Coming off a year in flux, young designers have faced the heavy macroeconomic headwinds of Covid-19, alongside the mounting social pressures to draw a voice on a socio-political landscape that had historically been waded in neutral by the fashion sect. All in all, the 2021 LVMH Prize finalists have gathered pace in such dour times, creating a less insular, more conscious cadence of their industry, never slighting creativity along the way. 

“This year, over 1,900 people applied: Young designers are showing great maturity in their work,” said Delphine Arnault, founder of the LVMH Prize and a leading eye for new talent at the family-controlled conglomerate. “Today, designers are asked to be much more than designers, and the candidates have adapted to this new reality. All the semi-finalists show a sincere and deep commitment, whether it be social, ethical, artisanal, environmental, or local. They are anchored in today’s world.” 

Among the 20 finalists are 2019’s CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund winner, Christopher John Rogers and recently appointed creative director of Rochas, Charles de Vilmorin, both showing their mettle as nascent fashion talent in such rise-up-and-be-heard times. Elsewhere, Naomi Osaka, 23-year old Japanese tennis champion, upholds her latest role as LVMH ambassador alongside other new names: Bella Hadid, Léa Seydoux, Harper Bazaar’s Samira Nasr, French Vogue’s Aleksandra Woroniecka, and Vogue China’s Margaret Zhang. 

All told, there is a €300,000 earmarked for 2021’s winner, as well as a year-long tutelage under the eye of LVMH designers and executives; the Karl Lagerfeld Fashion Prize winner will receive €150,000 and a year-long mentorship. “This has been one of the great strengths of the Prize since its launch,” said Arnault of the guidance afforded to prize-winners. Often green and operating without a well-worn knowledge of design’s backend, the winners burgeon under the aegis of their mentors. “All the winners confirm how much this helps them in their strategy and their development.”

From April 6-11, the finalist’s collections can be viewed in a virtual showroom where visitors can vote on behalf of their favorites. “This year, the public will become an expert in the LVMH Prize.” 

See the 2021 semi-finalists below: 

AGR, a women’s and menswear brand by British designer Alicia Robinson, based in London. 

Bianca Saunders a menswear brand by British designer Bianca Saunders, based in London. 

Charles De Vilmorin a genderless brand by French designer Charles de Vilmorin, based in Paris

Christopher John Rogers a womenswear brand by American designer Christopher John Rogers, based in New York.

Conner Ives a womenswear brand by American designer Conner Ives, based in London.

Federico Cina a genderless brand by Italian designer Federico Cina, based in Sarsina.

KidSuper a menswear brand by American designer Colm Dillane, based in New York.

Kika Vargas a womenswear brand by Colombian designer Kika Vargas, based in Bogota.

Lagos Space Programme a genderless brand by Nigerian designer Adeju Thompson, based in Lagos.

Lukhanyo Mdingi a women’s and menswear brand by South African designer Lukhanyo Mdingi based in Cape Town.

Midorikawa a genderless brand by Japanese designer Taku Midorikawa, based in Tokyo.

Nensi Dojaka a womenswear brand by Albanian designer Nensi Dojaka, based in London.

Post Archive Faction (PAF) a menswear brand by South Korean designer Dongjoon Lim, based in Seoul

Renaissance Renaissance a womenswear brand by Lebanese designer Cynthia Merhej, based in Beyrouth.

Rier a genderless brand by Italian designer Andreas Steiner, based in Paris.

Rui a genderless brand by Chinese designer Rui Zhou, based in Shanghai.

Saul Nash a menswear brand by British designer Saul Nash, based in London.

Shuting Qiu a womenswear brand by Chinese designer Shuting Qiu, based in Shanghai.

Taakk a menswear brand by Japanese designer Takuya Morikawa, based in Tokyo.

Wed a womenswear brand by British designers Amy Trinh and Evan Phillips, based in London.