Nine emerging designers from around the world have been selected as finalists for the 2026 LVMH Prize. The shortlist includes talents from the United States, Europe, China, and Kenya for the first time. They will present their work to a jury in Paris on September 4.
In March, 20 designers presented their collections to the LVMH Prize Committee of Experts in Paris. Over 80 industry veterans reviewed the submissions, narrowing the field to nine finalists: Colleen Allen from the United States; Gabriel Figueiredo of De Pino from France; Galib Gassanoff of Institution from Georgia; Julie Kegels from Belgium; Zane Li of Lii from China; Petra Fagerström from Sweden; Harry Pontefract of Ponte from the United Kingdom; Daniel del Valle Fernandez of THEVXLLEY from Spain; and Anil Padia of Yoshita 1967 from Kenya. Delphine Arnault, chairman and CEO of Christian Dior Couture and founder of the LVMH Prize, announced the finalists. “I am delighted to announce the names of the nine finalists for the 2026 LVMH Prize,” Arnault said in a statement. “This shortlist illustrates the Prize’s reach, with designers from the United States, Europe, China and, for the first time, Kenya. Each of the finalists has demonstrated a singular creative vision while offering highly sophisticated interpretations of traditional craftsmanship.” The jury features new members including Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez of Loewe, Camille Miceli of Emilio Pucci, Michael Rider of Celine, and Pietro Beccari, chairman and CEO of Louis Vuitton. They join returning experts such as Jonathan Anderson, Sarah Burton, Maria Grazia Chiuri, Nicolas Ghesquière, Marc Jacobs, Stella McCartney, Nigo, Phoebe Philo, Pharrell Williams, Jean-Paul Claverie, Sidney Toledano, and Arnault. Arnault expressed gratitude to the committee and congratulated the finalists ahead of the event at Fondation Louis Vuitton. “I am very grateful to our Committee of Experts for their commitment to emerging talent, [and] I warmly congratulate the finalists and look forward to welcoming them to the LVMH Prize final,” she added. The jury will award the LVMH Prize, Karl Lagerfeld Prize, and Savoir-Faire Prize. Last year's winners were Soshiotsuki, Steve O Smith, and Torishéju, respectively.
