ON THE VERGE

Here Are Your Eight LVMH Prize Finalists, Including Atlein and Molly Goddard

The finalists, selected by the likes of Kendall Jenner and Karlie Kloss, will compete for the main prize, which will be announced on June 16th.


Young Designers - Shine Bright - April 2017 - Molly Goddard
Photograph by Charlotte Wales; Styled by Charlotte Collet; Hair by Christian Eberhard at Julian Watson Agency; makeup by Christine Corbel at Management + Artists. Set design (for portfolio) by Georgina Pragnell at Webber Represents

And then there were eight.

Ambush, Atlein, Cecile Bahnsen, Jahnkoy, Kozaburo, Marine Serre, Molly Goddard and Nabil Nayal have been named the eight finalists for the LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers. The group was narrowed down from the initial 21 designers shortlisted for the coveted prize—which includes €300,000 and a year of mentorship from executives at the luxury conglomerate—by a group of “international fashion experts” after seeing the collections first-hand during a special presentation during Paris Fashion Week. Among the experts: Kendall Jenner, Karlie Kloss, Patrick Demarchelier, Miroslava Duma, and Linda Fargo.

This year’s class of nominees includes five traditional womenswear designers, with two focused on menswear (Jahnkoy and Kozaburo) and one unisex label (Ambush). This year also marks the first time a Danish designer (Cecile Bahnsen) has made it to the final eight of the international competition. Also a notable inclusion: London-based Nabil el-Nayal, who was shortlisted two years ago, in 2015.

Molly Goddard’s Dover Street Takeover

“Laying out all the drawings from the presentation for DSMNY installation.”

Courtesy of Molly Goddard studio.

“There were a hundred or so drawings that survived from the AW15 presentation to decide between. Max got bored pretty quickly.”

Courtesy of Molly Goddard studio.

“It was the hottest day of the year when we painted the rugs for the installation.”

Courtesy of Molly Goddard studio.

“Mixing paints for the painted rugs.”

Courtesy of Molly Goddard studio.

“This is our queen seamstress Phoebe. The majority of our dresses are handmade in our studio in Ladbroke Grove in London.”

Courtesy of Molly Goddard studio.

“The beautiful Max getting in the way.”

Courtesy of Molly Goddard studio.

“Sarah Edwards, our fantastic set designer (who is also my Mum), getting messy.”

Courtesy of Molly Goddard studio.

“Sarah showcasing her ruined pedicure.”

Courtesy of Molly Goddard studio.

“Painting the rug for DSMNY.”

Courtesy of Molly Goddard studio.

“Painted rugs emulating an artist’s studio.”

Courtesy of Molly Goddard studio.

“We got the canvases from an art supplier who had used them for a display showcasing their new ‘cool’ spray paints.”

Courtesy of Molly Goddard studio.

“Queen seamstress Phoebe finishing a dress in the studio.”

Courtesy of Molly Goddard studio.

“Sarah packing for the DSM London window installation.”

Courtesy of Molly Goddard studio.

“The Goddard family painting the DSM London window.”

Courtesy of Molly Goddard studio.

“Putting the finishing touches.”

Courtesy of Molly Goddard studio.

“[Me] about to fall asleep after working through the night.”

Courtesy of Molly Goddard studio.

The final product.

Courtesy of Dover Street Market New York.

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The final eight will next meet with the members of the LVMH Prize Jury, which includes Marc Jacobs, J.W. Anderson, Phoebe Philo, Riccardo Tisci, Maria Grazia Chiuri, Nicolas Ghesquière, and Karl Lagerfeld, on June 16th at the Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris. The winner will be announced the same day.

In the meantime, a refresher on each of the final eight:

Ambush

Originally founded as a jewelry line, designer Yoon Ahn transformed her collection, based in Tokyo, into a full-fledged line of unisex clothing that has already caught the eye of Louis Vuitton, Maison Kitsuné, Sacai, and Undercover, all of whom have done collaborations with the brand.

