LVMH Prize: A Gateway to Fashion’s Future

Written by Thelma Gauthier

Edited by Olivia Taylor

LVMH, the French conglomerate behind prestigious luxury houses such as Louis Vuitton and Dior – as well as renowned champagne brands such as Moët & Chandon – has increasingly become an industry powerhouse under Bernard Arnault’s leadership. In light of this, the LVMH Prize has established itself as an essential springboard for young fashion designers, offering international recognition and significant financial support. As part of a broader corporate mission that includes philanthropy, artistic collaborations, and the creation of/a partnership with the Fondation Louis Vuitton, LVMH seeks to place art at the heart of luxury. With figures like Pharrell Williams at the helm of Louis Vuitton, the goal is to merge craftsmanship and art, fostering innovation in tandem. It is with these core values that the creation of the LVMH prize was initiated in 2013.

This prize has launched the careers of numerous now-iconic talents, such as Simon Porte Jacquemus. The designer from the south of France, now a fashion show superstar, is known for his colorful universe, collaborations with major celebrities, and his minimalist style inspired by his mother. Since the 2000s, his creative DNA has always remained intact, with the LVMH Prize playing a crucial role in his rise. Another prosperous winner, Marine Serre, made a mark on the industry with her signature crescent moon motif. Lastly, and by no means exhaustively, Wales Bonner won the prize in 2016. These three creators exemplify the success that can follow being spotlighted by the prize; Jacquemus’ financial and cultural achievements are outstanding, Marine Serre’s collections are now sold in the biggest department stores, and Wales Bonner, among other accomplishments, created a lucrative collaboration with Adidas last year.

The LVMH Prize jury often includes muses or individuals closely associated with the group’s renowned fashion houses, thus further elevating the elite status of the prize. In 2024, actress Natalie Portman emphasized the economic impact of the prize. Indeed, the €300,000 grant provides a substantial boost to the winners’.

The LVMH Prize is open to fashion designers worldwide, aged between 18 and 40, who have already presented at least two collections of women’s, men’s, or unisex ready-to-wear. The selection process unfolds in several stages. An internal committee first selects semi-finalists who showcase their collections in Paris during Fashion Week. These designers then meet the LVMH Prize Experts, who narrow down the selection to the finalists. The grand finale takes place at the Fondation Louis Vuitton, in the outskirts of Paris, where a prestigious jury conducts interviews with the finalists to select the winners.

As mentioned, the grand winner of the LVMH Prize receives €300,000 as well as a mentorship program led by LVMH’s dedicated teams. Another distinction,  The Karl Lagerfeld Prize, bestows €150,000 along with a similar mentorship opportunity. Additionally, three young fashion school graduates are awarded a €10,000 grant and one-year internships in LVMH fashion studios.

The prize’s mentorship program is an invaluable resource for the winners of both the LVMH and Karl Lagerfeld Prizes. For one year, they benefit from tailor-made advice in key areas of the fashion industry including sustainability, communications and marketing, financial brand management, intellectual property, and the legal aspects of running a fashion label. The program provides young designers with a unique opportunity to exercise their creativity while achieving economic success under the guidance of experts from one of the world’s leading luxury groups. The LVMH Prize certainly stands as a career-defining gateway to international recognition.

For this year’s edition, Delphine Arnault, CEO at Dior and former head at Louis Vuitton – and daughter of billionaire Bernard Arnault – explains: 

Once again this year, the LVMH Prize will take place in a digital and participatory format on the dedicated website lvmhprize.com. From March 5 to 9, the public will have the opportunity to discover the designers and vote for their eight favorite candidates, just like the Experts.  

During this semi-final stage, the eight finalists will be selected by the LVMH Prize Expert Committee, which consists of over 80 international fashion specialists.  

As the LVMH Prize enters its second decade, I am once again honored to unveil a selection of exceptional talents. For this 2025 edition, several trends are emerging among these young designers from around the world, whether it be a renewed interest in tailored elegance, refined artisanal craftsmanship, or a bold reinterpretation of evening wear.  

This year’s list of 20 selected brands also includes candidates from three countries participating in the LVMH Prize for the first time: Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Ghana. Additionally, I am delighted to welcome back two brands that have previously competed in the Prize: Renaissance Renaissance (2021) and Soshiotsuki (2016).

Over the years since its creation, the prize has continuously evolved, reflecting changing trends in the fashion industry. In particular, sustainability has become a key focus, as reflected by last year’s selection of finalists and its winner, Ellen Hodakova Larsson. As Maria Grazia Churi, LVH prize juror and artistic director at Dior, enthuses, “Ellen Hodakova Larsson has successfully built a brand that resonates with its audience. She proves that upcycling has commercial potential, which is still relatively rare.” Last year, 2,500 candidates submitted applications. Following an initial pre-selection, the semi-final in April narrowed the competition down to eight finalists. Fashion journalists covering the prize generally agreed that this selection represented the main currents shaping contemporary fashion, emphasizing ecological consciousness with upcycling, made-to-order production, and careful material sourcing. The work of the finalists had other common threads, including the reinvention of conventional silhouettes, challenging of gender norms, and an emphasis on  artisanal excellence, which remains a crucial asset for those aspiring to work with or impress luxury houses.