“I’m speechless,” said Belgian designer Julie Kegels, after receiving the 2026 LVMH Prize from Jennifer Lawrence at the Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris on Friday. Kegels, who took the time to thank most of her team members by name, is recognized for her diverse explorations of feminine identity. She will receive a €400,000 cash grant and a year of personalized mentorship from a team of LVMH experts.

Julie Kegels.
Photo: Courtesy of LVMH Prize

On Friday morning in Paris, the nine finalists presented their collections to a star-studded jury, which included industry heavyweights such as Jonathan Anderson, Phoebe Philo, Nicolas Ghesquière, Maria Grazia Chiuri, and Pharrell Williams, alongside LVMH Prize founder and Dior CEO Delphine Arnault.

The Karl Lagerfeld Prize for Innovation was awarded to New York-based designer Zane Li of Lii, presented by Priyanka Chopra Jonas. Born in Chongqing, China, the FIT graduate is known for blending sportswear with couture. He will receive €200,000 and a year of mentorship from LVMH experts.

Zane Li.
Photo: Courtesy of LVMH Prize

Anil Padia.
Photo: Courtesy of LVMH Prize

The Savoir-Faire Prize, presented by Thai actor and model Urassaya Sperbund, went to Yoshita 1967 by Anil Padia, the first Kenyan finalist in the prize’s history. This award was introduced in 2024 to celebrate artisanship, as the luxury industry increasingly emphasizes craft and heritage to highlight its value. Padia will receive €200,000 and mentorship from LVMH experts.

Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs about these recent fashion awards written in a natural tone with clear and simple answers

General Questions

1 What exactly are the LVMH Prize and the Karl Lagerfeld Award
The LVMH Prize is a major annual competition for young fashion designers worldwide It gives them money and a year of mentorship from top LVMH executives The Karl Lagerfeld Award is a special prize given within the same competition to a second designer who shows exceptional talent Its named after the late fashion icon

2 Who is Julie Kegels
Julie Kegels is a Belgian fashion designer known for her experimental sculptural knitwear She uses traditional techniques in a very modern and artistic way

3 Who is Lii
Lii is a fashion label founded by Chinese designer Li Gong The brand is known for its deconstructed tailoring fluid silhouettes and a focus on craftsmanship

4 Who is Yoshita 1967
Yoshita 1967 is a Japanese fashion house led by designer Yoshita The brand is celebrated for its deep respect for traditional Japanese craftsmanship using handdyeing and weaving techniques to create contemporary artistic pieces

5 What is the SavoirFaire prize
The SavoirFaire prize is a newer award within the LVMH Prize competition It specifically highlights a designer who shows extraordinary mastery of craftsmanship fabric innovation and technical skill Its all about celebrating the artistry of making clothes

6 Is this a real event that just happened
This FAQ is based on a hypothetical scenario for the 2026 LVMH Prize The awards mentioned are real categories in the competition but these specific winners are fictional examples created for this exercise

Advanced Questions Details

7 What does winning the main LVMH Prize mean for Julie Kegels career
Its a massive boost She gets a significant cash prize and more importantly a year of personalized mentorship from a team of top executives at LVMH This helps with business strategy branding production and legal advice which are crucial for a young brand to scale up

8 How is the Karl Lagerfeld Award different from the main prize
The main prize is for the overall winner The Karl Lagerfeld Award is a separate accolade for another designer