The LVMH Prize 2024 reveals the names of 20 semi-finalists

The LVMH Prize, one of the most important competitions for emerging designers in fashion, celebrates its eleventh edition. It was first organized by the world's number one luxury group in 2014. This year, it received more than 2,500 entries from around the world, up from 2,400 last year, and has selected 20 labels from 18 countries to compete in the semi-final scheduled in Paris on February 29 and March 1. Between February 29 and March 5, the general public will be able to vote online to help a jury of experts choose the eight finalists.

Competition is increasingly expanding its horizons. Among the semi-finalists are for the first time a designer from Togo, Jacques Agbobly, based in New York, where he graduated from the Parsons School of Design and launched his brand Agbobly in 2023, a Mexican designer, Patricio Campillo, with his clothing brand male Campillo. and one from Moldova, Fidan Novruzova.

European designers are well represented, making up almost half of the shortlist with eight names, some of whom have already walked the catwalks. Such as the Dutch artist and designer Duran Lantink, winner of the ANDAM special prize in 2023, and the Belgian Marie Adam-Leenaerdt, who are exhibiting their collections in Paris, while the Italian designer Niccolò Pasqualetti and the Swedish brand Hodakova by Ellen Hodakova Larsson are included in the Parisian collection. presentation schedule.

Pauline Dujancourt from France, Paolo Carzana from the UK and Irish designer Michael Steward with his label Standing Ground have already shown their collections at London Fashion Week. Witnesses to the rich cultural mix of the LVMH Prize are the Spanish-Chinese designer Yayi Chen Zhou, who installed her brand Ya Yi in New York, and the Israeli Yonathan Carmel, who presented his brand Vautrait last September during Fashion Week. Paris fashion.

Asia is represented by ChiaHung Su, the label of Taiwanese designer Chia Hung Su, Jiyongkim by Korean designer Jiyong Kim, and Koki by Japanese designer Koki Abe, and by the genderless brand Ponder.er by Chinese duo Alex Po and Derek Cheng, which the French Federation of Fashion and Haute Couture has supported for several seasons through the Sphère showroom.

Urban influences, refined women's clothing

The list of finalists is completed by three American labels – Who Decides War, by the duo Everard Best and Tela D'Amore Best, and Elena Vélez, both showing in New York, and Aubero, by Julian Louie – and the brand of the Brazilian designer based in London. Karoline Vitto, who exhibits in London.

“This edition is characterized by original proposals with a strong urban influence and a return to refined women's fashion. Many of these brands have placed research and aesthetics at the center of their approach, echoing the new Prix des Savoir-Faire,” Delphine Arnault, one of the intellectuals of the LVMH prize, says in a statement, adding that she expects a “ Exceptional 2024.” edition.”

The newly created Prix des Savoir-Faire will reward technical experience and is worth 200,000 euros. The other prizes that will be awarded in the final are the LVMH Prize, worth 400,000 euros, compared to 300,000 euros in 2023, and the Karl Lagerfeld Prize, whose value will also increase, from 150,000 euros last year to 200,000 euros. In both cases, the winners will benefit from one-year support from the luxury group's staff. LVMH will also recognize, as usual, three recent graduates of the fashion academy. Applications for the latter are open until March 17, 2024.