The 2025 LVMH Prize has announced its eight finalists, presenting exceptional emerging designers competing for one of the most coveted prizes in fashion. The eight finalists, selected by an expert jury and a public vote, represent a diverse yet established group of fashion talent based in traditional fashion capitals – three from London, three from Paris, one from Milan and one from Tokyo.
London-based candidates include Steve O Smith, Tolu Coker and Torishéju Dumi with her eponymous label Torishéju. Paris is home to Alain Paul with Alainpaul, the collective All-in by Benjamin Barron and Bror August Vestbø, and Danial Aitouganov’s label Zomer. The list is completed by Italy’s Francesco Murano and Japan’s Soshi Otsuki with Soshiotsuki, who returns after being shortlisted in 2016.
Delphine Arnault, chairman and chief executive officer of Christian Dior Couture, noted that these finalists particularly excel in tailoring and craftsmanship. “As technology and AI reshape industries – not just fashion and luxury – creatives are reacting by embracing artisanal craftsmanship as a way to honor a heritage, show authenticity, or celebrate the mastery of the human hand and mind,” she stated.
Arnault explained that designers have long been inspired by different creative fields, but today social media amplifies these influences like never before. Brands now go beyond clothes – they shape entire cultural identities. This shift towards immersive world-building is what keeps fashion dynamic and compelling.
The LVMH Prize has launched many successful careers, including Marine Serre, Nensi Dojaka, Grace Wales Bonner and Simon Porte Jacquemus.
This year’s winner will receive €400,000 EUR and mentorship from LVMH experts. Two other prizes – the Karl Lagerfeld Prize and the Savoir-Faire Prize – are each worth €200,000 EUR and a year’s mentorship by LVMH experts. Last year’s winner was Swedish designer Ellen Hodakova Larsson.
The final selection will take place on September 3rd, 2025 at the Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris, where a jury of top LVMH designers, including the newly appointed Creative director of Givenchy, Sarah Burton, will select the winners.
To be eligible for the LVMH Prize, designers must be between the ages of 18 and 40 and have already launched at least two ready-to-wear collections, whether womenswear, menswear or gender-neutral. In addition to the main competition, three recent fashion school graduates will each receive €10,000 EUR and a one-year internship in the design studio of an LVMH brand.
