Models and designers of all nationalities, aged 18 and over, may apply.

For Designers:

1. Designer Candidates must submit one Main Piece/Look (for competition) and a digital portfolio (3-4 looks) for consistency evaluation.
2. All creations must be original and of the sole authorship of the candidate.
3. Registration Fee: A non-refundable application fee of 100€ (one hundred euros) is required for all candidates, except for designers with an active annual membership with Empório Aragão, for whom the entry is already included. This fee covers the administrative costs of the curatorial pre-selection and the technical management of the pieces and digital files for the jury's evaluation and virtual showcase in Cannes.

For Models:

1. Models must submit a Composite Card (business card with photos and measurements), Portfolio, and a Walk Video.
2. All creations must be original and of the sole authorship of the candidate.
3. Registration Fee: A non-refundable application fee of 100€ (one hundred euros) is required for all candidates, except for the models who are part of The Haute Couture Boat fashion show with Empório Aragão, for whom the entry is already included.

The winner of The New Face of the Year will be thrust into the global spotlight during the world’s most prestigious cinematic event.

• The Grand Opening: The winner is guaranteed official accreditation for the Cannes Opening Gala, walking the Red Carpet on the night when all eyes are on the Croisette.
• VIP Styling & Presence: To ensure a flawless appearance, the organization provides Professional Hair & Makeup and exclusive Styling by Empório Aragão.
• Red Carpet Logistics: Private transfer to the red carpet and professional photography during the walk to capture this career-defining moment.
• The Cannes Photoshoot: During the stay, the winner will undergo a core editorial photoshoot with our creative team to enhance their international portfolio.
• Premium Stay: Accommodation is provided in a Luxury Loft in the heart of Cannes.
• Final Announcement: While the experience begins in Cannes, the official award ceremony takes place in Paris, marking the ultimate seal of excellence for the upcoming 2027/28 season.

2. The Award Ceremony (The Haute Couture Boat)
The official recognition takes place in an atmosphere of ultimate exclusivity.

• Award Reception: The winner must be present at the The Haute Couture Boat event for the symbolic reception of the trophy.
• Networking: This is a unique opportunity to connect with the international jury, fashion icons, and industry leaders in a private, high-end maritime setting.

1. Cannes Phase (Showroom & Jury Evaluation)
The private showroom in Cannes is an exclusive hub for high-profile red carpet personalities, stylists, and patrons during the Cannes Season.

• Exhibition Format:
• Annual Fee Members: Guaranteed Physical Exhibition of their main piece in the Cannes Showroom as well as the 4 extra pieces/ looks. They have priority for "Red Carpet Fittings," where celebrities may select their pieces to wear during the festival.
• Standard Applicants (€100): Digital Showcase (high-resolution virtual display or hologram). Physical exhibition is strictly reserved for 3 selected Finalists by the curatorial team, subject to space availability.
• Privacy Policy & Artistic Record: To ensure the professional promotion of all participants, the organization will provide high-quality photographs of the works as installed in the showroom. However, to respect the strict privacy and security of our high-profile guests and red carpet personalities, photography of individuals during the fittings is strictly prohibited, and no images of guests will be shared or permitted. The focus of all visual documentation will remain exclusively on the artistic merit and the exhibition setting.
• Physical Delivery: Finalists and Premium Members must deliver pieces to 53 Boulevard Carnot, 06400 Cannes, between May 8th (3:00 PM) and May 9th (7:00 PM).
• Return of Works: All pieces must be collected on May 14th. Pre-paid shipping labels must be provided by May 1st.
• Photography & Content: Premium Members will receive a professional "Social Media Kit" featuring high-quality photos/videos of their work in the Cannes showroom setting and, if selected for red carpet, the red carpet look photo (subject to guest approval/availability). Standard applicants receive basic documentation of the digital/physical display.

