On April 24, the LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers—widely regarded as a key benchmark for identifying the next generation of talent in the luxury industry—announced the nine finalists for its 2026 edition. Now in its 13th year, the Prize continues to select emerging designers from a highly competitive global pool to advance to the final stage.
This year, more than 2,400 applications were submitted, from which 20 designers were shortlisted as semi-finalists. The semi-final took place on March 4 and 5, 2026 at La Samaritaine in Paris, where each designer presented their collections to a panel of expert judges. Following this process, nine brands were selected to advance to the final. Notably, in addition to designers from the United States, Europe, and China, this year marks the first time a finalist from Kenya has been included, reflecting the Prize’s expanding global scope and diversity.
The nine finalists for the 2026 LVMH Prize are as follows:
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COLLEEN ALLEN by Colleen Allen, United States, womenswear
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DE PINO by Gabriel Figueiredo, France, womenswear
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INSTITUTION by Galib Gassanoff, Georgia, womenswear, menswear and genderless collections
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JULIE KEGELS by Julie Kegels, Belgium, womenswear
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LII by Zane Li, China, womenswear and menswear
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PETRA FAGERSTRÖM by Petra Fagerström, Sweden, womenswear
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PONTE by Harry Pontefract, United Kingdom, womenswear and menswear
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THE VXLLEY by Daniel del Valle Fernandez, Spain, genderless collections
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YOSHITA 1967 by Anil Padia, Kenya, womenswear
The final jury brings together some of the most influential figures in fashion, including Jonathan Anderson, Sarah Burton, Maria Grazia Chiuri, Nicolas Ghesquière, Marc Jacobs, Jack McCollough, Lazaro Hernandez, Stella McCartney, Camille Miceli, Nigo, Phoebe Philo, Michael Rider, and Pharrell Williams.
They are joined by key LVMH executives including Delphine Arnault, Pietro Beccari, Jean-Paul Claverie, and Sidney Toledano.
A Defining Opportunity for Emerging Designers
At the final, the jury will select the winner of the LVMH Prize, alongside the Karl Lagerfeld Prize and the Savoir-Faire Prize. The Grand Prize winner will receive a €400,000 endowment along with a year-long tailored mentorship by LVMH teams. Winners will also gain hands-on experience within the design studios of LVMH Houses, providing a critical platform for long-term career development.
Delphine Arnault, Chairman and CEO of Christian Dior Couture, commented: “I am delighted to announce the names of the nine finalists for the 2026 LVMH Prize. This shortlist illustrates the Prize’s reach, with designers from the United States, Europe, China and, for the first time, Kenya. The finalists demonstrated a singular creative vision while offering highly sophisticated interpretations of traditional craftsmanship. I am also very grateful to our Committee of Experts for their commitment to emerging talent.
Furthermore, on the occasion of this edition, I am delighted to welcome new members to our exceptional Jury: Jack McCollough, Lazaro Hernandez, Camille Miceli, Michael Rider and Pietro Beccari. I warmly congratulate the finalists and look forward to welcoming them to the LVMH Prize final, which will be held at the Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris.”
The final will take place on September 4 at the Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris, where the finalists will present their collections to the jury.
Over the years, the Prize has helped launch the careers of influential designers such as Jonathan Anderson and Marine Serre. The 2026 finalists are likewise expected to play a key role in shaping the future of the luxury fashion landscape.
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