IRIS VAN HERPEN NAMED AS FIRST RECIPIENT OF THE PERRIER-JOUËT DESIGN FOR NATURE AWARD
words by PHOEBE GIBSON-DOUGALL
In news that is music to the ears of haute couture fans everywhere, the first lady of Dutch fashion Iris van Herpen has been announced as the winner of the inaugural Perrier-Jouët Design for Nature Award. The prize, co-created by Maison Perrier-Jouët and Design Miami, spotlights designers pushing sustainability in bold and creative ways, through the spirit of Art Nouveau—a philosophy that celebrates the profound interconnectedness of nature, culture, and creativity.
image courtesy of BACCHUS AGENCY
Iris van Herpen, who founded her eponymous Maison in 2007, is widely heralded as one of fashion’s most forward-thinking designers. Her otherworldly creations and embrace of the avant-garde have earned her legions of fans amongst celebrities, fashion media, and the public. Her designs constantly expand the frontier between nature, culture and innovation, integrating cutting-edge science and organic forms into her process of expert craftsmanship.
As the recipient of this award, van Herpen receives a carte blanche commission to design a new work that expands on the nature-driven approach seen in her recent Sympoiesis collection. This new creation will be set to debut at Design Miami 2026, an immersive design showcase that provides a global platform for extraordinary collectible design, held annually in the city.
image courtesy of BACCHUS AGENCY
“I am deeply honoured to receive the Perrier-Jouët Design for Nature Award,” says Iris van Herpen. “My work has long explored the symbiosis between fashion and art. The opportunity to create a design-led experience at Design Miami 2026 is really inspiring and allows me to deepen my exploration of the ever-shifting relationship between our body and the living forces of nature.”
By fusing couture with science, van Herpen radically reimagines the artform, constructing a future for haute couture that is as exciting as it is hopeful.
