22 Designers Compete For LVMH Prize

22 Designers Compete For LVMH Prize

Fashion conglomerate LVMH, Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, holds its 10th annual fashion design competition. The award winner will receive a monetary prize of 300,000 euros and a year-long mentorship from an LVMH team. The additional 150,000-euro Karl Lagerfeld prize goes to a number of finalists and also comes with a year-long mentorship. 

The LVMH prize aims to support the development of young designers, with applications only available to those under 40. Over 2,400 candidates from across the world applied to compete in 2023, according to the site. In the end, only 22 semi-finalists went on to compete for the LVMH prize. 

Image source: lvmh.com

Progressive Brands

This year’s pool of designers are champions for diversity and sustainability. At least 11 brands have established their clothing as genderless, while brands Stinarand and Bettter are advocates for upcycling. There are a mass representation of cultures in the competition, inviting designers from Nigeria, Jamaica, South Korea, and Ukraine to name a few. 

On March 2 and 3, the final designs were presented to a group of industry experts, from artistic directors, editors, and stylists — including Harry Lambert, Bella Hadid, and Gabriella Karefa-Johnson — at the LVMH headquarters in Paris. The general public also took part, with the ability to view the designs through a digital showroom and vote for their favorite brands. This vote combines with the expert vote. The jury then auditions three finalists and chooses the final winners. 

LVMH Goes Digital

The competition has had to undergo several changes, particularly since 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic was the result of the cancellation of the final designer showcase for that year, where the prize was split among eight finalists instead. The Karl Lagerfeld prize, meanwhile, went to an aid fund established by LVMH. Even fashion conglomerates had to adapt to new technology, with the arrival of the digital showroom in 2021.

In a collaboration with fashion schools, LVMH also selects three graduates to join the prize winners in their mentorship with a designated LVMH house. Students have until March 19 to apply.

The names of the 2023 semi-finalists are available at lvmh.com.

Featured image source: lvmh.com

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