The Jury
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CanadaSonia, a native of Toronto, is a celebrated dancer known for her elegance, dramatic range, and technical prowess. She joined The National Ballet of Canada in 1990, becoming a Principal Dancer in 2000.
Throughout her 32-year career, Sonia performed a diverse repertoire including classical ballets like Swan Lake and contemporary works by choreographers such as Alexei Ratmansky and Christopher Wheeldon. She also danced internationally as a guest artist in prestigious galas and received accolades such as the Rolex Dancers First Award and induction into Canada's Walk of Fame. Sonia retired from the National Ballet of Canada in 2022 as the company's longest-serving principal dancer.
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UKDaniel, founder and CEO of Commonwealth Fashion Council (CFC), established the organization after earning his Master's Degree at Central Saint Martins, London. Based in Liverpool, Daniel created CFC as the central authority for Commonwealth Fashion, focusing on sustainability, education, and innovation initiatives across The Commonwealth.
CFC delivers programs and reports on the evolving fashion landscape, advocating for better practices globally by engaging with governments, civil society, and policymakers. Notable initiatives include the Commonwealth Fashion Education Symposium, The Blue Fashion Initiative, and the launch at Buckingham Palace in 2018 with TRH The Princess of Wales and the Duchess of Edinburgh in attendance.
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ItalyWith a background in political science and luxury management, Danilo began his career in the music industry. He was among the pioneers of e-commerce and concept stores and has worked for La Perla lingerie brand. His educational model, described by Forbes as The Reign of Error, has involved groups, brands, and institutions such as LVMH, Richemont, Gucci, Ferragamo, WGSN, CFDA, and Pitti Immagine, as well as personalities like Marina Abramovic, Alber Elbaz, Renzo Rosso, Waris Ahluwalia, Rick Owens, and Suzy Menkes.
His focus at IED Florence is on hybridizing fashion, art, and design languages, engaging artists like Lucy Orta and Joana Vasconcelos, along with Olafur Eliasson and Anish Kapoor within public programs of Fondazione Palazzo Strozzi's exhibitions. His most recent project is the curation of Very Good, a series of interviews with key figures in the creative industry to understand how the sector shapes the future for the better.
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CanadaJoanna's passion lies in the art of costume design, where she revels in the playful creativity of dressing characters and infusing humor into her work while unraveling the puzzle of crafting a show's visual narrative. Her notable credits encompass a wide range of productions, from long-running series like Murdoch Mysteries (Seasons 12-17) to acclaimed films like Little Italy and The L.A Complex.
In addition to her mainstream successes, Joanna has contributed to numerous indie projects, showcasing her versatility across various genres. Notably, she is a founding member of CAFTCAD (Canadian Alliance of Film & Television Costume Arts & Design) and has played a pivotal role in establishing the prestigious CAFTCAD Awards, further solidifying her impact and dedication to the Canadian film and television industry.
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Italy
As a Producer, she works on a global scale. She has collaborated with photographers like Ellen Von Unwerth, talents like Coco Rocha and Winnie Harlow, Maye Musk, and magazines like Elle, Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, L'Officiel, and Marie Claire. Additionally, she has experience in entrepreneurship, including publishing, public relations, brand building, and events, always placing a strong focus on social impact. These experiences contribute to giving a particular edge to her productions.
Her favorite saying about the industry is - 'Our fashion industry is crowded and might seem at times hectic and noisy, but in each individual, you can find a beautiful story, or almost in each!