On September 10th, the 2024 LVMH Prize ceremony was held at the Louis Vuitton Foundation Amphitheatre in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, where the Swedish brand “HODAKOVA” claimed the prestigious grand prize. As a result, designer Ellen Hodakova Larsson received a €400,000 cash prize and a one-year mentorship from LVMH experts. An emotional Larsson pledged to showcase her next steps at Paris Fashion Week, promising the jury, “I’ll work really hard.”
HODAKOVA, established in 2021, has gained worldwide attention for its unique approach to fashion, with a strong focus on sustainability. Larsson’s designs give new life to discarded materials, transforming items like old spoons and belts into unique fashion pieces. Her creations have been worn by celebrities such as Cate Blanchett, Emma Corrin, and Camila Cabello.
LVMH executive Sidney Toledano praised Larsson’s work, stating her combination of savoir-faire, sustainability — and desirability. Toledano said, “Like many of the designers this year, the brand has a mature point of view, not just on fashion but on business and the world.”
Other designers also made a significant impact at this year’s LVMH Prize. Amsterdam-based Duran Lantink, known for his innovative upcycling techniques and experimental designs, won the Karl Lagerfeld Prize. His work has been worn by top artists like Beyoncé and Billie Eilish and has been featured in major fashion magazines such as British Vogue and i-D. With his win, Lantink was awarded €200,000 and a one-year mentorship from LVMH.
In addition, the newly established Savoir-Faire Prize was awarded to Irish designer Michael Stewart’s brand, “Standing Ground.” His elegant dresses, featuring elements inspired by ancient worlds and imagined futures, were highly praised for their artistic drapery and intricate details. Standing Ground also received a €200,000 prize and a one-year mentorship, aiming to grow further with LVMH’s support.
The jury included some of the most influential figures in the fashion world, such as Nicolas Ghesquière, Maria Grazia Chiuri, Jonathan Anderson, Silvia Venturini Fendi, NIGO®, Marc Jacobs, Pharrell Williams, and Phoebe Philo. Delphine Arnault and Sidney Toledano from LVMH also participated in the evaluation, particularly commending this year’s winners for their dedication to sustainability and craftsmanship.
Silvia Venturini Fendi remarked, “I think we really selected people for their personality, not only for their work. I think they reflect the emotions that we want to see in clothes. That’s why it’s important to talk to them. You have to know who is behind the clothes. We don’t want to just buy clothes today; we want to support people who are sending a message to the world.”
This year’s finalists included Pauline Dujancourt from France, Paolo Carzana from the UK, Marie Adam-Leenaerdt from Belgium, Julian Louie’s “Aubuero” from the US, and Niccolò Pasqualetti from Italy.
Many of the finalists are set to present their collections at upcoming European fashion weeks. Standing Ground and Carzana will showcase their work in London, while HODAKOVA, Lantink, Adam-Leenaerdt, and Pasqualetti will reveal their collections in Paris later this month.
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