African Designers KENNETH IZE and THEBE MAGUGU are 2019 LVMH Prize Finalists

LVMH Prize 2019 recently announced the eight finalists for this year’s edition, announcing their most diverse group of designers since the award’s inception six years ago which features designers KENNETH IZE from Nigeria, and THEBE MAGUGU from, South Africa.

“Each new edition brings its lot of firsts, It goes to show the reach of the Prize on the one hand, and on the other, the reach of fashion, its ability to touch more and more people, thanks in part to the internet. It is truly a unifying dynamic. This year we received more than 1,700 applications, a record. First and foremost, [of course,] we appraise the creativity of the candidates. Naturally, if it is combined with an ethical and environmental awareness at the service of creation, then so much the better. This was the case at Phipps, with Spencer Phipps’s fabric sourcing and his informed approach to the environment. Or for instance with Bethany Williams, who is committed to aiding minorities through her involvement in fashion.” said Executive Vice President of Louis Vuitton and the founder of the Prize.

The winner of the LVMH Prize will be announced in June, after the jury meets with the finalists at the Fondation Louis Vuitton. It will be the first jury that Karl Lagerfeld, who died last month, will not be present for. 

We wish the African designers goodluck and hope one of them brings the prize home.

Meet the finalists here:

ANREALAGE by Kunihiko Morinaga (Japanese designer, based in Tokyo)
Womenswear, showing in Paris.

BETHANY WILLIAMS by Bethany Williams (British designer, based in London)
Gender-neutral fashion, showing in London.

BODE by Emily Adams Bode (American designer, based in New York)
Menswear, showing in New York.

HED MAYNER by Hed Mayner (Israeli designer, based in Tel Aviv)
Gender-neutral fashion, showing in Paris.

KENNETH IZE by Kenneth Izedonmwen (Nigerian designer, based in Lagos)
Gender-neutral fashion, showing in Lagos.

PHIPPS by Spencer Phipps (American designer, based in Paris)
Gender-neutral fashion, showing in Paris.

STEFAN COOKE by Stefan Cooke & Jake Burt (British designers, based in London)
Menswear, showing in London.

THEBE MAGUGU by Thebe Magugu (South African designer, based in Johannesburg)
Womenswear, showing in Johannesburg.

Here’s some of Kenneth Ize’s work.

Here’s some of THEBE MAGUGU’s work.