LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton has announced the semi-finalists for the LVMH Young Designers’ Prize 2026, naming twenty emerging fashion houses selected from more than 2,400 applicants worldwide. This announcement marks the 13th edition of the prestigious competition and marks its growing global reach, with designers from 17 countries. The next step will take place during Paris Fashion Week in March 2026, where these semi-finalists will present their collections and eight finalists will be chosen.
The unveiling of the 2026 LVMH Young Designers’ Prize semi-finalists signals the campaign’s growing international influence, as this year’s shortlist includes designers from Georgia, Kenya and Thailand for the first time. The LVMH Prize has long been regarded as one of the industry’s most powerful launch pads and continues to showcase young brands that combine creativity, craftsmanship and commercial promise.
20 designers go to the Paris Showcase
LVMH announces the list of the twenty shortlisted candidates for the semi-finals to be held on March 4 and 5. The thirteenth edition of the LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers has once again confirmed its success, with more than 2,400 registrations from all over the world.
More information:… pic.twitter.com/RzcvmFEIuK
— LVMH (@LVMH) February 10, 2026
The twenty semi-finalists will present their collections on March 4 and 5 in Paris during Fashion Week, marking the next step in the competition’s timeline for 2026. The semi-final showroom will be held for the first time at La Samaritaine, LVMH’s historic department store, while the group’s headquarters is being renovated.
During the two-day event, members of the LVMH Prize expert committee, a panel of more than 80 international fashion specialists, will judge the collections and vote to determine the eight finalists. In addition to the industry jury, the public will also participate in the selection process. From March 4 to 8, fashion lovers can discover the designers online and vote for their favorite brands via the competition’s digital platform.
Delfine Arnaultwho leads the initiative, highlighted the diversity and quality of this year’s group. “I am very pleased with the global success of the LVMH Prize,” she said in a statement. “I am once again privileged to unveil a shortlist of outstanding talents. Their collections include contemporary elegance, bold designs and even unique pieces. Craftsmanship and research into materials are at the heart of their creations.”
Arnault also noted the geographic breadth of the selection. “This year’s 20 semi-finalists come from major fashion capitals, but also, for the first time, from Georgia, Kenya and Thailand,” she added.
Designers from 17 countries
The semi-finalists of the LVMH Prize 2026 have been announced.✨
Africa is represented by
IAMISIGO🇳🇬 and YOSHITA🇰🇪 pic.twitter.com/FXrl05wIwb— THE FASHION SOURCE (@FashionRsource) February 10, 2026
The semi-finalists of the LVMH Young Designers’ Prize reflect a broad cross-section of the global fashion landscape. Among the brands that make both women’s and men’s clothing is Iamisigo by Bubu Ogisi from Nigeria, Kartik Research by Kartik Kumra from India, Lii by Zane Li of China, and Ponte by Harry Pontefract of the United Kingdom.
The women’s clothing category includes Colleen Allen (USA), De Pino by Gabriel Figueiredo (France), Golshaah by Golnar Ahmadian (Iran), Julie Kegels (Belgium), Maz Manuela Álvarez by Manuela Alvarez (Colombia), Petra Fagerstrom (Sweden), and Yoshita 1967 by Anil Padia (Kenya).
Menswear designers who advance to the semi-finals are named by Derrick Lucas Derick (UK), Shinyakozuka by Shinya Kozuka (Japan), and Ssstein by Kiichiro Asakawa (Japan).
The genderless segment consists of Law No. 1 (Italy), Institution (Georgia), Kinyan Lam (China), Nong Rak (US/Thailand), The Vxlley (Spain), and Tiscar Espadas (Spain/Switzerland).
Notably, Indian designer Kartik Kumra returns to the competition after reaching the semi-finals earlier in 2023, making him one of the few repeat contenders among the LVMH Young Designers’ Prize semi-finalists.
There are three major prizes at stake
The winner of the 2026 LVMH Prize will receive a donation of €400,000 and a year of mentorship from LVMH experts. https://t.co/iIbkGyiAMl
— Vogue Runway (@VogueRunway) February 10, 2026
The winner of the LVMH Prize will receive a grant of 400,000 euros and a one-year LVMH mentorship, in the areas of sustainable development, communications, copyright, legal affairs, marketing, production and financial management.
In addition to the main prize, the Karl Lagerfeld Prize awards 200,000 euros and a one-year mentorship to a creative brand. The Savoir-Faire Prize, focused on craftsmanship, innovation and sustainability, provides a subsidy of 200,000 euros. Three fashion graduates will also receive 10,000 euros and a one-year internship at a design studio of an LVMH fashion house. Applications remain open until April 5 at the LVMH website.
A track record of launching careers
Since its launch, the LVMH Prize has helped accelerate the careers of designers Marine Serre, Simon Porte Jacquemus, Thebes Magugu, Grace Wales BonnerAnd Duran Lantink. Last year’s winner was Soshiotsuki, the Japanese designer’s label Soshi Otsukiknown for its oversized tailoring inspired by Giorgio Armani from the 80s.
With more than 2,400 entries submitted for the 2026 edition, the competition once again proves its global appeal. Following the presentation of the semi-finals and the final selection of eight finalists, the winners will be announced at a ceremony later this year, marking the conclusion of the 2026 LVMH Prize timeline.
As Paris Fashion Week approaches, industry insiders will be keeping a close eye on which of the 20 emerging brands will advance to the final stages and potentially join the ranks of fashion’s next big names.
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