LVMH Group recently announced the 20 semi-finalists for the prestigious LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers. The prize, which was established in 2014, is aimed at recognizing and supporting emerging talents in the fashion industry. This year, the competition saw an unprecedented number of participants, with over 1,700 candidates from more than 100 different nationalities. From this pool, 20 designers from 15 countries were selected as semi-finalists.
The semi-finalists include a diverse range of designers, with eight presenting womenswear collections, seven showcasing menswear, and five offering unisex designs. Moreover, LVMH commended many of the candidates for their ethical and sustainable practices, as well as their innovative use of materials and techniques.
Some of the notable semi-finalists include Emeric Tchatchoua from 3.PARADIS, a French creator based in Montreal known for his menswear collection; Kunihiko Morinaga from ANREALAGE, a Japanese creator based in Tokyo recognized for his womenswear collection; and Bethany Williams, a British creator based in London who stands out for her unisex collection.
The selected designers will have the opportunity to present their creations to a prestigious jury during a two-day event at the LVMH headquarters in Paris on March 1st and 2nd. The jury comprises 63 industry experts, including renowned models Naomi Campbell and Karlie Kloss, makeup artist Pat McGrath, and filmmaker Loïc Prigent, among others. The jury will select eight finalists based on the quality of craftsmanship and innovative approach.
What makes this edition particularly exciting is that selected pieces from the designers’ collections will be available for purchase online through the 24 Sèvres website. This new development aims to provide exposure and commercial opportunities for these up-and-coming designers.
The winner of the LVMH Prize will be announced in June at a ceremony held at the Fondation Louis Vuitton. The recipient of the award will receive a grant of €300,000 and a one-year mentoring program. Last year’s winners were Japanese label Doublet, with a special prize given to London-based Korean designer Rokh Hwang. The LVMH Prize has a history of recognizing talent, with previous winners including Marine Serre, Marques’Almeida, and Simon Porte Jacquemus.
Additionally, LVMH also presents the Prize for Young Graduates from Fashion Schools, which offers three graduates a €10,000 grant and a one-year contract with one of LVMH’s fashion houses. Applications for this prize are open until May 15, 2019, on the lvmhprize.com website.
To learn more about the LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers, visit their official website here.
To browse and purchase selected pieces from the designers’ collections, visit the 24 Sèvres website here.
