FASHION: LVMH Announces Nominees for 2020's Young Fashion Designers Prize

Applications for 2020’s LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers closed earlier this month, and the panel of experts have announced the award’s 20 nominees, selected from a pool of countless designers, companies and brands. Centralized around womenswear labels, the nominees include a host of menswear and genderless brands as well, incorporating creatives from across the globe.
Hailing from countries like Bulgaria, China, Denmark, India, Iran, Korea, the

Netherlands, South Africa, the United States, Vietnam and Argentina, the chosen applicants offer a diverse skillset. There’s Peter Do‘s honed minimalism, Nicholas Daley‘s artisinal workwear, Tomo Koizumi’s handcrafted dresses and Casablanca‘s refined athleticism, to name only a few, with the nominees “illustrating .. the breaking down of gender barriers and the emergence of a more inclusive mode of dressing,” noted Delphine Arnault in a statement, executive vice president of Louis Vuitton.

“All share an innovative vision, resolutely focused on the future, in terms of their research into new materials, use of bio-textiles or recycled fibers, concern for new artisanal techniques, and desire for local, reasoned production,” Arnault continued. “This year, it is worthy of note that more and more designers are working in collectives, with six duos and one trio represented among the semi-finalists.”

The semi-finalists will head to Paris on February 27 to participate in a showroom organized at LVMH Group headquarters. There, the Prize’s 68 experts will meet the 20 competitors, narrowing the field to eight participants ahead of the Prize’s final, held on June 5. One winner will receive €300,000 EUR (approximately $325,000 USD) and a yearlong bespoke mentorship program from a dedicated LVMH team, while the Karl Lagerfeld Prize will be granted to another young designer, awarding them €150,000 EUR (approximately $162,000 USD) and a simplified one-year mentorship.