The LVMH Prize Announces Its 20 Semi-Finalists for 2021

Meet the 20 young brands eligible for the 2021 LVMH Prize with a twist: You can vote for your favorite to win.

The LVMH Prize semi-finalists for 2021, from top left: AGR's Alicia Robinson, Bianca Saunders, Charles de Vilmorin, Christopher John Rogers, Conner Ives, Frederico Cina, KidSuper's Colm Dillane, Kika Vargas, Lagos Space Programme's Adeju Thompson, Lukhanyo Mdingi, Midorikawa Official's Taku Midorikawa, Nensi Dojaka, Post Archive Fashion's Dongjoon Lim, Renaissance Renaissance's Cynthia Mehrej, Rier's Andreas Steiner, Rui's Rui Zhou, Saul Nash, Shuting Qiu, Taakk's Takuya Morikawa, and Wed's Evan Phillips and Amy TrinhPhoto: Courtesy of LVMH

There’s no question that 2020 was a difficult year for fashion. The COVID-19 pandemic hit young designers especially hard, forcing many to figure out how to stay in business—to stay nothing of staying creative and inspired in one of the world’s darkest times. The 20 semi-finalists for the 2021 LVMH Prize represent the award’s first pandemic class, showcasing the many ways young talents have had to adapt and expand in trying times. Their collections will be shown in a virtual showroom from April 6 to 11, and in an LVMH Prize first, visitors will be able to vote on their favorites.

“This year, over 1,900 people applied: Young designers are showing great maturity in their work,” said Delphine Arnault, executive vice president of Louis Vuitton and founder of the LVMH Prize. “Today, designers are asked to be much more than designers, and the candidates have adapted to this new reality. They are very aware of their image, they build their businesses... and above all, they think about creation and its environmental issues. All the semi-finalists show a sincere and deep commitment, whether it be social, ethical, artisanal, environmental, or local. They are anchored in today’s world.”

This story originally appeared on: Vogue - Author:Steff Yotka