2022 LVMH Prize Finalists: Meet The Rising Stars Of Fashion

The wait is over: the finalists of the ninth edition of the LVMH Prize have finally been announced. Since its launch in 2013, the competition has been well-known for being the stepping stone for young talents shaping the future of the fashion industry – and this year, the eight finalists are also to keep an eye on.

Amongst the winners of the past editions, we find the names of Jacquemus (special prize in 2015), Grace Wales Bonner (2016), and Marine Serre (2017). This year, the winner will receive a €300,000 award alongside a one-year mentorship by a dedicated team from LVMH. The Karl Lagerfeld Prize will also reward a young designer with a €150,000 endowment and a year of mentoring.

Let’s discover this year’s talents.

ASHLYN by Ashlynn Park

Originally from South Korea but currently New York-based, ASHLYN celebrates luxurious womenswear through tailored silhouettes and comfort. Having worked previously with names such as Alexander Wang and Yohji Yamamoto, Ashlynn Park creates timeless and high-quality garments designed to last over the years to reduce waste and over-consumption.

ERL by Eli Russell Linnetz

Los Angeles eclectic designer Eli Russel Linnetz is already a music industry favourite, having worked with Lady Gaga and directed Kanye West’s “Famous” and “Fade” music videos. The authentic streetwear pieces embody the bright colours and youthfulness of Venice Beach, where Linnetz grew up.

KNWLS by Charlotte Knowles and Alexandre Arsenault

Founded in London in 2017 by Central Saint Martins graduates Charlotte Knowles and her partner Alexander Arsenault, KNWLS finds its primal inspiration in lingerie and provocatively applies it to sensual and feminine pieces. The brand, famous for its corsetry, experimentally plays with see-through and unexpected layering in utilitarian designs.

ROISIN PIERCE by Róisín Pierce

Zero-waste techniques and femininity are at the base of Roisin Pierce’s brand. Winner of the Chanel’s Métiers d’Arts Prize in 2019, her collection Mná i Bhláth (“Women in Bloom”) celebrates her Irish ancestry through craft and an all-white vision.

RYUNOSUKEOKAZAKI by Ryunosuke Okazaki

Ryunosuke Okazaki, who has only recently graduated from the Tokyo University of the Arts, interprets the spiritual relationship between human beings and nature in avant-garde masterpieces. Far from conventional, Okazaki’s work features colourful shapes inspired by Mother Earth.

S.S. DALEY by Steven Stokey Daley

You might recognize Daley’s work from Harry Style’s "Golden" music video. The “working-class boy” from Liverpool tells the story of British society through his designs. His most recent campaign sees the casting of a Cornish community of generational farmers, wearing check prints and oversized trench coats, complemented by a floral motif – consistent in Daley’s approach.

TOKYO JAMES by Iniye Tokyo James

Tokyo James revolutionizes the concept of African design through traditional tailoring combined with unconventional colours and fabrics. The British-Nigerian designer focuses on classic techniques to create designs for “modern men who want simplicity with an edge”.

WINNIE NEW YORK by Idris Balogun

Balogun, who previously worked at Burberry and Tom Ford, offers timeless and traditional tailoring with an edgy twist. His collections present relaxed silhouettes that also feature unexpected streetwear details and elements that pay homage to the designer’s Nigerian heritage.

Click here to learn more about the LVMH Prize.

Words by Agnese Picchio.