After receiving a record-breaking 2,400 applications for the 2023 year, LVMH has announced their list of 22 candidates that have been shortlisted for the semifinals of the LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers. This years applicants only further prove the success and international scope of LVMH – the 22 candidates hail from a total of 15 countries, each representing a unique element of fashion and creativity. 

What comes next for the finalists is a presentation of their collections through a digital showroom and a physical presentation in Paris on March 2nd and 3rd, during which the public is able to vote for their favorite candidate virtually. Composed of specialists and experts from the world of fashion – including Bella Hadid, Sylvia Jorif, Karlie Kloss, Linda Fargo and more – the international committee of experts will vote to select the eight finalists of the LVMH prize. And what are these finalists competing for? A 300,000-euro endowment and a year-long mentorship by a dedicated LVMH team. The Karl Lagerfeld Prize rewards a designer a 150,000-euro allocation and mentorship, while the Prize also provides three students graduating from fashion school with 10,000 euros and an invitation to join a design studio of one of the group’s houses for one year. 

“I am very pleased to welcome these talented young designers and I am extremely grateful to the candidates from all over the world who took part in this edition. The 22 semi-finalists are all driven by a very innovative vision and also show great creative maturity. Many of them place the culture and craftsmanship of their native country at the heart of their design approach,” shares Delphine Arnault in a statement. “Eco-responsibility is also a major stake for them as they use innovative or recycled materials, and embrace a more local and ethical production system. The fluidity between menswear and womenswear is another key feature this year, since no fewer than nine designers create genderless collections. Values of inclusivity and diversity showcased in the selection also echo the turn taken by the fashion and luxury industries. I would like to warmly thank all of our Experts who contribute each year to making the LVMH Prize a bench- mark for young designers. The 2023 edition promises to be exceptional.”

Full list of brands selected: 

1. AARON ESH by Aaron Esh, United Kingdom, menswear
2. ANNE ISABELLA by Anne Isabella, France, womenswear
3. BETTTER by Julie Pelipas, Ukraine, womenswear
4. BLOKE by Faith Oluwajimi, Nigeria, genderless collections
5. BURC AKYOL by Burc Akyol, France, womenswear, menswear and genderless collections
6. CHARLIE CONSTANTINOU by Charlie Constantinou, United Kingdom, menswear and genderless collections
7. DIOTIMA by Rachel Scott, Jamaica, womenswear
8. JOAO MARASCHIN by Joao Maraschin, Brazil, womenswear and menswear
9. JOHANNA PARV by Johanna Parv, Estonia, womenswear
10. JUNTAE KIM by Juntae Kim, South Korea, genderless collections
11. KARU RESEARCH by Kartik Kumra, India, menswear
12. KUSIKOHC by Giseok Cho, South Korea, genderless collections
13. LOUIS SHENGTAO CHEN by Louis Shengtao Chen, China, womenswear
14. LUAR by Raul Lopez, United States, womenswear, menswear and genderless collections
15. MAGLIANO by Luca Magliano, Italy, menswear
16. MARRKNULL by Wei Wang and Tian Shi, China, genderless collections
17. NAMESAKE by Michael, Richard and Steve Hsieh, Taiwan, menswear and genderless collections
18. PAOLINA RUSSO by Paolina Russo, Canada, and Lucile Guilmard, France, womenswear
19. QUIRA by Veronica Leoni, Italy, womenswear
20. SETCHU by Satoshi Kuwata, Japan, genderless collections
21. STINARAND by Stina Randestad, Sweden, genderless collections
22. WATARU TOMINAGA by Wataru Tominaga, Japan, genderless collections

To vote for the LVMH prize and to apply, visit lvmhprize.com.