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LVMH Prize 2026: Who are the 9 finalists of the fashion competition?
On April 24th, 2026, the LVMH Prize unveiled the list of its 9 finalists. The streamlined selection drawn from 2,400 applications once again confirms that today’s era is no longer simply looking for “young talents,” but bold designers capable of reshaping an entire industry. Numéro takes a closer look.
Published on 11 February 2026. Updated on 27 April 2026.
The finalists of the 2026 LVMH Prize
After acclaiming talented designers like Soshi Otsuki, Steve O Smith or Torishéju Dumi during its 2025 edition, the LVMH Prize extends its mission to find new designers to lead the fashion houses of tomorrow. Launched in 2013, the LVMH Prize is now one of the key fashion events highlighting emerging talents. This thirteenth edition will be particularly promising, both for the diversity of aesthetics it brings together and for its multicultural scope.
Delphine Arnault, President of the LVMH Prize, emphasized the significance of this new selection: “I am delighted to announce the names of the nine finalists for the 2026 LVMH Prize. This shortlist illustrates the Prize’s reach, with designers from the United States, Europe, China and, for the first time, Kenya. The finalists demonstrated a singular creative vision while offering highly sophisticated interpretations of traditional craftsmanship. I warmly congratulate the finalists and look forward to welcoming them to the LVMH Prize final, which will be held at the Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris.”
The program rewards three new graduates, who will receive a €10,000 grant and join the design studio of an LVMH House for one year. Another new development is the semi-finalists’ showroom, which took place on March 4th and 5th, 2026, at La Samaritaine (owned by the LVMH Group), a landmark of Parisian luxury. The winners of this year’s edition will be announced on September 4th, 2026, at the Louis Vuitton Foundation in Paris.
From Pino to Colleen Allen and Julie Kegels: The designers to watch closely
Among the names already drawing attention are American designer Colleen Allen, Swedish designer Petra Fagerström, but also French designer De Pino and Belgian designer Julie Kegels. The latter made a strong impression in Paris, with Rosalía on the front row of her Spring/Summer 2026 show. Through a hybrid and often playful wardrobe, designed for both the working and party girls, she manages to encapsulate many contemporary obsessions throughout her collections.
It is worth recalling that the LVMH Prize awards three distinctions. First, the LVMH Prize (€400,000), then the Karl Lagerfeld Prize (€200,000), and finally, the Savoir-Faire Prize (€200,000). Each award gives access to a year of mentorship within the Group.
This 2026 edition also marks a turning point in terms of cultural diversity. There are the Indian brand Kartik Research — already a semi-finalist in 2023 — the Thailand-based duo Nong Rak and the American designer Colleen Allen. Together, these names help broaden the perspectives on contemporary fashion. One that is less centered on historic capitals and more attentive to the margins.
Finally, the jury will once again gather leading names in the industry, including Jonathan Anderson, Sarah Burton, Maria Grazia Chiuri, Nicolas Ghesquière, Marc Jacobs, Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez, Stella McCartney, Camille Miceli, Nigo, Phoebe Philo, Michael Rider and Pharrell Williams. Delphine Arnault, Pietro Beccari, Jean-Paul Claverie and Sidney Toledano will round up this prestigious committee.
The winners of the LVMH Prize will be announced on September 4th, 2026, at the Louis Vuitton Foundation in Paris, 16th arrondissement.
The finalists of the 2026 LVMH Prize:
- COLLEEN ALLEN by Colleen Allen, United States, womenswear collections
- DE PINO by Gabriel Figueiredo, France, womenswear collections
- INSTITUTION by Galib Gassanoff, Georgia, womenswear, menswear and unisex collections
- JULIE KEGELS by Julie Kegels, Belgium, womenswear collections
- LII by Zane Li, China, womenswear and menswear collections
- PETRA FAGERSTRÖM by Petra Fagerström, Sweden, womenswear collections
- PONTE by Harry Pontefract, United Kingdom, womenswear and menswear collections
- THE VXLLEY by Daniel del Valle Fernandez, Spain, unisex collections
- YOSHITA 1967 by Anil Padia, Kenya, womenswear collections
