The highly anticipated tenth edition of the LVMH Prize for young fashion designers recently took place at the iconic Louis Vuitton Foundation in Paris. The deserving winner of this prestigious award was Satoshi Kuwata from Japan, who impressed the jury with his label Setchu. The award was presented by renowned actress Gal Gadot, with Delphine Arnault, CEO of Christian Dior, overseeing the entire ceremony.
Since its inception in 2013, the LVMH Prize has served as an important platform for emerging talent in the fashion industry. It has played a crucial role in recognizing and rewarding designers from all corners of the globe. For this edition, the prize money was increased to 400,000 euros for the winner, along with a significant increase to 200,000 euros for the winner of the Karl Lagerfeld prize. Satoshi Kuwata will not only receive this enhanced prize, but will also benefit from personalized mentoring from the LVMH teams.
During his heartfelt acceptance speech, Satoshi Kuwata expressed his gratitude for the support and inspiration he has received throughout his journey. He shared, “I was a very naughty boy, and my mom was very worried about me. And now I can make my mom really happy.” Additionally, he elaborated on his design philosophy, emphasizing the importance of a holistic approach to design that goes beyond clothing. As a Japanese designer, he aimed to convey a certain vitality through his work. Winning this esteemed prize has instilled even more confidence in him as a designer.
The final competition featured nine exceptional international designers who were selected from a pool of 22 semi-finalists. Each participant presented their unique creations to a jury comprised of LVMH’s esteemed creative directors and group executives. It was Satoshi Kuwata’s unwavering commitment to his craft and his bold vision that truly captivated the experts, leaving them eagerly anticipating his future creations.
Aside from Satoshi Kuwata, two additional designers were recognized with the prestigious Karl Lagerfeld Prize. Bettter and Magliano were each awarded 200,000 euros and will benefit from a year of mentoring by LVMH teams. The jury commended all the finalists for their remarkable maturity and potential, highlighting their deep understanding of the fashion industry and their distinct creative perspectives.
Before the announcement of the winners, all the talented finalists had the opportunity to showcase their designs to journalists and industry professionals. The pressure was undoubtedly high, but the exceptional talent and dedication of each finalist shone through. Luca Magliano, one of the Karl Lagerfeld Prize winners, expressed his immense gratitude and excitement, stating, “After five years of hard work, this prize will allow us to be seen. Finally. We are now visible to everyone in the world, we exist.”
The jury members themselves were thoroughly impressed by the maturity and creativity displayed by all the designers in this edition of the LVMH Prize. They praised Satoshi Kuwata for his extraordinary interpretation of his culture and acknowledged the immense potential of both Bettter and Magliano. Maria-Grazia Chiuri, head of women’s collections at Dior, remarked, “This year, all the designers were characterized by their great maturity and the translation of their different backgrounds into their brands.”
As the winner of the LVMH Prize, Satoshi Kuwata and his label Setchu will have little time to celebrate, as they are already planning to showcase their collection at Milan Fashion Week on June 17, followed by Paris Fashion Week in the upcoming season. This incredible recognition is sure to propel Kuwata’s career to new heights and attract the attention of the global fashion community.
Useful Links:
1. LVMH Prize Website
2. Vogue Business – Analysis of the LVMH Prize
