ART PRIZE FINALIST
Zillah Farey brought a raw and spontaneous energy to the selection, submitting drawings in rainbow-like biro and pen; swirling lines forming dense webs reminiscent of school notebook doodles – simultaneously innocent and expertly crafted.
Artwork by Fredha – SUMMER FASHION ART PRIZE FINALIST
Among the other stand-out entries, Fredha painted a vibrant group of women encircled by summer indulgences – cocktails, shellfish, fruits – in a composition nodding to nostalgic poster design and vintage advertisement styles.
Artwork by Ainoa Aranda – SUMMER FASHION ART PRIZE FINALIST
Ainoa Aranda explored the theme of summer scent through illustration, capturing the sensory world of perfume with a dreamy bottle gleaming under a golden sun.
Artwork by Verònica Fernández Boix – SUMMER FASHION ART PRIZE FINALIST
Verònica Fernández Boix produced a wonderfully textural piece inspired by impressionist masters like Van Gogh, using a thick impasto style to render her subject with emotional depth and a nod to historical painting traditions.
Artwork by Helena Hamina – SUMMER FASHION ART PRIZE FINALIST
Rounding out the list, Helena Hamina added a fresh perspective with her dreamy cowgirl figure set against Matisse-inspired blues – an expressive, contemporary twist on a classic muse.
SUMMER FASHION ART PRIZE STUDENT WINNER: Bar Persi
Artwork by Bar Persi – SUMMER FASHION ART PRIZE STUDENT WINNER
This year’s Student Prize was awarded to Bar Persi, who entered both categories – and whose standout entries also earned her the Overall Winner title – a rare and well-deserved double honour. Her submission envisioned a striking Vogue magazine cover, demonstrating her remarkable command of traditional media, including coloured pencils, pastels, chalks, and coloured paper. The illustration features a poised female figure adorned with an intricately woven sunhat, its texture and form casting delicate shadows across the face. The careful interplay of light and detail creates a radiant, summery glow, showcasing Bar’s technical skill and artistic sensitivity. Her ability to balance refined craftsmanship with contemporary fashion storytelling made this entry truly unforgettable.
The 2025 Summer Fashion Art Prize demonstrates once again the transformative power of fashion illustration. More than just capturing outfits or trends, these artworks offer atmosphere, storytelling, and personal reflection. With IOAKU Jewellery as this year’s visionary partner, the prize successfully bridged the worlds of fine art, fashion, and design – honouring the hand of the artist in a digital age, and celebrating fashion as a language of culture, identity, and imagination.
As the sun sets on this summer’s competition, Fida continues to shine a spotlight on illustrators who redefine how we see and feel fashion. Thank you to all those who participated and congratulations to all those who were selected!
* Special Thanks to Fanny Ek & IOAKU
We extend our warmest thanks and deep appreciation to Fanny Ek, CEO and founder of IOAKU, for her generous support of this year’s FIDA Summer Art Prize. Fanny’s discerning eye and passion for design played a vital role in selecting our 2025 winner and runner-up. Her commitment to championing creative talent and her belief in the power of illustration to elevate fashion storytelling brought both integrity and inspiration to the judging process. Fanny’s involvement has added a meaningful layer of connection between fashion, craftsmanship, and creativity.
