H&M Photo Contest Winner — H&M Coachella Contest Winner

Skip navigation!

As we told you the other week, our friends at H&M were offering up free passes to Coachella to the Refinery29 reader who could capture all the outdoor fun and fashion of summer festival season in a single shot. Well, you all got clicking, uploading, and wowed both H&M and us with your amazing, sunny entires. We loved flipping through them on H&M's Instagram contest site — but there could only be one winner.

As you can see below, this year's champ has an eye for detail, going for a close-up of chic summer accessories instead of opting for a large-focus look. With green grass in the background, this shot just had to take home the prize.

AdvertisementADVERTISEMENT

And who took this killer summer shot and won two general-admission tickets, two VIP tickets, travel fare to Coachella, and a once-in-a-lifetime chance to serve as the photographer for H&M’s Official Instagram feed at the festival? Click on to the next page to find out...

Our amateur festival photog is young Ms. Paige Elyse of Bonifay, Florida. Paige is not only a canny Instagrammer, but a two-time attendee of Teen Vouge's Fashion University in NYC and captain of her own artful, fun blog, Paige Elyse (so worth a visit). After we told Paige about her big win, we asked her a few questions about her shot.

What was your inspiration for the winning image?
"The day I took this image, I had been wandering these beautiful, wild woodlands with my cousin, Piper. They were full of tall, century-old oak trees, vines of sorts, field flowers, and the light and shadows seemed perfect that day. I was just inspired in the moment, by nature, fresh air, and, of course, pretty bracelets."

Describe your favorite festival style?
"I'm magnetically drawn to grunge, boho, and Woodstock-inspired looks. Just like music, it speaks; it's art in motion. There's something electrically charging about it. It's a look-at-me-and-feel-something style."

Who inspires you and why?
"Everything and everyone. Everywhere I look, I picture a picture. Icon-wise, I have to say that I have a total girl-crush on Alexa Chung. She pulls off the unexpected. She combines the whole '60s-esque thing I love with femininity and quirk. My favorite!"

AdvertisementADVERTISEMENT

When you are going to a music festival, what's your "can't leave home without it" item?
"For me, of course, it's my camera. It's my sanctuary. Capturing memories and beauty to keep forever, and to share with others."

Who are you looking forward to seeing the most at Coachella this year?
"I'm really looking forward to seeing The Black Keys! Their music goes hand in hand with my eye in art. When I hear one of their songs, I see things. I just want to run and go make a video to it...after I've jammed out to it, of course. This will be my first year at Coachella. I'm so excited!"

What's your favorite H&M item right now?
"My favorite H&M item right now is this pair of multicolored, tribal-printed sunglasses with round Lennon lenses. I'm obsessed. You bet I'll be wearing them at Coachella!"

Congrats, Paige! Enjoy the Black Keys, and know that we'll be looking for all your photos at www.hmcoachella.com!

Photos: Courtesy of Paige Elyse.

AdvertisementADVERTISEMENT