2. Paris Phase (The Gala Event)

• Final Selection: The international jury will select the Winner and Honorable Mentions based on the Cannes evaluation.
• Physical Exhibition in Paris: Reserved exclusively for the Winner and Honorable Mentions, if applicable.
• Logistics: Selected designers must re-ship or deliver the awarded piece to 5 Rue Alfred de Musset, 92240 Malakoff, between October 1st and 2nd.

• The monetary prize for Revelation Designer winner is €500 (one thousand euros).

• The New Face of the Year prize is awarded as a €5000 Financial Career Voucher. The winner of the "New Face of the Year" will receive:

1. The Face of the Brand: Become the official face of Empório Aragão for one year.
2. Cannes Professional Photoshoot: A high-end fashion photoshoot in Cannes (May 2026).
3. Global Promotion (AI-Enhanced): The images from the Cannes photoshoot will be used to create a cohesive, AI-powered marketing campaign. This campaign will be featured across our social media networks, official websites, and partner international magazines.
4. Red Carpet Opportunity (Special Distinction): Subject to brand selection and festival protocols, the winner (or top finalists) may be invited to represent Empório Aragão on the Cannes Film Festival Red Carpet, wearing the brand’s exclusive designs.

This voucher is exclusively allocated to cover all on-site logistics in Cannes, VIP access, and professional production costs. Please note: travel expenses to and from Cannes or Paris are not included.

• Payment will be made upon presentation of a legally valid receipt (Invoice/Receipt).

Evaluation Process
The selection process is divided into two stages:

For Designers:
1. Pre-Selection (Curatorship): Empório Aragão will conduct an initial screening to ensure all entries meet the technical and artistic standards of the prize. Designers with an active annual membership with Empório Aragão are granted automatic finalist status. All other applicants will undergo a preliminary curatorial review to determine their entry into the finalist phase.
2. Final Judging: An international jury will evaluate the pre-selected works during the Cannes showroom to determine the Winner and Honorable Mentions based on artistic merit.

Important regarding the Jury: To ensure total impartiality, the jury remains independent from the Empório Aragão or São Rafael Galleries, with the exception of the New Face of the Year category, and will evaluate your work through a blind process, focusing solely on technical and conceptual merit.

To ensure total impartiality, the jury will not have access to the identity or biography of the designers during the technical and conceptual evaluation phase.
Phase 1 (Blind Curatorship): The jury will only have access to images of the designer pieces, technical details, and the descriptive memorandum. Any mention of the designer's name or CV in the fields intended for the pieces will result in immediate disqualification.
Phase 2 (Announcement): Designers identities will be revealed only after the final selection of winners and honorable mentions. Selected designers for Paris will be notified by September 1st. However, the specific rank (Winner vs. Honorable Mention) will be kept confidential and revealed only during the official ceremony on October 3rd.

For Models:
1. Pre-Selection: Empório Aragão will conduct an initial screening to ensure all entries meet the technical and artistic standards of the prize.
2. Final Judging: An Empório Aragão brand representative and a guest external jury will evaluate the candidate models before the Cannes Season to determine the 1st Prize and 2nd Prize winners based on professional merit.

To ensure the safe and efficient return of designers physical pieces exhibited at the Cannes private showroom, all participating finalists must comply with the following procedures:

Cannes Showroom

• Collection Date: All works must be collected from the showroom address on May 14th.
• Shipping Labels: Designers are required to send their return shipping labels to our email no later than May 1st.
• Management Options:

1. Self-Managed: The designer generates the return label through their preferred courier and emails the PDF file to us.
2. Brand-Assisted: The designer may request Empório Aragão to generate the label on their behalf. This request must be made via email by the deadline, followed by the respective payment of shipping costs.

Important Note: Providing the shipping label or completing the payment in advance is mandatory to ensure a smooth and immediate dispatch process once the event concludes.

While the Cannes showroom is primarily an exhibition for prize candidacy, should there be interest from a buyer in acquiring any work:

• Commission: Empório Aragão will apply a 20% commission on the final sale price.
• Coverage: This commission is designed to cover administrative invoicing expenses and the logistics of shipping the piece directly to the final client.