PARIS - The LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers has named its nine finalists for 2026, a shortlist that stretches from Nairobi to New York and nods to the global threads weaving through fashion's future. Among them, Kenya's Yoshita 1967 by Anil Padia marks a first for the competition - a fitting echo, perhaps, of how lingerie itself has always traveled, from the whalebone corsets of 19th-century Europe to the silk chemises that liberated women across continents. The final, set for September 4 at the Fondation Louis Vuitton, promises a jury reshuffled by last year's creative director carousel - a shift as tectonic as when Paul Poiret banished the corset in 1906, redefining silhouette and power.
The contenders include Belgium's Julie Kegels, whose work with Alaïa speaks to a lineage of sculptural shaping; Sweden's Petra Fagerström, a Balenciaga alumna; and French designer Gabriel Figueiredo of De Pino, who freelances for Dior. British talent Harry Pontefract of Ponte, a member of Maison Margiela's Artisanal division, and Spain's Daniel del Valle of The Vxlley round out the European presence. From further afield, Georgia's Institution by Galib Gassanoff, China's Lii by Zane Li, and U.S. designer Colleen Allen - who honed her craft at The Row and Calvin Klein - offer distinct visions. Allen's minimalist precision recalls the clean lines of 1920s bandeaus, while Padia's resume includes stints at Paco Rabanne and Jacquemus, brands that have each reinterpreted the body's architecture.
Delphine Arnault, chairman and CEO of Christian Dior Couture and the prize's driving force, praised the finalists for "singular creative vision" and "sophisticated interpretations of traditional craftsmanship." The jury swells to 17 this year, with new members including Celine's Michael Rider, Loewe's Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez, and Fendi's Maria Grazia Chiuri, returning after a year's hiatus. The 400,000-euro grand prize - and the Karl Lagerfeld and Savoir-Faire awards - come with mentorship from LVMH's teams, a support system as intricate as a hand-sewn garter. Since the prize launched, it has boosted talents like Marine Serre and Simon Porte Jacquemus, whose work often challenges how we dress the form, much as lingerie has always done - hidden yet foundational.
Originally reported by WWD