Chloë Reners

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I:C 10x10x10 Award 2026
I:C OTB Award 2026
I:C Jury Special Mention 2026

Chloë Reners has focused on the representation of women in Surrealism, their bodies fragmented or transformed into something that goes further. The magical realism of painter George Underwood - who reimagined female figures in a way that feels important mythically or symbolically, often depicting them wrapped in curved surfaces - has inspired her in exploring the concept of how representations can shape our perception of reality. This disconnection strongly resonated with Chloë’s own exploration of surreal portrayals of women in art, of how these influence the way society constructs idealised images that do not correspond to reality. It has led her to question fixed ideas of beauty and identity, ultimately bringing to life Underwood’s opus.

I:C 10x10x10 Award 2026

All winners will receive:

a 10 days creative Residency
10 months feature in the “RISE AND SHINE” Exhibition at ITS Arcademy – Museum of Art in Fashion
€10,000

I:C OTB Award 2026

The OTB Group will offer a day of training visits to OTB’s headquarters, where young designers will be able to see first-hand the stages involved in creating the Group’s brands’ garments and accessories, as well as a mentoring and coaching session on best practices in sustainability with OTB Group experts.

Motivation

We had the pleasure of welcoming the young ITS designers to the headquarters of OTB Group and Diesel. We shared with them our commitment to sustainability, and it was inspiring to see how much curiosity they showed towards these topics. At the same time, engaging with young designers from all over the world brought energy, freshness, and diverse perspectives, continuously enriching and nurturing our company’s DNA. Moments like these represent a true exchange: on one hand, the opportunity to share what we do every day in our work; on the other, the chance to offer insights, suggestions, and a concrete vision of what it means to build one’s own path in the fashion industry. During the visit, the designers had direct contact with the Diesel denim world, visiting the brand’s headquarters, its creative spaces, and the historical archive, which holds over 80,000 research and collection pieces from 1978 to today. Sharing our passion and the story of this brand with curious and passionate young talents is always an opportunity for mutual inspiration.

I:C Jury Special Mention 2026

The I:C Jury Special Mention is a special recognition awarded to an ITS Contest 2026 designer, offering support that aligns with their unique needs and creative aspirations. It is a commitment by Fondazione ITS that goes beyond celebration, becoming a concrete, long-term investment in the designer’s growth through mentorship, professional networking, and access to key industry opportunities.

Rooted in genuine listening and deep understanding , this mention serves as a springboard for the future, empowering emerging talent and helping to shape the next steps of their creative journey.

In addition, the designer will return the following year as a jury member, joining a unique ITS network which includes some of the most renowned fashion insiders, and providing guidance to the next generation of emerging talents.

Motivation

Chloë commands a likeable authority, balancing her well-researched expertise with a confident vision for the future. Offering a much needed female perspective in a still male dominated industry, Chloë has the potential to steer the helm of a fashion house. Composure, patience, and obsession combined, she possesses an array of attributes that justify her receipt of this year's Jury Special Mention.

Project selection motivation

Rarely does a designer have the ability to powerfully re-create the visual significance of what other artists have achieved in their own realms. Chloë Reners takes off from George Underwood’s work as if it were an excuse - and it is not - to show-off how she masters construction and shape. Each garment is a journey in surreal versions of a woman’s body, three-dimensional works of art that not only strengthen Underwood’s legacy but carry its philosophical questions into the fashion arena.