Paris: The 20 semi-finalists for the 2025 LVMH Prize reflect a bold creative shift in fashion, showcasing talent from 15 countries including Egypt and Ghana. Their collections will be featured at Paris Fashion Week, as the competition continues to emphasise sustainability and craftsmanship.
Fashion’s emerging designers are increasingly gravitating towards bold creativity and craftsmanship, as highlighted by Delphine Arnault, a prominent figure in the industry and a key talent scout at LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton. Arnault announced the 20 semi-finalists for the 2025 edition of the LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers, indicating a shift away from the prevailing trends of quiet luxury and casual wear.
The semi-finalists were selected from over 2,300 applicants from around the globe and represent a diverse array of regions, including Egypt, Ghana, and Saudi Arabia. This marks the first time these countries have been represented since the prize’s inception in 2013. The selected designers hail from 15 different countries, showcasing a wide spectrum of talents and perspectives within the fashion industry.
These designers are scheduled to showcase their collections during Paris Fashion Week in a dedicated showroom on the 5th and 6th of March, where a committee of experts will further narrow the group down to eight finalists. Among the semi-finalists are notable names such as Cynthia Merhej, who previously competed with her label Renaissance Renaissance in 2021, and Soshi Otsuki, a former contestant from Japan, who participated in 2016.
The complete list of 20 semi-finalists includes:
- Alainpaul by Alain Paul (France)
- All-in by Benjamin Barron (United States)
- Bror August Vestbø (Norway)
- Boyedoe by David Boye-Doe Kusi (Ghana)
- Francesco Murano (Italy)
- Josh Tafoya (United States)
- KML by Ahmed Hassan (Saudi Arabia)
- Meruert Tolegen by Meruert Planul-Tolegen (United States)
- MFPEN by Sigurd Bank (Denmark)
- Nicklas Skovgaard (Denmark)
- Penultimate by Xiang Gao (China)
- Pillings by Ryota Murakami (Japan)
- Sinéad O’Dwyer (Ireland)
- Steve O Smith (United Kingdom)
- Tolu Coker (United Kingdom)
- Torisheju by Torishéju Dumi (United Kingdom)
- Yasmin Mansour (Egypt)
- Young N Sang by Sang Lim Lee et Youngshin Hong (South Korea)
- Zomer by Danial Aitouganov (The Netherlands)
The competition involves a grand prize of 400,000 euros along with mentorship in vital areas such as sustainable development, marketing, communication, and legal aspects of brand management. Additionally, a runner-up prize called the Karl Lagerfeld Prize offers a 200,000-euro endowment and one year of mentorship, while the Savoir-Faire Prize comes with a 200,000-euro grant and a similar mentorship opportunity.
Arnault highlighted the continued emphasis on craftsmanship, innovation, and sustainability within the participating brands, aligning with the values celebrated by the Savoir-Faire Prize. “This year again, many of the brands place high value on experimentation and aesthetics,” she indicated. The final winners will be announced at a ceremony later this year.
Public engagement is part of the process, with individuals invited to vote for their preferred collections online from March 5 to March 9 at lvmhprize.com. The LVMH Prize also provides recognition to three fashion school graduates, who may apply until March 30. Each winner, along with their institution, will receive 10,000 euros and a year-long collaborative experience in the design studio of one of LVMH’s renowned houses.
With a legacy of nurturing talents such as Marine Serre and Simon Porte Jacquemus, the LVMH Prize has established itself as a crucial platform for young designers aged between 18 and 40 who have produced at least two ready-to-wear collections. Last year’s winner, Swedish designer Ellen Hodakova Larsson, received acclaim for her sustainable upcycled creations, reflecting the growing importance of environmental considerations within the fashion sector.
Source: Noah Wire Services
