LVMH announces the list of the 20 semi-finalists selected. For the 8th year running,the new edition of the Prize attracted over 1,900 young designers worldwide.
Among the many applications, 20 young designers, semi-finalists come from China, France, Italy, Japan, Lebanon, Nigeria, South Africa, South Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States, and, for the first time, from Albania and Colombia, thus expressing a great diversity of cultures and talents.
This year, exceptionally, as a result of the restrictions imposed by the pandemic, the LVMH Prize has set up a digital platform: from 6th April to 11th April 2021, the 20 semi-finalists competing this year for the final of the LVMH Prize will be showcased on its dedicated website lvmhprize.com, to learn about their collections, their creative world and their personalities.
Delphine Arnault declares: “I am very grateful to all the candidates from more than 110 countries for taking part in this year’s competition. All the semi-finalists have incorporated use of innovative or traditional materials, up-cycling, recycled fibres, artisanal and local approaches. Among the semi-finalists, seven do womenswear, five menswear, and two do both womenswear and menswear. Six of them design genderless collections. This edition also saw the return of knitwear, body-conscious garments and the celebration of colour among certain designers. I am also delighted to welcome Naomi Osaka, a committed and outstanding tennis champion, the ambassador of this edition who will accompany us to the final.
Another innovation: this 2021 edition will see the possibility for everyone to discover the semi-finalists and to vote for their favourite candidate. This year, the public becomes an Expert of the LVMH Prize.
The winner of the LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers receives a €300,000 endowment and benefits from a one-year bespoke mentorship program provided by a dedicated LVMH team.
The Karl Lagerfeld/Special Jury Prize rewards a young designer with €150,000 and a mentorship program.
In addition, the Prize distinguishes three young fashion-school graduates who have completed their studies in 2020 or 2021 by allocating them, as well as their school, a €10,000 grant. The prize-winning graduates will join the creative studio of an LVMH Group House for one year.
