Timisola Shasanya wins the 2026 AMI x IFM Entrepreneurship Award
The 5th edition of the AMI x IFM Entrepreneurship Award, organized by AMI Paris in partnership with IFM, once again highlighted a new generation of committed and innovative talents.
The 2026 Grand Prize was awarded to Timisola Shasanya for her ready-to-wear label TIMISOLA. A student in the Master of Arts in Fashion Design at IFM, she stood out for her distinctive creative approach, shaped by her Nigerian and British heritage. Her collection The Orchard and Me explores notions of identity and belonging through menswear silhouettes and sculptural footwear, blending cultural memory with contemporary design.
As part of the award, she will benefit from one year of mentorship from jury members, along with financial support of €20,000 to further develop her brand.
The jury also recognized two standout projects with Special Jury Prizes:
- ël, a jewelry brand founded by Gaëlle and Raphaël, celebrating Arabic calligraphy through handcrafted pieces made in Lebanon
- Naya Ahdab, for her eponymous label, offering a sensitive and engaged approach to fashion
Each will receive €5,000 to support the development of their projects.
This year, the jury brought together leading figures from the worlds of design, culture, entrepreneurship, and media:
- Nicolas Santi-Weil – CEO of Ami Paris
- Alexandre Mattiussi – Founder and Creative Director, Ami Paris
- Audrey Marnay – Model
- Emeric Tchatchoua – Fashion Designer
- Sarah Lavoine – Designer and Interior Decorator
- Julien Colonna – Director and Screenwriter
- Juliette Castay – Art Director
- Charlotte Castay – Art Director
- Jeanne Damas – Designer and Entrepreneur
- Laure Guilbault – Journalist
Created by Alexandre Mattiussi and Nicolas Santi-Weil, the AMI x IFM Entrepreneurship Award reflects a shared commitment to supporting emerging designers. For the past five years, the initiative has supported students and entrepreneurs from IFM’s Fashion Entrepreneurship Center, providing a structured framework to develop their projects and accelerate their entry into the industry.
