The industry identified the next wave of fashion leadership by announcing the 20 semi-finalists for the 2026 LVMH Prize. This 13th edition features designers from 17 different countries. For the first time in the history of the competition, the list includes representatives from Georgia, Kenya, and Thailand. This year, over 2,400 applicants from across the globe submitted their work for consideration.
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Delphine Arnault, the founder of the LVMH Prize and CEO of Christian Dior Couture, expressed her enthusiasm for the worldwide reach of the award. She noted that the selected collections showcase contemporary elegance and unique designs. The chosen labels focus on material research to build their distinct aesthetics. The semi-finalists will gather in Paris on March 4 and 5 at the La Samaritaine department store. During this showroom event, they will present their collections to a committee of experts and members of the press.
The public plays a role in the selection process as well. Between March 4 and March 8, people can view the collections online and vote for their favorite designer. Following the showroom, the committee will narrow the group down to eight finalists.
The 2026 shortlist includes a diverse range of categories. Seven designers specialize in womenswear, while three focus exclusively on menswear. Four labels create clothing for both men and women, and six brands offer genderless collections. Notable names on the list include Colleen Allen from New York and Zane Li, whose brand Lii has attracted attention from high-profile figures like Ayo Edebiri and Jennifer Lawrence. Kartik Kumra of Kartik Research returns to the competition after previously reaching the semi-finals in 2023. Other semi-finalists include the labels Ponte, Julie Kegels, and Tíscar Espadas.
The competition offers substantial financial support and professional guidance to the victors. The grand prize winner receives a €400,000 endowment. They also benefit from a one-year mentorship with LVMH experts covering areas like marketing, manufacturing, and financial management. The Karl Lagerfeld Prize and the Savoir-Faire Prize each provide €200,000 and a year of mentorship to their respective winners. Additionally, the organization will recognize three fashion school graduates with €10,000 each and positions within LVMH design studios.
Previous winners of the prize include established names like Marine Serre, Simon Porte Jacquemus, and Grace Wales Bonner. Last year, Japanese designer Soshi Otsuki won the grand prize for his menswear label Soshiotsuki.
The full list of semi-finalists spans several continents and styles:
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Act N°1 (Italy)
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Colleen Allen (USA)
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De Pino (Gabriel Figueiredo)
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Derrick (United Kingdom)
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Golsaah (Iran)
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Iamisigo (Nigeria)
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Institution (Georgia)
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Julie Kegels (Belgium)
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Kartik Research (India)
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Kinyan Lam (China)
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Lii (China)
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Maz Manuela Álvarez (Colombia)
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Nong Rak (USA and Thailand)
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Petra Fagerström (Sweden)
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Ponte (United Kingdom)
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Shinyakozuka (Japan)
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Ssstein (Japan)
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Thevxlley (Spain)
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Tíscar Espadas (Spain and Switzerland)
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Yoshita 1967 (Kenya)
LVMH will announce the final winners at a ceremony later this year.
