Discover the winning projects of the Cirque du Soleil 2024 Competition

On May 22, 2024, the Cégep Marie-Victorin School of Fashion held its annual Collection 2024 fashion show, showcasing the creativity of graduates from the Fashion Design program.

This legendary event in Montreal's fashion industry not only showcased the silhouettes imagined and created by the designers of tomorrow, but also featured the circus costumes designed by the nine finalists in the Cirque du Soleil competition, produced in collaboration with Vestechpro.

The event wasn't only the official unveiling of the nine finalists' creations, designed by second- and third-year students, but also included the presentation of three prizes to the winners, as well as a “Coup de Coeur” award.

Circular economy at the heart of collaboration

Over the past few months, the nine Cégep Marie-Victorin students have each benefited from ver seven hours of coaching from the Vestechpro and Cirque du Soleil teams, to apply supra-recycling and circular economy practices to their designs.

The circular economy, Vestechpro's research niche, is a model that requires the commitment of multiple stakeholders in order to preserve resources, and to which it is fundamental to raise awareness and train the next generation.  

That's why Vestchpro's expertise in the circular economy, combined with Cirque du Soleil's expertise in technical and grandiose costume design, enabled us to offer students at Cégep Marie-Victorin's École de mode an innovative and unique training competition.

Photo credits (top of page and above): Agnieszka Stalkoper and École de mode du Cégep Marie-Victorin

The winning projects

During the event, Valérie Desjardins, Director of Operations at Cirque du Soleil, and Paulette Kaci, General Manager of Vestechpro, presented the prizes to the four winners:

1^st position - Laurence Ouellette

Laurence Ouellette was awarded 1st place in the Cirque du Soleil Competition for her unprecedented adaptation of the theme and her impeccable compliance with Cirque standards in costume design.  What's more, her well-thought-out celastral concept, perfectly transposed between her proposed concept and the making of her costume, were the decisive elements in the jury's selection of the winner.

Laurence Ouellette was also offered a 4-week paid internship at Les Ateliers du Cirque du Soleil, a make-up photo experience and a $3,000 bursary. As for Vestechpro, the organization is proud to present a $500 bursary.

Photo : Agnieszka Stalkoper and École de mode du Cégep Marie-Victorin
Concept :  Laurence Ouellete

2^nd position – Amandine Dubé

“La peur au ventre” is a surprising and well-thought-out concept, which earned Amandine Dubé 2nd place. She charmed the jury with her ingenious reuse of textiles and her impeccable transposition of the concept into clothing.

Amandine Dubé won a $1,000 bursary from Cirque du Soleil, as well as $375 in off-course student coaching from Vestechpro.

Photo : Agnieszka Stalkoper and École de mode du Cégep Marie-Victorin
Concept : Amandine Dubé

3^rd position - Anaëlle Tennier

Anaëlle Tennier came in 3^rd position in the competition for her poetic theme, the quality of her workmanship and her remarkable creative flair, thanks in particular to her concept that envelops the tranquility of the fairytale and organic world.

Anaëlle Tennier received a $500 bursary from Cirque du Soleil, as well as $250 worth of coaching in the use of Vestechpro equipment.

Photo : Agnieszka Stalkoper and École de mode du Cégep Marie-Victorin
Concept : Anaëlle Tennier

Coup de cœur award - Suzanne Loireau

Suzanne Loireau won the hearts of the jury with her impeccable tailoring, not to mention the splendor of the details on the back of her costume. The impeccable quality of her costume won her the Coup de Coeur award.

Photo : Agnieszka Stalkoper and École de mode du Cégep Marie-Victorin
Concept : Suzanne Loireau