The Competition Heats Up with the Selection of Twenty Semifinalist Designers
The twelfth edition of the prestigious LVMH PRIZE competition, dedicated to emerging young designers, has entered its crucial phase with the selection of twenty semifinalists. This year, the contest received 2,300 applications from all over the world.
For the first time, designers from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Ghana are among the semifinalists, marking an important milestone for the competition. The selection criteria emphasize innovation in tailoring, excellence in craftsmanship, and sustainability, which are becoming increasingly central to the luxury industry.
The semifinalist designers will present their collections in Paris on March 5-6, 2025. Following this phase, eight finalists will be chosen by a jury of over 80 industry experts. The LVMH PRIZE 2025 winner will receive €400,000in funding and a one-year mentorship with luxury industry professionals. Additionally, the Karl Lagerfeld Prize and the Prix des Savoir-Faire, introduced in 2024, will each award €200,000 and a year of professional support to two designers.
Meet the Twenty Semifinalists of the LVMH PRIZE 2025
Alainpaul (France)
Founded in 2023 by Alain Paul, this French brand quickly made a name for itself in emerging fashion. Specializing in women’s, men’s, and genderless fashion, Alainpaul stands out for its use of luxurious materials and sophisticated aesthetics. Since last September, the brand has been showcasing collections at Paris Fashion Week.
All-In (USA/Norway)
Originally launched in 2015 as a fashion magazine by Benjamin Barron and Bror August Vestbø, All-In evolved into a prêt-à-porter brand in 2019. The label focuses on sustainability and material recycling, embracing upcycling and circular fashion in its progressive approach to design.
Boyedoe (Ghana)
David Boye-Doe Kusi founded Boyedoe in 2020, making Ghana’s debut in the competition. The brand is known for genderless outerwear and garments, featuring fluid silhouettes and handcrafted details, blending African cultural references with modern aesthetics.
Francesco Murano (Italy)
One of Italy’s most promising fashion talents, Francesco Murano, is set to debut at Milan Fashion Week this month. His designs reimagine classic tailoring with a futuristic touch, characterized by architectural volumes and sculptural details.
Josh Tafoya (USA)
A textile artist and designer, Josh Tafoya founded his brand after graduating from Parsons New School of Design in 2013. His collections reflect New Mexico’s textile traditions, utilizing handwoven techniques and sustainable materials, deeply rooted in Indigenous American culture.
KML (Saudi Arabia)
Ahmed Hassan introduces Saudi Arabia to the LVMH PRIZE with his KML label, launched in 2022. The brand offers a bold vision of menswear and genderless fashion, blending traditional influences with futuristic elements, and incorporating technical fabrics and clean lines.
Meruert Tolegen (USA)
Kazakh-born designer Meruert Planul-Tolegen founded her label in 2019, focusing on refined and feminine elegancewith intricate tailoring and high-quality fabrics, merging tradition with innovation for timeless pieces.
Mfpen (Denmark)
Founded in 2017 by Sigurd Bank, Mfpen has become a key player in Scandinavian menswear, known for minimalist, sustainable designs that fuse tailoring with comfort.
Nicklas Skovgaard (Denmark)
Nicklas Skovgaard launched his eponymous brand in 2020, specializing in women’s fashion that merges craftsmanship and textile experimentation, offering a contemporary take on Nordic fashion traditions.
Soshiotsuki (Japan)
Established in 2015 by Soshi Otsuki, this Japanese brand blends tradition with experimentation, featuring deconstructed silhouettes and historical influences reinterpreted in a modern way.
Tarek Kallouz (France)
Founded in 2022, Tarek Kallouz blends Parisian elegance with global cultural influences, prioritizing sustainabilitythrough the use of recycled materials and artisanal techniques.
Saeed Al-Rashid (United Arab Emirates)
Launched in 2019, Saeed Al-Rashid explores innovative menswear design, combining traditional elegance with futuristic audacity, featuring geometric lines and cutting-edge materials that celebrate Emirati heritage.
Ruth Herring (South Africa)
Founded in 2018, Ruth Herring’s label focuses on women’s fashion and accessories, celebrating African beauty and culture with vibrant colors, rich textures, and traditional craftsmanship.
Ivy Watson (United Kingdom)
Ivy Watson, founded in 2020, stands out for its unisex and sustainable fashion approach, promoting inclusive design and eco-friendly materials that challenge industry norms.
Hassan Baig (Pakistan)
Launched in 2021, Hassan Baig brings Pakistani fashion to the international stage with bold and sophisticated collections, merging traditional tailoring with modern trends and emphasizing artisanal craftsmanship and fabric quality.
Nikolai Alexandrov (Russia)
Founded in 2020, Nikolai Alexandrov’s label is known for its bold and provocative designs, combining Russian heritage with modern aesthetics, offering gender-fluid garments with innovative textile techniques.
Tatiana Nedelea (Romania)
Tatiana Nedelea, who founded her brand in 2021, has gained attention for her ability to balance elegance and functionality. Her women’s collections focus on high-quality materials and refined tailoring, creating timeless yet modern pieces.
Raihan Ali (Bangladesh)
Launched in 2022, Raihan Ali’s label merges contemporary design with traditional Bengali craftsmanship, offering elegant, practical garments that feature intricate details and minimalistic silhouettes.
Rachid Abada (Morocco)
Founded in 2020, Rachid Abada highlights Moroccan culture and aesthetics through contemporary design, incorporating traditional fabrics, handwork, and local techniques into modern silhouettes.
Shanqing Zhang (China)
Founded in 2021, Shanqing Zhang has gained international recognition for combining Chinese heritage with futuristic aesthetics, offering collections that embrace minimalism, innovation, and sustainable materials.
For more details, visit the official LVMH PRIZE website: https://www.lvmhprize.com
