The LVMH Prize Unveils 20 Semifinalists for Its 2026 Edition: A Global Fashion Talent Hunt
PARIS — The LVMH Prize for Young Designers has unveiled the 20 semifinalists for its 13th edition, casting a wide net to discover the next big names in fashion. This year's diverse group of designers spans major fashion capitals and, for the first time, includes talents from Georgia, Kenya, and Thailand.
"The 20 semifinalists showcase a range of styles, from contemporary elegance to bold designs and unique pieces," said Delphine Arnault, the driving force behind the prize and a key talent scout at LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton. "Their creations are characterized by exceptional craftsmanship and innovative material research."
The semifinalists, representing 17 countries, will gather in Paris on March 4th and 5th during Fashion Week to present their collections to the press and the prize's expert committee. The committee will select eight finalists, who will then be judged by the public.
The public will have the opportunity to explore the designers' collections and vote for their favorites online from March 4th to 8th. The showcase will take place at the iconic La Samaritaine department store, as LVMH's headquarters undergo renovations.
This year's edition features a strong focus on menswear, with only three dedicated menswear designers in the shortlist, while four others create clothing for both men and women. There are seven womenswear designers and six genderless labels. Among the semifinalists is Kartik Kumra's Kartik Research, an Indian label that previously reached the semifinals in 2023.
The grand prize winner will receive a substantial 400,000 euros and mentorship from LVMH experts in various fields, including sustainable development, communication, copyright, marketing, manufacturing, and financial management. The runner-up, who wins the Karl Lagerfeld Prize, will receive 200,000 euros and a year of mentorship. The Savoir-Faire Prize, awarded to the third place designer, includes a 200,000-euro grant and a year of mentorship.
This edition attracted over 2,400 applicants from around the world, and the winners will be announced at a ceremony later this year. The LVMH Prize is open to fashion designers aged 18 to 40 who have created at least two ready-to-wear collections for women, men, or genderless styles.
The annual contest has launched the careers of renowned designers like Marine Serre, Duran Lantink, Thebe Magugu, Simon Porte Jacquemus, and Grace Wales Bonner. Last year's winner, Soshi Otsuki, gained cult status for his oversized suits inspired by the '80s era of Giorgio Armani.
The 2026 LVMH Prize will also recognize three fashion school graduates, each receiving 10,000 euros and the opportunity to join a design studio within LVMH's fashion houses, including Louis Vuitton, Dior, Celine, Givenchy, Fendi, and Loewe. Online applications for these student prizes remain open until April 5th.
The complete list of semifinalists for the LVMH Prize is as follows:
Womenswear and Menswear:
- IAMISIGO by Bubu Ogisi (Nigeria)
- KARTIK RESEARCH by Kartik Kumra (India)
- LII by Zane Li (China)
- PONTE by Harry Pontefract (UK)
Womenswear:
- COLEEN ALLEN (USA)
- DE PINO by Gabriel Figueiredo (France)
- GOLSHAH by Golnar Ahmadian (Iran)
- JULIE KEGELS (Belgium)
- MAZ MANUELA ÁLVAREZ by Manuela Álvarez (Colombia)
- PETRA FAGERSTRÖM (Sweden)
- YOSHITA 1967 by Anil Padia (Kenya)
Menswear:
- DERRICK by Luke Derrick (UK)
- SHINYAKOZUKA by Shinya Kozuka (Japan)
- SSSTEIN by Kiichiro Asakawa (Japan)
Genderless:
- ACT N°1 by Luca Lin (Italy)
- INSTITUTION by Galib Gassanoff (Georgia)
- KINYAN LAM (China)
- NONG RAK by Cherry W. Rain-Phuangfueang and Teerapat Phuangfueang (USA and Thailand)
- THE VXLLEY by Daniel del Valle Fernandez (Spain)
- TÍSCAR ESPADAS by Tíscar Espadas and Kevin Kohler (Spain and Switzerland)
