Where has the time gone? It feels only yesterday that we were congratulating Albanian super-star Nensi Dojaka for taking home one of fashion’s most prestigious awards—the LVMH Prize.
Now, fashion’s elite experts, including Bella Hadid and Australia’s very own Margaret Zhang, have scoured almost 2,000 candidates across the globe and selected eight young and emerging designers as the finalists for the 2022 prize.
The awards have already seen the surprise withdrawal from newly-appointed Salvatore Ferragamo Creative Director Maximilian Davis, with the industry speculating he had to drop out of the awards to accept the position. Newcomers including ERL, KNWLS and S.S Daley have progressed to fight it out for the top accolade.
From over 20 semi-finalists, eight designers will be contending for the LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers—the ultimate form of recognition that includes an impressive package of €300,000 and year-long mentoring by a dedicated LVMH team—many of them already boast an impressive career and celebrity fan base.
Considering previous winners include Jacquemus and Marine Serre, there’s no questioning the power of this award. Chances are you’re already familiar with most of the emerging designers, whether this be from their work at various fashion weeks or their viral creations.
Before they showcase their collections to fashion’s most prominent figures, we’ve rounded up the finalists to watch from the 2022 LVMH Prize nominee pool below.
Winnie NY
When you cut your teeth under the guidance of fashion matriarch Tom Ford, you know your career is off to a good start. Having previously held the post of director of menswear and made-to-measure at Ford’s eponymous label, designer Idris Balgoun brings a refreshing edge to menswear design: one that focuses on simplicity and elegance.
ERL
If the name ERL sounds familiar, you know you’re in the know. Eli Russell Linnetz’s all American label is not only lauded on the runway, but has an A-list tick of approval as the preferred designer for red carpet appearances. A$AP Rocky’s quilted robe from the 2021 Met Gala? That’s an ERL creation. Kid Cudi’s wedding gown at the 2021 CFDA Awards? Another ERL masterpiece. We can’t wait to see what’s next.
KNWLS
KNWLS, f.k.a Charlotte Knowles, is the viral designer you’ve definitely seen all over Instagram. Hailing from South London, KNWL’s contemporary take on feminine dressing combines codes of the 90s and early 2000s for an unapologetically sexy approach to ready-to-wear. The label’s socialite fan base includes Kylie Jenner, Kaia Gerber and Bella Hadid and is a staple at London Fashion Week.
S.S Daley
S.S Daley is a quintessentially British menswear label, combining codes of Saville Row tailoring with the rambunctious spirit of upper-class elitism. While the collections itself could be argued as genderless for their androgynous approach to dressing, the brands ethos remains: British symbolism for a new age. With London’s style scene, including Harry Styles, Emma Corrin and Josh O’Connor on board, this label is one to watch.
Ashlyn
Having worked for the likes of Dion Lee, Raf Simons, Nili Lotan and Calvin Klein, it’s no wonder that South-Korean designer Ashyln Park is a top contender. Her design’s focus on impeccable craftsmanship, blending codes of ready-to-wear with haute couture for a hyper-feminine expression of beauty and elegance.
2022 LVMH Prize Finalists
ASHLYN by Ashlynn Park, South Korea, womenswear
ERLby Eli Russell Linnetz, United States, womenswear, menswear and genderless collections
KNWLS by Charlotte Knowles, United Kingdom & Alexandre Arsenault, Canada, womenswear
ROISIN PIERCE by Róisín Pierce, Ireland, womenswear
RYUNOSUKEOKAZAKI by Ryunosuke Okazaki, Japan, genderless collections
S.S. DALEY by Steven Stokey Daley, United Kingdom, menswear
TOKYO JAMES by Iniye Tokyo James, Nigeria, menswear
WINNIE NEW YORK by Idris Balogun, United States, menswear
2022 LVMH Prize Semi-Finalists
AIREI by Drew Curry, United States, menswear
AMESH by Amesh Wijesekera, Sri Lanka, genderless collections
ASHLYN by Ashlynn Park, South Korea, womenswear
BLUEMARBLE by Anthony Alvarez, France, menswear
CHENPENG by Peng Chen, China, genderless collections
ERL by Eli Russell Linnetz, United States, womenswear, menswear and genderless collections
GOOMHEO by Goom Heo, South Korea, menswear and genderless collections
KNWLS by Charlotte Knowles, United Kingdom & Alexandre Arsenault, Canada, womenswear
MAXIMILIAN by Maximilian Davis, United Kingdom, womenswear and menswear
MERYLL ROGGE by Meryll Rogge, Belgium, womenswear and genderless collections
NICCOLO PASQUALETTI by Niccolò Pasqualetti, Italy, genderless collections
PALOMO SPAIN by Alejandro Gòmez Palomo, Spain, genderless collections
PAULA CANOVAS DEL VAS by Paula Canova del Vas, Spain, womenswear
ROISIN PIERCE by Róisín Pierce, Ireland, womenswear
RYUNOSUKEOKAZAKI by Ryunosuke Okazaki, Japan, genderless collections
S.S. DALEY by Steven Stokey Daley, United Kingdom, menswear
TOKYO JAMES by Iniye Tokyo James, Nigeria, menswear
WEINSANTO by Victor Brunstein Weinsanto, France, womenswear
WINNIE NEW YORK by Idris Balogun, United States, menswear
YUEQI QI by Yueqi Qi, China, genderless collections
