The panel of industry experts – including Marc Jacobs, Virgil Abloh, Stella McCartney, and Kim Jones – has awarded Nensi Dojaka this year’s LVMH Prize for young designers. The London-based designer has won €300,000 and a year’s mentorship from the prestigious fashion group, LVMH. Previous winners have included Marine Serre, Wales Bonner, and Peter Do – the accolade ensures a spotlight on the winner’s brand and provides commercial help and industry guidance to the designer.
Nensi was born in Albania and is now based in London; the globality of applications for the LVMH Prize, across 110 countries proves creativity and that trends are no longer dependent on the established fashion capitals. Nensi attended Central Saint Martins, later opening her namesake brand in 2017. She has previously created a capsule collection with SSENSE and received support from Fashion East, the non-profit incubator program which supports emerging designers.
Nensi’s aesthetic is something refreshing to see on catwalks currently – her adaption of deconstructed lingerie and influences from 1990s minimalism, merged with the anti-fashion of Ann Demeulemeester and Helmut Lang inspires beautiful garments. Bella Hadid’s 2020 MTV VMA look by Nensi was one of the rare outfits influential during the pandemic, and it still inspires the post-pandemic fashion today. Her technical abilities to drape and create sultry silhouettes from complex, sheer fabrics prove her high levels of designer skill. Light, neutral fabrics draped, wrapped, and layered around the body create flattering garments, suitable for everyone.
Already a fashion powerhouse, the LVMH Prize will certainly aid in propelling forward Nensi’s talent and popularity. Keep an eye out on Friday 17th September for Nensi’s physical fashion show during London Fashion Week!
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Words by Caitlin Sahin, Graphics by Emily Chapillon
