While the French luxury conglomerate LVMH is mobilizing its factories and workshops to create essential medical supplies for healthcare workers, its LVMH Prize initiative is grappling with circumstances of the coronavirus pandemic. With the whole event being canceled due to health and safety concerns around the global pandemic, the eight finalists of the Prize’s 2020 iteration won’t get to compete in June.

If it hasn’t been for the rapid and global spread of COVID-19, the finalists would have gathered at the Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris to present their collections to a core panel of industry experts like Virgil Abloh, Rihanna, Stella McCartney, Marc Jacobs, Nicolas Ghesquière and others. Now, the €300,000 cash prize will be split equally between the eight young fashion designers, each receiving a share of €40,000. This year’s finalists include Priya Ahluwalia, Casablanca designer Charaf Tajer, Nicholas Daley, Peter Do, Sindiso Khumalo, Tomo Koizumi, Supriya Lele and Emma Chopova & Laura Lowena of Chopova Lowena.

View this post on Instagram

★ Special Announcement ★ As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the final of the 7th edition of the LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers, originally scheduled on 5th June 2020 at the Louis Vuitton Foundation, has been cancelled. This year, the allocation of the LVMH Prize will be awarded to the eight finalists of the 2020 edition who were selected by the committee of Experts during the semi-final on 27th and 28th February 2020. The 300,000-euro award will be distributed equally among the finalists. The health crisis poses an economic threat to young talent. That is why the LVMH Prize has set up a Fund in aid of young fashion designers that will notably be supplemented by the 2020 Karl Lagerfeld Prize allocation. In virtue of the bond of solidarity within the LVMH Prize community, this Fund will benefit all the winning designers and their brands awarded with the LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers and the Karl Lagerfeld Prize over the six previous editions, upon application. Details of the program will be provided at a later date. Delphine Arnault declares: “Since its launch, the LVMH Prize has promoted and nurtured young talent. Each year, it places the spotlight on young designers from all over the world and supports the development of their companies. In this challenging context, this Fund in aid of young fashion designers highlights the main mission of the LVMH Prize by supporting our former winners.” #lvmhprize #lvmhprize2020

A post shared by LVMHPrize (@lvmhprize) on Apr 14, 2020 at 6:03am PDT

“Since its launch, the LVMH Prize has promoted and nurtured young talent,” director and executive vice president of Louis Vuitton Delphine Arnault announced today. “Each year, it places the spotlight on young designers from all over the world and supports the development of their companies. In this challenging context, this fund in aid of young fashion designers highlights the main mission of the LVMH Prize by supporting our former winners.”

Furthermore, the program will create a fund to further support former winners of the LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designer and of the Karl Lagerfeld Prize.

V and VMAN are honoring charities that have only amplified their mission statements to ensure that those most affected by COVID-19 are supported. For those in the position to, we have included links in which you can lend a helping hand. Check out some more charities to donate to, below. 

Boys and Girls Club of America: Click here to help keep kids in a safe environment that allows for learning, playing and growing during the coronavirus.

CDC Foundation: Click here to help the CDC be prepared to strengthen security needs and immediate COVID-19 responses.

Ronald McDonald House Charities: Continue supporting families who have children with serious illnesses. You can donate here.

First Book: Click here to ensure kids are engaged in learning by providing with e-books and books to enjoy while out of school.

Meals on Wheels: Click here to lend a virtual hand and assist vulnerable seniors who are at higher risk of catching the infectious virus.

National Domestic Violence Hotline: With people confined to their homes, victims are more susceptible to domestic abuse. Click here for different ways to offer support during these times.