Vilcek Prize Honors Immigrant Innovators in Fashion, Art, and Science
Honoring Immigrant Contributions to Art, Science, and Fashion
The Vilcek Foundation has honored 14 individuals for their exceptional contributions to the fields of fashion, art, and biomedical research. These prizewinners come from 11 different countries, including Austria, Canada, Colombia, France, India, Japan, Mexico, Peru, Togo, Turkey, and Vietnam. The foundation’s annual prizes, which have been awarded since 2006, celebrate the impact of immigrants on societal progress in the United States. Over the years, the foundation has distributed a total of $9.6 million to individuals whose unique perspectives, creativity, and vision have significantly enriched American culture.
“From uncovering new biological pathways for treating diseases to creating new bio-based, sustainable textiles, immigrants in the U.S. are developing innovative solutions to some of the world’s most pressing problems,” said Rick Kinsel, president of the Vilcek Foundation. “The Vilcek Prizes not only recognize outstanding immigrant achievements in the arts, biomedical science, and art history, but are investments in the future of American progress as well.”
Fashion and Culture Prizes
In addition to recognizing excellence in biomedical research and art history, the foundation also awarded nine prizes in the field of fashion. These awards celebrate immigrants who document fashion through writing, research, curation, styling, and image making.
Tanya Melendez-Escalante received the $100,000 Vilcek Prize for Fashion & Culture for her work as an arts administrator and fashion curator at The Museum at FIT. Her exhibitions and programs highlight the diversity of talent from across Latin America. She grew up in Mexico City and moved to the U.S. to pursue her MA in museum studies: costume and textiles from the Fashion Institute of Technology.
Four recipients were awarded the $50,000 Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise in Fashion & Culture. They include:
- Diego Bendezu – A Peruvian fashion photographer known for his visual storytelling that centers on Latin American and immigrant narratives.
- Jalan and Jibril Durimel – Twin brothers from France, raised in Miami and St. Maarten, recognized for presenting fashion as part of a broader exploration of fictitious storytelling, color, and light.
- Natalie Nudell – A Canadian-born fashion and textile historian at FIT, who created the Fashion Calendar Research Database, highlighting the integral role of underrepresented communities in the fashion industry.
Fashion and Design Prizes
The Vilcek Prizes in Fashion & Design honor immigrants who elevate fashion through design practice, material innovation, makeup, and hairstyling.
Peter Do was awarded the $100,000 Vilcek Prize in Fashion & Design for his versatile clothing designs that prioritize durability and comfort. Born in Vietnam, he moved to the suburbs of Philadelphia when he was 14, where he witnessed the challenges faced by immigrants in the U.S.
Three recipients were awarded the $50,000 Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise in Fashion & Design:
- Jacques Agbobly – Born in Togo, Agbobly was inspired to pursue a career in fashion after seeing his mother braid hair to support their new life in Chicago. He is a full-time designer and professor at Parsons School of Design, building an American fashion house centered on Black identity and Togolese craftsmanship.
- Marcelo Gutierrez – A Colombian immigrant recognized for his makeup artistry.
- Uyen Tran – Hailing from Da Nang, Vietnam, Tran was awarded for her leadership in developing sustainable products that support both people and the planet. She founded TomTex Inc., which transforms mushrooms and organic materials into fabrics that mimic the beauty and performance of leather without plastics or toxins.
Continuing the Legacy
The Vilcek Foundation continues to support and celebrate the contributions of immigrants in the U.S. Through its various prizes, it recognizes the transformative power of diverse perspectives and creative expression. These awards not only honor individual achievements but also reinforce the idea that immigration is a vital force driving innovation and cultural enrichment in America.
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