The LVMH Prize has long been one of fashion’s most telling barometers of what comes next. This year’s 13th edition has crowned three emerging talents whose distinct approaches to modern dressing, couture technique and craftsmanship point toward an increasingly individual future for the industry.
Belgian designer Julie Kegels, 27, takes home the coveted LVMH Prize for her namesake womenswear label. Her work was recognised for its multifaceted, contemporary wardrobe and celebration of individuality. The award comes with a €400,000 endowment and a year of mentorship from LVMH experts.
The Karl Lagerfeld Prize goes to Zane Li, the 25-year-old Chinese designer behind Lii. Blending the athletic ease of sportswear with the precision and attitude of couture, Lii reflects the increasingly fluid boundaries of contemporary fashion. Li receives €200,000 alongside a year of mentorship from the LVMH Group.
The Savoir-Faire Prize was awarded to Anil Padia, 35, founder of Kenyan womenswear label Yoshita 1967. His artisan- and community-led approach places traditional handiwork at the centre of the creative process. Alongside a €200,000 prize and mentorship, Yoshita 1967 will receive €50,000 worth of embellishments through LVMH Métiers d’Excellence and Maison Vermont.
The winners were selected at the Fondation Louis Vuitton by an extraordinary jury of LVMH creative forces, including Jonathan Anderson, Sarah Burton, Maria Grazia Chiuri, Nicolas Ghesquière, Stella McCartney, Phoebe Philo, Nigo, Michael Rider and Pharrell Williams, alongside Delphine Arnault and other LVMH executives. Jennifer Lawrence presented the main prize to Kegels, while Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Urassaya Sperbund presented the remaining awards.
With previous winners including Thebe Magugu, Marine Serre, Wales Bonner and Jacquemus, the LVMH Prize has an impressive record of identifying designers before they become household names. The 2026 winners now join that lineage, with three very different visions of where fashion might go next.