The 2026 LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers has selected 20 semi-finalists from 2,400 applications, representing 17 nationalities. This marks the thirteenth edition of the program, which continues to draw global emerging talent and expand geographic reach.
For the first time, designers from Georgia, Kenya, and Thailand are included among the semi-finalists. The selection reflects strong diversity across Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa, alongside established fashion hubs.
The semi-final presentations are scheduled for March 4–5, 2026, during Paris Fashion Week. This year, the event moves to La Samaritaine, the LVMH-owned department store in Paris. Over 80 international fashion specialists will evaluate the collections. Public voting opens from March 4–8 on the official digital platform at lvmhprize.com, contributing to the selection of eight finalists.
The awards, to be announced in September 2026, include:
Notable among the semi-finalists is Kartik Research by Indian designer Kartik Kumra, a returning candidate from the 2023 semi-finals. Kumra recently presented during Paris Men’s Fashion Week and received a Fashion Trust Arabia award in 2025.
Other semi-finalists bring prior recognition:
The full list of 2026 semi-finalists includes:
For the first time, designers from Georgia, Kenya, and Thailand are included among the semi-finalists. The selection reflects strong diversity across Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa, alongside established fashion hubs.
The semi-final presentations are scheduled for March 4–5, 2026, during Paris Fashion Week. This year, the event moves to La Samaritaine, the LVMH-owned department store in Paris. Over 80 international fashion specialists will evaluate the collections. Public voting opens from March 4–8 on the official digital platform at lvmhprize.com, contributing to the selection of eight finalists.
The awards, to be announced in September 2026, include:
- LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers: €400,000 endowment plus one year of strategic and operational support from LVMH teams.
- Karl Lagerfeld Prize: €200,000 for brand development with strong creative potential, plus dedicated mentoring.
- Savoir-Faire Prize: €200,000 for excellence in craftsmanship combined with sustainable innovation.
Notable among the semi-finalists is Kartik Research by Indian designer Kartik Kumra, a returning candidate from the 2023 semi-finals. Kumra recently presented during Paris Men’s Fashion Week and received a Fashion Trust Arabia award in 2025.
Other semi-finalists bring prior recognition:
- Iamisigo (Nigeria, Bubu Ogisi): Zalando Visionary Award at Copenhagen Fashion Week 2025.
- Julie Kegels (Belgium): Emerging Talent of the Year at the 2025 Belgian Fashion Awards.
- Tiscar Espadas (Spain): Vogue Fashion Fund Spain 2024 and Emerging Talent award.
- Act N°1 (Italy, Luca Lin): Who Is On Next? award in 2017.
The full list of 2026 semi-finalists includes:
- Act N°1 by Luca Lin (Italy) – genderless collections
- Colleen Allen (United States) – womenswear
- De Pino by Gabriel Figueiredo (France)
- Golshaah by Golnar Ahmadian (Iran)
- Iamisigo by Bubu Ogisi (Nigeria)
- Institution by Galib Gassanoff (Georgia)
- Julie Kegels (Belgium)
- Kartik Research by Kartik Kumra (India)
- Kinyan Lam (China)
- LII by Zane Li (China)
- Maz by Manuela Álvarez (Colombia)
- Nong Rag by Cherry W. Rain-Phuangfueang and Teerapat Phuangfueang (United States/Thailand)
- Ponte by Harry Pontefract (United Kingdom)
- SSStein by Kiichiro Asakawa (Japan)
- Shinyakozuka by Shinya Kozuka (Japan)
- The Vxlley by Daniel del Valle Fernandez (Spain/United States)
- Tiscar Espadas (Spain)
- Yoshita 1967 by Anil Padia (Kenya)
- Luke Derrick (United Kingdom) – tailoring
- Petra Fagerström (Sweden) – eponymous brand