The Errant Æsthete

What’s not to love about Hyères? Just as summer temperatures begin to hot up, so the art, photography and fashion crowds descend simultaneously on the otherwise sleepy French town. And for one extended weekend each year in April Villa Noailles becomes a bacchanalian hub in homage to the arts.

Robert Mallet-Stevens’ 1920’s modernist dwelling plays host to two concurrent competitions that form the nucleus of the festival: one fashion and one photography prize, each whittled down to ten finalists in advance and judged by a panel of notables over the four days.

As well as polite awards and exhibitions, Hyères is where cards are exchanged, new talent signed and old colleagues reunited. One young photography finalist was signed within five minutes of the exhibition being opened and the keen sense of opportunity that runs throughout Hyeres reaches fever pitch after dark where everyone, regardless of age or experience, rubs shoulders until dawn. Once again, what’s not to love about Hyères?

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