LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers Reveals Nine Finalists for 2023
Cover Photo: Courtesy of LVMH Prize
he LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers is one of the most prestigious recognitions in the fashion industry, and it recently celebrated its tenth anniversary with a record-breaking number of entries. With over 2,400 designers from all corners of the globe vying for the prize, the competition continues to be a major platform for emerging talent. Since its inception in 2014, the LVMH Prize has helped launch the careers of some of the most notable designers in recent memory, including Hood by Air, Jacquemus, and Rui - all of whom went on to achieve critical acclaim and commercial success. This year, the competition received submissions from a diverse range of entrants, with designers from Brazil and Jamaica making their debut appearances alongside participants from more established fashion hubs. From the 22 semi-finalists that were selected, the competition has now whittled the field down to nine visionary finalists, who were announced on March 24th, 2023.
Delphine Arnault, founder of the LVMH Prize and Executive Vice President of Louis Vuitton, praised the semi-finalists’ innovative and imaginative vision. Many of them incorporate their native culture and craftsmanship into their designs, reflecting a growing interest in eco-responsibility by utilizing innovative and recycled materials and embracing more ethical production systems. This year, at least nine designers have pushed the boundaries of gender with their genderless collections, blurring the lines between menswear and womenswear. The selection also highlights inclusivity and diversity, reflecting the fashion and luxury industries’ current focus on these values.
The winner of the LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers will receive a grant of €300,000 and benefits from a year-long mentorship with a dedicated team from LVMH. The Karl Lagerfeld Prize will also award a young designer with a €150,000 grant and a year of mentoring.
LVMH has been driven by a passion for creativity and innovation for the past 25 years while preserving a heritage rooted in time-honored craftsmanship. As Bernard Arnault emphasizes, innovation is even more powerful when it springs from a rich heritage. LVMH’s diverse brands and designers in fashion, jewelry, perfumes, leather goods, winemaking, and watches are characterized by their unwavering quest for excellence, unique passion for innovation, invention, and creativity.
The 2023 finalists of the LVMH Prize are as follows:
AARON ESH by Aaron Esh, United Kingdom, menswear
BETTTER by Julie Pelipas, Ukraine, womenswear
BURC AKYOL by Burc Akyol, France, womenswear, menswear, and genderless collections
DIOTIMA by Rachel Scott, Jamaica, womenswear
LUAR by Raul Lopez, United States, womenswear, menswear, and genderless collections
MAGLIANO by Luca Magliano, Italy, menswear
PAOLINA RUSSO by Paolina Russo, Canada, and Lucile Guilmard, France, womenswear
QUIRA by Veronica Leoni, Italy, womenswear
SETCHU by Satoshi Kuwata, Japan, genderless collections
