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Unveil artistic brilliance
Welcome to the Saint Michel Honor Prize gala and exhibition. Immerse yourself in a world where creativity and innovation converge, celebrating the finest in fashion, design and visual arts.
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*This financial voucher is exclusively allocated to cover all logistics, VIP access, and professional production costs for the winner’s international debut in Cannes.
Uncover the Saint Michel Honor Prize vision
Celebrating artistic and design excellence
The Saint Michel Honor Prize celebrates outstanding achievements in visual arts, design and fashion. Our mission is to champion artistic talent and innovation. We aim to support models, artists and designers and enrich the cultural landscape. The gala and exhibition showcase diverse faces, artworks and statment pieces. Explore the talent and creativity on display.
Empório Aragão proudly support the categories 'The New Face of the Year,' aimed at discovering the next generation of top models, and 'Revelation Designer,' celebrating fresh talent in fashion and accessories.
Empório Aragão proudly support the categories 'The New Face of the Year,' aimed at discovering the next generation of top models, and 'Revelation Designer,' celebrating fresh talent in fashion and accessories.
Winner’s Benefits:
> Official Title: Appointment as the Official Face of Empório Aragão for the upcoming 2027/28 season.
> Career Investment: Awarded as a Financial Career Voucher to support your professional growth.
> Exclusive Cannes Photoshoot: A private session in Cannes with our elite creative team.
> Red Carpet Access: Exclusive access to the prestige of the Red Carpet.
> Premium Logistics: Full private transfer services and premium accommodation included.
> Career Investment: Awarded as a Financial Career Voucher to support your professional growth.
> Exclusive Cannes Photoshoot: A private session in Cannes with our elite creative team.
> Red Carpet Access: Exclusive access to the prestige of the Red Carpet.
> Premium Logistics: Full private transfer services and premium accommodation included.
> High-End Production: Complete professional production support for all scheduled activities.
Winner’s Benefits:
> Global Showcase: Each selected nominee will have a physical piece exhibited in our exclusive Cannes Showroom.
> Cash prize: €500 cash prize for career support.
> Elite Exposure: A unique platform to display your craftsmanship to an international jury, elite guests, and industry leaders during the Cannes Film Festival.
> Industry Recognition: Official recognition as a leading new voice in fashion and jewelry, celebrating innovation and trend-setting vision.
> Strategic Networking: Direct access to a high-level network of professionals and potential collaborators at one of the world's most prestigious events.
> Cash prize: €500 cash prize for career support.
> Elite Exposure: A unique platform to display your craftsmanship to an international jury, elite guests, and industry leaders during the Cannes Film Festival.
> Industry Recognition: Official recognition as a leading new voice in fashion and jewelry, celebrating innovation and trend-setting vision.
> Strategic Networking: Direct access to a high-level network of professionals and potential collaborators at one of the world's most prestigious events.
> Brand Association: The prestige of being linked to the Empório Aragão DNA, synonymous with visionary boldness and elegance.
Witness artistic innovation
Step into a curated gallery of nominated models, designers and artists and their exceptional work. Be captivated by a diverse spectrum of styles, faces, techniques, and artistic visions.
Winner model walks the Cannes Film Festival Red Carpet
The winner will enjoy a VIP experience and international visibility, with premium accommodation and red carpet transfers included.
Gala event highlights at The Haute Couture Boat Paris
A private art and fashion exhibition event in Cannes, held at Boulevard Carnot, exclusive to red carpet attendants and
jury, with a final awards ceremony on board The Haute Couture Boat in Paris.
jury, with a final awards ceremony on board The Haute Couture Boat in Paris.
Nominated designers showcase at Cannes Film Festival Showroom
Detailed presentation of individual pieces, emphasizing techniques and styles.
THE GALA
Experience the exhibition
Explore the exhibition journey, from artwork/statment piece selection to its final presentation. Get acquainted with the requirements and prepare to witness a showcase of visual artistry.
Models/Designers selection
Understand the criteria for choosing finalists.
Showroom display
Observe the final exhibition layout.
Participation details
Learn the entry requirements.
Understand the guidelines
Review the detailed regulations for participation. Ensure your eligibility and familiarize yourself with the guidelines for all participants.
- EligibilityReview the criteria to ensure eligibility for the art prize.
- GuidelinesFamiliarize yourself with the guidelines for models and designers.
- TermsUnderstand the terms of participation in the prize.
- DetailsRead the detailed rules for participation.
Rules and Terms of Participation
- Models and designers of all nationalities, aged 18 and over, may apply.
- Designer Candidates must submit one Main Piece/Look (for competition) and a digital portfolio (3-4 looks) for consistency evaluation.
- Models must submit a Composite Card (business card with photos and measurements), Portfolio, and a Walk Video.
- All creations must be original and of the sole authorship of the candidate.
- 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.
The winner of The New Face of the Year will be thrust into the global spotlight during the world’s most prestigious cinematic event.
2. The Award Ceremony (The Haute Couture Boat)
The official recognition takes place in an atmosphere of ultimate exclusivity.
- The Grand Opening: The winner is guaranteed official accreditation for the Cannes Film Festival 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 is lived in Cannes, the title of The New Face of the Year is 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 Film Festival.
2. Paris Phase (The Gala Event)
The private showroom in Cannes is an exclusive hub for high-profile red carpet personalities, stylists, and patrons during the Film Festival.
- 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:
- The Face of the Brand: Become the official face of Empório Aragão for one year.
- Cannes Professional Photoshoot: A high-end fashion photoshoot in Cannes (May 2026).
- 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.
- 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.
- Payment will be made upon presentation of a legally valid receipt (Invoice/Receipt).
The New Face of the Year:
- Image Rights: As this award is a promotional partnership, the winner agrees to grant Empório Aragão the right to use their image (from the photoshoot and Cannes events) for promotional, advertising, and editorial purposes for a period of 12 months, free of charge.
- Social Media Advocacy: Participants agree to promote the brand and the Saint Michel Honor Prize on their personal social media channels (stories, posts, and tags) during the event cycle in Cannes and Paris.
- AI Integration: The model consents to the use of their facial and corporal likeness in AI-generated campaign layouts, ensuring a high-fashion, cohesive brand aesthetic.
- Applications Open: 01/01/2026
- Closing Date: 15/04/2026
- Announcement of finalists: 30/04/2026
- Announcement of Qualifiers for the Paris Stage: 01/09/2026
- Private Showroom in Cannes: from 09/05/2026 to 12/05/2026
- 'The Haute Couture Boat' Event in Paris and Announcement of Winners: 03/10/2026
Evaluation Process
The selection process is divided into two stages:
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.
The selection process is divided into two stages:
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.
The jury will evaluate applications based on:
- Technical Quality and Mastery of Materials.
- Originality and Artistic Identity.
- Conceptual Coherence.
- Portfolio Consistency.
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
While the Cannes showroom is primarily an exhibition for prize candidacy, should there be interest from a buyer in acquiring any work:
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:
- Self-Managed: The designer generates the return label through their preferred courier and emails the PDF file to us.
- 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.
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 30% 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.
Visualize the experience
Browse through photos revealing the exhibition and gala spaces and highlights from previous events. Gain a visual preview of the art displays and the event ambiance.
Secure your attendance
Register to join the gala and exhibition. Reserve your place to experience the awards, view the artworks, and celebrate the artists.