Each year since 1991, ANDAM (Association Nationale pour le Développement des Arts de la Mode, National Association for the Development of the Fashion Arts), founded as part of the Plastic Arts Delegation of the French Ministry of Culture, backed by the DEFI (committee for the development of the garment industry)grants fellowships to young creators, stylists, fashion designers...

No matter what one calls them, they all share, in their diversity, the capacity to forge an original path through the labyrinthine jumble of today's fashion world. They all have their own labels, solid experience in the field, and a small structure (studio, sales team, press office, etc.), although some get by with just the rudiments of such a structure.

All of them have achieved recognition and some have even made what is called a "name" for themselves. However, they all find themselves at a point in their burgeoning careers at which they need, in order to continue their trajectory on a more solid foundation, financial aid that, however indispensable.

Providing this funding is the role of ANDAM and its private partners.

Born on November 14 1930, Pierre Bergé came to Paris in 1948, and launch the year after the newspaper "La Patrie Mondiale" to wich the writes Albert Camus, Raymond Queneau, André Breton and Jean Paul Satre have collaborated.

A leterrature enthousiast, he met Jean Giono and Jean Cocteau and is today the moral incumbent of the latter's works. From 1950 to 1958, he largely contributed to the fame of the French painter Bernard Buffet.

In 1958 he met Yves Saint Laurent, then a young artistic director for Dior. In 1961; they etered a partnership to strat up the Yves Saint Laurent fashion company, wich he helped build up into a luxury multinational. In 1973, he created the Chambre syndicale du prêt-à-porter des couturiers et des créateurs de mode and was its president untill 1993.

He held concurently many other jobs - as President of DEFI (1991-1994), of UFAC(since 1991) and founder and president ef IFN(since 1986).

In 1991, Pierre Bergé, always careful of fashion designers and of the needs of the profession, accepted to become president of ANDAM, making it a usefull support and efficient tool for young talents. Editor, art lover, bibliophile, author of three books, founder of the "Lundis musicaux" at the théâtre de l'Athénée in 1977, producer of Philip Glass, John Cage and Ingrid Caven's show, he was appointed president of the Opéra de Paris in 1988.

Is the Honorary President of the Opéra National de aris in 1994. In 1992, Pierre Bergé was decorated as Officier de la Légion d'Honneur and Commandeur des Arts et des Lettres.