Atlein

Stocked by Net-A-Porter, Bergdorf Goodman, and Neiman Marcus, among other top retailers, Paris-based designer Antonin Tron‘s line of streamlined wardrobe staples has quickly become a go-to for French It-girls—and those who want to dress like them.

Celcilie Bahnsen

Upon graduating from the Royal College of Art in London, the Danish designer developed her eponymous contemporary collection which finds inspiration from traditional techniques including quilting, patchwork, and appliqué embroidery.

Jahnkoy

Based in New York, Russian designer Maria Kazakova describes her menswear line as a “return to craft,” which includes intricate and delicate embroidery, beading, weaving and crochet on each piece.

Kozaburo

With experience working for Thom Browne under his belt, Japanese menswear designer Kozaburo Akasaka has a knack for mixing classic pieces with something modern, citing inspiration from the ’90s music he grew up listening to.

Marine Serre

A graduate of Alexander McQueen, Christian Dior, Maison Martin Margiela, and Balenciaga, the French womenswear designer has crafted an aesthetic all her own that incorporates unexpected silhouettes with bright, primary colors.

Molly Goddard

A darling of London Fashion Week, Goddard embraces the feminine side of fashion, stemming from her signature frills and ruffles.

Nabil Nayal

Also a 2015 LVMH Prize semi-finalist, the London-based designer’s dramatic, often theatrical pieces have been worn by Lady Gaga, Rihanna, and Florence Welch.

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Photo by Adam Katz Sinding

Street style at Paris Fashion Week Fall 2017.

Photo by Adam Katz Sinding

Street style at Paris Fashion Week Fall 2017.

Photo by Adam Katz Sinding

Street style at Paris Fashion Week Fall 2017.

Photo by Adam Katz Sinding

Street style at Paris Fashion Week Fall 2017.

Photo by Adam Katz Sinding

Street style at Paris Fashion Week Fall 2017.

Photo by Adam Katz Sinding

Street style at Paris Fashion Week Fall 2017.

Photo by Adam Katz Sinding

Street style at Paris Fashion Week Fall 2017.

Photo by Adam Katz Sinding

Street style at Paris Fashion Week Fall 2017.

Photo by Adam Katz Sinding

Street style at Paris Fashion Week Fall 2017.

Photo by Adam Katz Sinding

Street style at Paris Fashion Week Fall 2017.

Photo by Adam Katz Sinding

Street style at Paris Fashion Week Fall 2017.

Photo by Adam Katz Sinding

Street style at Paris Fashion Week Fall 2017.

Photo by Adam Katz Sinding

Street style at Paris Fashion Week Fall 2017.

Photo by Adam Katz Sinding

Street style at Paris Fashion Week Fall 2017.

Photo by Adam Katz Sinding

Street style at Paris Fashion Week Fall 2017.

Photo by Adam Katz Sinding

Street style at Paris Fashion Week Fall 2017.

Photo by Adam Katz Sinding

Street style at Paris Fashion Week Fall 2017.

Photo by Adam Katz Sinding

Street style at Paris Fashion Week Fall 2017.

Photo by Adam Katz Sinding

Street style at Paris Fashion Week Fall 2017.

Photo by Adam Katz Sinding

Street style at Paris Fashion Week Fall 2017.

Photo by Adam Katz Sinding

Street style at Paris Fashion Week Fall 2017.

Photo by Adam Katz Sinding

Street style at Paris Fashion Week Fall 2017.

Photo by Adam Katz Sinding

Street style at Paris Fashion Week Fall 2017.

Photo by Adam Katz Sinding

Street style at Paris Fashion Week Fall 2017.

Photo by Adam Katz Sinding

Street style at Paris Fashion Week Fall 2017.

Photo by Adam Katz Sinding

Street style at Paris Fashion Week Fall 2017.

Photo by Adam Katz Sinding

Street style at Paris Fashion Week Fall 2017.

Photo by Adam Katz Sinding

Street style at Paris Fashion Week Fall 2017.

Photo by Adam Katz Sinding
Photo by Adam Katz Sinding
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