The LVMH Prize, known for supporting emerging fashion designers, has announced its 2026 semifinalist lineup, featuring 20 designers representing 17 countries. This year’s selection includes participants from Georgia, Kenya, and Thailand for the first time.
Past recipients of the LVMH Prize include prominent names such as Simon Porte Jacquemus, Grace Wales Bonner, and Duran Lantink. Some designers in the 2026 cohort have previously gained recognition, including New York-based Colleen Allen, who was nominated for the CFDA’s 2025 Emerging Designer of the Year; Tíscar Espadas, winner of the 2024 Spanish Vogue Fashion Fund; and Kartik Research, a 2023 semifinalist who recently outfitted Zohran Mamdani for the New York City mayoral inauguration. Last year’s winner, Soshiotsuki, had previously been shortlisted in 2016.
Delphine Arnault, chairman and CEO of Christian Dior Couture and founder of the LVMH Prize, expressed enthusiasm for the global reach and diversity of talent represented. “I am delighted by the worldwide success of the LVMH Prize,” she stated. “Once again, I have the privilege of unveiling a shortlist of remarkable talents. Their collections span contemporary elegance, bold designs, and even one-of-a-kind pieces. Craftsmanship and research into materials lie at the heart of their creations.”
The grand prize winner in 2026 will receive €400,000 and a year-long mentorship from LVMH experts. Additionally, recipients of the Karl Lagerfeld Prize and the Savoir-Faire Prize will each be granted €200,000 and the same mentorship opportunity.
The semifinalists will showcase their collections at a showroom in Paris on March 4 and 5, 2026, before a panel of over 80 industry experts forming the LVMH Prize Committee of Experts. The public will also have the chance to view and vote on the collections from March 4 to 8 via the LVMH Prize digital platform. Following this stage, eight designers will advance to the finals.
The 2026 semifinalists are:
– Act N°1 by Luca Lin (Italy, genderless collections)
– Colleen Allen (United States, womenswear)
– De Pino by Gabriel Figueiredo (France, womenswear)
– Derrick by Luke Derrick (United Kingdom, menswear)
– Golsaah by Golnar Ahmadian (Iran, womenswear)
– Iamisigo by Bubu Ogisi (Nigeria, womenswear and menswear)
– Institution by Galib Gassanoff (Georgia, womenswear, menswear, genderless collections)
– Julie Kegels by Julie Kegels (Belgium, womenswear)
– Kartik Research by Kartik Kumra (India, womenswear and menswear)
– Kinyan Lam by Kinyan Lam (China, genderless collections)
– Lii by Zane Li (China, womenswear and menswear)
– Maz Manuela Álvarez by Manuela Álvarez (Colombia, womenswear)
– Nong Rak by Cherry W. Rain-Phuanfueang and Teerapat Phuangfueang (United States and Thailand, womenswear, menswear, genderless collections)
– Petra Fagerström (Sweden, womenswear)
– Ponte by Harry Pontefract (United Kingdom, womenswear and menswear)
– Shinyakozuka by Shinya Kozuka (Japan, menswear)
– Ssstein by Kiichiro Asakawa (Japan, menswear and genderless collections)
– Thevxlley by Daniel del Valle Fernandez (Spain, genderless collections)
– Tíscar Espadas and Kevin Kohler (Spain and Switzerland, genderless collections)
– Yoshita 1967 by Anil Padia (Kenya, womenswear)
This announcement confirms the ongoing global influence and prestige of the LVMH Prize in the fashion industry, continuing to spotlight innovative talents as they progress in their careers.
