During the LVMH ceremony held this afternoon, four talented fashion designers were recognized and awarded for their outstanding work. Rui, Lukhanyo Mdingi, and Kidsuper were honored with the prestigious Karl Lagerfeld Prize, while Nensi Dojaka received the coveted LVMH Prize.
The jury for the LVMH Prize consisted of renowned industry experts including Kim Jones, Jonathan Anderson, Maria Grazia Chiuri, Marc Jacobs, and Stella McCartney. The winners were chosen by this esteemed panel, as well as Delphine Arnault, Bernard Arnault, Sidney Toledano, and Jean-Paul Claverie. The awards were announced by actress Isabelle Huppert, while the ceremony was hosted by Derek Blasberg, Emma Chamberlain, and Delphine Arnault.
The finalists for the LVMH Prize included nine talented designers and their respective labels: Bianca Saunders, Charles de Vilmorin, Rui, Christopher John Rogers, Conner Ives, Kidsuper, Lukhanyo Mdingi, Kika Vargas, and Nensi Dojaka.
In an unprecedented move, three winners were selected for the Karl Lagerfeld Prize instead of the usual one. Rui, Lukhanyo Mdingi, and Kidsuper were the deserving recipients of this esteemed honor.
Rui, created by Rui Zhou, is a brand that encapsulates the beauty of imperfections, unfinished elements, and the unloved. Rui Zhou, a graduate of Parsons, launched her brand in 2019 and has since showcased her collections at three Fashion Weeks in New York. The unisex pieces from Rui have caught the attention of celebrities like Dua Lipa and Chloe x Halle, and the brand is already garnering international distribution.
Lukhanyo Mdingi, founded by Lukhanyo Mdingi himself, is a South African brand that draws inspiration from intercultural references to create aesthetically accessible fashion. Lukhanyo Mdingi focuses on thoughtful design and modern refinement, incorporating structure, texture, and feeling into his collections. Besides fashion, Lukhanyo Mdingi expresses his creativity through his podcast titled “The Premise.”
Colm Dillane’s brand, Kidsuper, took its inspiration from his humble beginnings of selling t-shirts in his high school cafeteria. After obtaining a Mathematics degree, Dillane returned to the world of fashion, art, music, and audiovisuals to create Kidsuper. Mixing elements of streetwear with vibrant and underground aesthetics, Kidsuper has gained recognition and is even worn by celebrities like Jay-Z and Young Thug. Dillane also founded a physical space that brings artists and creatives together.
The Karl Lagerfeld Prize winners will be awarded a prize of 150,000 euros each and will receive a year of mentorship from LVMH.
Nensi Dojaka, a London-based Albanian designer, claimed the prestigious LVMH Prize after just two years since the launch of her eponymous brand. Graduating from Central Saint Martins in 2019, Dojaka collaborated with Ssense and gained the support of notable figures such as Bella Hadid and Emily Ratajkowski. Her minimalist and feminine style translates into stunning garments that skillfully combine lingerie and ready-to-wear. Layering is one of Dojaka’s signatures, often pairing lingerie-inspired tops with tailored pieces.
As the winner of the LVMH Prize, Nensi Dojaka will receive a financial grant of 300,000 euros and a year of mentorship from the LVMH team.
Overall, these talented fashion designers have showcased their creativity, innovation, and unique perspectives through their collections. Their recognition and awards from LVMH will undoubtedly propel their careers to new heights.
[Link 1: Rui – Vogue US Interview](https://www.vogue.com/article/rui-zhou-new-york-fashion-week-ss22) [Link 2: Lukhanyo Mdingi – The Fader Interview](https://www.thefader.com/2021/01/25/lukhanyo-mdingi-aw20-new-york)
