The LVMH Prize, launched in 2013, was established to shine a light on and celebrate a wave of young fashion designers each year who are creating exciting work and pushing the industry forward in positive and innovative directions. With judges on the panel including Marc Jacobs, Jonathan Anderson, Maria Grazia Chiuri, Stella McCartney and the late Virgil Abloh, it’s safe to say that winning the grand prize is a major seal of approval. The eight finalists for the 2022 prize have recently been announced, so read on below to get to know them and see the future of fashion!
KNWLS
Launched in South London in 2017 by duo Charlotte Knowles and Alexandre Arsenault, KNWLS strives to portray femininity in a more dangerous and sensual way compared to other fashion brands. The brand is known for producing experimental body-con designs covered in loud textures and print, and aim to accentuate silhouettes in unconventional ways which prioritise sensuality and the strength of femininity.
S.S. Daley
Hailing from Liverpool, Daley seeks to question the structural nature of British heritage in his work and raise questions about the British class system. With previous experience working under the houses of Alexander McQueen and Tom Ford, Daley has used the experience gained from those brands and launched his own. With a particular interest in the feminine aspects of masculine culture, Daley offers a uniquely British perspective for the fashion world.
ERL
Designed by Eli Russell Linnetz, ERL is an American ready-to-wear brand that aims to capture the colourful and chilled spirit of California through simple and sensual takes on staple American pieces. The brand includes womenswear, tailoring, accessories and even childrenswear, showcasing a real variety and desire to provide for as many people as possible.
Winnie NY
Whilst now based in the US, Idris Balogun, the man behind Winnie NY, has roots in the British fashion industry having earned an apprenticeship at London’s Savile Row and graduating from the Fashion Institute of Technology. After those experiences, he gained a position at Burberry helping to develop the view of the brand, before transitioning to Tom Ford where he worked as Director of menswear.
Róisín Pierce
Irish womenswear designer Róisín combines innovative and artisanal techniques in her work, wanting to explore the tradition of craftsmanship and its role in Irish women’s history. Pierce has already won a number of awards including the Chanel Métiers d’Art accolade and the Prix du Public, so it’s safe to say she has already begun to make a name for herself. With a passion for zero waste cutting techniques, Pierce aims to create a more sustainable brand for the future of fashion.
Ryunosukeokazaki
Based in Tokyo, Ryunosuke’s work is themed around the harmony between people and nature. Born and raised in Hiroshima, peace and prayer are huge points of interests for Ryunosuke’s craft. Uniquely, the designer doesn’t draw his designs but instead works with his hands and the fabrics to create the dress from the beginning. Ryunosuke launched his brand in 2018 and graduated from the Tokyo University of Arts in 2021 with a Design MA.
Tokyo James
Iniye Tokyo james is a British-Nigerian designer at the front of a wave of new fashion talent emerging from Africa. James studied at Queen Mary University in London before beginning work as a stylist for multiple international publications, as well as directing brand campaigns for companies including Issey Miyake and Puma. James has even extended out of fashion designs and launched his own digital publication called Rough UK, with international versions launched in Italy and New York.
Ashlyn
South Korean designer Ashlynn Park has over a decade of experience in the industry across both Asia (having worked in Tokyo and her native Seoul) and the US, with her current workplace being New York. Park has worked as a fashion designer and pattern maker for iconic Japanese designer Yohji Yamamoto and, after moving to New York in 2011, joined Alexander Wang. Park applies traditional Eastern design elements and techniques with Western practices, creating the best of both worlds. Her work celebrates femininity and strives to be timeless and elegant whilst also minimising environmental harm.
Words By Andrew Coyle
Graphics: Gerasim Kutsarov
