LVMH launches second edition of the LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers
Drawing on its successful first edition, with over 1200 applicants of which three very promising winners were rewarded –designer, Thomas Tait, the brand Miuniku and the collective Hood by Air– LVMH announces today the launch of the 2015 edition of the LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers. It rewards a particularly remarkable designer for his or her talent. The winner receives a grant of 300,000 euros, as well as a personalized mentorship from a dedicated LVMH team in developing their company for a period of twelve months. This support includes all crucial areas of expertise that are critical to successfully building a nascent fashion brand (including advisement on intellectual property, sourcing, production and distribution, image and advertising, marketing). In addition, the LVMH Prize also recognizes three recent fashion school graduates, offering them an opportunity to join the design team at an LVMH brand for one year and awarding them a 10 000 euro grant. Its jury is composed of nine creative directors of the LVMH fashion houses : Nicolas Ghesquière (Louis Vuitton), Marc Jacobs (Marc Jacobs), Karl Lagerfeld (Fendi), Humberto Leon and Carol Lim (Kenzo), Phoebe Philo (Céline), Raf Simons (Dior), Riccardo Tisci (Givenchy) who will be joined by J.W. Anderson. Delphine Arnault, Jean-Paul Claverie (advisor to Bernard Arnault and head of corporate philanthropy for LVMH) and Pierre-Yves Roussel (Chairman and CEO of the LVMH Fashion Group) will also be part of it. As told by Delphine Arnault: “With this second edition of the LVMH Prize for Young Designers, the Group confirms its ongoing dedication to young talent. It is our responsibility as leader of our industry to identify tomorrow’s talents and help them grow.” The LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers is open to designers under 40 years of age who have presented and sold at least two women’s or men’s ready-to-wear collections. Applications are accepted beginning today and until February 8th 2015 exclusively through the official LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers website, www.lvmhprize.com. A committee of international experts from the world of fashion, composed of journalists, stylists, buyers, photographers and various leading figures participates in the selection of ten finalists during Paris fashion week, in March 2015. The winner is elected by the jury in the beginning of June 2015. LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers calendar: Prize launch: January 6th Online applications for Young Fashion Designers: January 6th – February 8th 2015 Online applications for Young Graduates: January 6th – May 3rd 2015 Selection of the ten finalists: beginning of March 2015 Winner selected by the jury: Beginning of June 2015 LVMH: 25 years of passion for creativity and support for young fashion talents Over the nearly 25 years since the founding of LVMH, the Group’s brands have all been inspired by a passion for creativity and innovation while nourishing an exceptional heritage rooted in time-honored savoir-faire. As Bernard Arnault puts it: “Innovation is more powerful when it springs from a preserved heritage.” In métiers as diverse as fashion, jewelry, perfumes, leather goods, winemaking or watches, LVMH brands and designers stand apart in their quest for excellence, and their unique passion for innovation, invention and creativity. Because both its roots and future are intimately linked to creativity, LVMH and its brands have always actively nourished creative talent. Creativity is one of the Group’s core values, guiding all its teams, from designers to noses to cellar masters. This engagement inspires all LVMH houses to actively support creativity in every form. The Louis Vuitton Foundation for contemporary art opened to the public in October this year, for that reason, in a sumptuous building created by Frank Gehry, adding to LVMH’s lasting sponsorship of the arts. Motivated by this “passion for creativity”, LVMH has for many years supported the world of fashion globally through corporate philanthropic initiatives (which will continue following the launch of the new LVMH Prize), including: • the ANDAM Fashion Awards (Association Nationale de Développement des Arts de la Mode) • the Hyères International Fashion and Photography Festival • Central Saint Martins College of Arts and Design in London • the investment fund for young designers created by the French Ministry of Culture and Communication. Today, this same passion has led the LVMH Group to launch the LVMH Young Fashion Designers Prize. This initiative helps drive the momentum and emergence of fresh talent that are essential to the vitality and diversity of the fashion ecosystem, a role that is perfectly in phase with the responsibilities of a Group that has become the world leader in luxury. About LVMH LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton is represented in Wines and Spirits by a portfolio of brands that includes Moët & Chandon, Dom Pérignon, Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin, Krug, Ruinart, Mercier, Château d’Yquem, Hennessy, Glenmorangie, Ardbeg, Wen Jun, Belvedere, 10 Cane, Chandon, Cloudy Bay, Terrazas de los Andes, Cheval des Andes, Cape Mentelle, Newton et Numanthia. Its Fashion and Leather Goods division includes Louis Vuitton, Céline, Loewe, Kenzo, Givenchy, Thomas Pink, Fendi, Emilio Pucci, Donna Karan, Marc Jacobs, Loro Piana, Nicholas Kirkwood and Berluti. LVMH is present in the Perfumes and Cosmetics sector with Parfums Christian Dior, Guerlain, Parfums Givenchy, Parfums Kenzo, Perfumes Loewe as well as other promising cosmetic companies (BeneFit Cosmetics, Make Up For Ever, Acqua di Parma and Fresh). LVMH is also active in selective retailing as well as in other activities through DFS, Sephora, Le Bon Marché, la Samaritaine and Royal Van Lent. LVMH’s Watches and Jewelry division comprises Bulgari, TAG Heuer, Chaumet, Dior Watches, Zenith, Fred, Hublot and De Beers Diamond Jewellers Ltd, a joint venture created with the world’s leading diamond group. CONTACTS Prize Director Mark Alizart m.alizart@lvmh.fr Media contacts: Americas: PR CONSULTING Pierre Rougier, Director Sylvie Picquet-Damesme, Partner Lisa Lupinski, Vice President, Fashion Matt Jacobs, Associate Director, Digital lvmhprize@prconsulting.net International: PR CONSULTING PARIS Nathalie Ours, Partner Romain Roz, Account Lead Morgane Sweeney, Community Manager lvmhprize@prconsultingparis.net And on social networks Twitter: @lvmhprize Instagram: @lvmhprizeteam
