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IFA Paris × HONOR Competition: Student Stories Behind the Phone Case Designs

Exploring RAW Creativity

Uyanga, a Bachelor Fashion Design student, focused on expressing an authentic and unfiltered vision. “As a 1st year student I think it was a very good opportunity to express my creative vision into something that was tangible,” she explains.

Her project, Core, is inspired by punk culture and the human body, exploring emotions such as unease and discomfort. “I wanted something raw because for me fashion is raw, authentic and unfiltered. For that purpose, I named my project Core. It’s not something that is conventionally beautiful to the eyes of the public. It was always to get a reaction, provoke an emotion,” she continues.

The contest also pushed Uyanga to develop new technical skills. “It was definitely a challenge and a fun one, because as a fashion student, technical skills such as drawing digitally are very important. I used to always do it manually and this was my first time digital drawing. This competition has me push into tossing around with Photoshop, Illustrator, trying and discovering and improving my skills.”

 

Innovation and Technical Design

Warren, conceptual artist and student at IFA Paris, approached the brief with a technical lens. “The reason I decided to take part in this competition is it’s a huge challenge. I consider the work that I do multi-disciplinary. The competition is basically asking us to do product design so I came up with my own way of how to approach it differently. I wanted to see if I could create something new and give them a new perspective,” he explains.

He focused on a functional approach inspired by a sewing machine, creating a product that is interactive and technical rather than purely aesthetic. “I designed from a product that only fashion designers interact with: the sewing machine! So I created something that’s technical rather than just a visual, something you can interact with, fidget with. So that was the starting point.”

 

From Print to Object

Shanleigh, a Postgraduate Fashion Design student, translated one of her fashion prints into a vibrant phone case design. “I decided to join this contest because I thought applying for this competition could give me an opportunity to connect to a wider audience, but also take my designs out of the boundaries of just fashion design,” she explains.

Her design draws inspiration from fresh summer colors and her South African heritage, emphasizing storytelling and contemporary influences.

“After the moodboard, I start to design the print. It was a design originally made for clothes, and as a designer I think it’s our jobs to take that idea and modify it to the object that you are working with.”

 

Celebrating Creativity at IFA Paris

The HONOR Design Contest exemplifies how IFA Paris encourages students to experiment and transform their artistic ideas into tangible, communicative designs. Each participant applied their unique perspective and technical skills to respond to the brief in a personal, expressive way, demonstrating the school’s commitment to fostering both creativity and practical application.

If you want to explore your own creative potential and bring your fashion ideas to life, IFA Paris offers programs in Fashion Design and Fashion Business where students are supported through workshops, mentorship, and real-world challenges.