The Festival International des Créateurs de Mode runs October 9–11. For the first time, all ten finalists are women, and the runway shows will be open to the public.
The festival marks its 30th edition and tenth year in Dinan. It began in Saint-Malo in 1996, spent 20 years in Dinard and moved to Dinan after the former host city declined to renew it. Founder and president Dominique Damien Réhel told Franceinfo that nearly 20 designers took part in the first edition.
Organisers received more than 400 applications for 2026 and selected ten finalists. Five will show womenswear, four gender-neutral collections and one menswear. Réhel said the contest values both creativity and whether clothes can be worn, sold and produced. He estimated that about 90% of the collections are wearable. He cited past finalist Rebecca Nardi, who worked with recycled seat belts, as an example of distinctive design worth supporting.
Finalists will compete for the Grand Prix de Dinan and partner awards, including opportunities to create a capsule collection, take a placement with Pierre Cardin and travel to professional fashion fairs. The anniversary programme also welcomes Ken Okada, Manix Wong and 2025 winner Julien Paoletti. Nelly-Claire Rodi will chair the jury.
Réhel said public access is central to the festival. Unlike many Paris Fashion Week shows, Dinan’s events do not require an invitation. Visitors can vote for looks through local shops and social media. This year the festival supports Coucou Nous Voilou, an association that improves daily life for hospitalised children and teenagers.