This article originally appeared on Vogue Business.
Mustnt that be overwhelming?
In the end, he didnt win.
Model Liya Kebede (left) and LVMH Prize founder Delphine Arnault.
She continues: At the beginning, his brand was really small, but he developed it.
And today, he has his own shop on Avenue Montaigne.
The two-day semi-final is a key stage in the LVMH Prize process and its most social moment.
The 20 LVMH Prize 2024 semi-finalists in Paris.
This year, the prize received some 2,500 digital applications.
The 20 LVMH Prize 2024 semi-finalists in Paris.
When asked how important personality and presentation skills are, Arnault replies: Extremely.
Jacques Agbobly showcasing his brand Agbobly with his model at the two-day LVMH Prize semi-final in Paris.
This year, a new name is joining their ranks: Louis Vuitton Mens creative director Pharrell Williams.
Im often super impressed to see the final candidates on that day of judging.
But the finalists seem so strong, confident and passionate, says Arnault.
Julian Louie showcasing his brand Aubero with his model at the two-day LVMH Prize semi-final in Paris.
Below are this years semi-finalist brands, listed in alphabetical order.
It looked at home here.
The first of three US-born designers in the line-up, Julian Louie hails from Northern California.
Patricio Campillo showcasing his brand Campillo with his model at the two-day LVMH Prize semi-final in Paris.
That really kind of inflicts the stylistic attitude and gesture of the collection, he says of his roots.
Of this crazy, multiple speed-dating semi-final process, Louie says: So far its been a total thrill.
Theres an erotic aspect to it.
Chia Hung Su showcasing his namesake brand Chiahung Su with his model at the two-day LVMH Prize semi-final in Paris.
That bequest is the basis of his eponymous line.
Tooled leathers and decorative metal hardware are also part of Campillos lexicon.
He employs 15 expert weavers and dyers versed in the traditions of the indigenous Atayal people.
Duran Lantink showcasing his namesake brand with his model at the two-day LVMH Prize semi-final in Paris.
Deep savoir-faire from the Formosa cultural tradition, combined with passionate entrepreneurialism, makes Chiahung Su one to watch.
Irony entwines with urgently necessary environmental practice in the collection of a returning LVMH Prize contender.
He has to be among the favourites to progress to the final this year.
Elena Velez showcasing her namesake brand with her model at the two-day LVMH Prize semi-final in Paris.
Other materials include metal reflecting her rust-belt origins and raw silks, linens and cottons.
Jiyong Kims handsome clothes are the by-product of a process that is activated by the elements.
Over time they gain a bleached, irregular patina from long exposure to the sun.
Fidan Novruzova showcasing her namesake brand with her model at the two-day LVMH Prize semi-final in Paris.
This process combines poetry with progressive environmental practice to create pieces that explore our relationship to the surface.
So-called plus-size clothing often comes embedded with social stigma, but Vittos mission is to upend that negative norm.
As both a designer and entrepreneur, Vitto seems an outstandingly deserving candidate for further consideration.
Ellen Hodakova Larsson showcasing her brand Hodakova with her model at the two-day LVMH Prize semi-final in Paris.
Khoki is a collective of six designers based in Tokyo, led by Koki Abe.
They all graduated from the same school, Tokyo Mode Gakuen.
They create menswear using the codes of American quilting and patchwork and using Japanese fabrics and techniques.
Jiyong Kim showcasing his namesake brand Jiyongk imwith his model at the two-day LVMH Prize semi-final in Paris.
They presented Tat the showroom a playful dragon-shaped handbag and elf ears.
Paris, Abe says.
She played with the skirts versatility this year.
Karoline Vitto showcasing her namesake brand with her model at the two-day LVMH Prize semi-final in Paris.
Its a full statement collection.
Italian designer Niccolo Pasqualetti worked as a womens ready-to-wear designer at Loewe before launching his genderless brand for SS22.
The designer lives between Tuscany and Paris, and the brand is entirely based on Italian craftsmanship.
Three of the six designers behind the Khoki collective with their model at the two-day LVMH Prize semi-final in Paris.
The pieces are made to last, ranging from 190 tank tops to 5,000 coats.
Yes, but we dont like to use it as marketing, Pasqualetti says.
Hence the classic materials like tweed, fake fur and pearls.
Karoline Vitto showcasing her namesake brand with her model at the two-day LVMH Prize semi-final in Paris.
It shone,wroteVogue Runways Sarah Mowerabout the show.
Pasqualetti was a semi-finalist of the LVMH Prize in 2022.
It felt right to bring Niccolo back to the prize, says Gilhart.
Niccolò Pasqualetti showcasing his namesake brand with his model at the two-day LVMH Prize semi-final in Paris.
The brand is available in 46 stores worldwide including Dover Street Market.
Paolo Carzana constructs and dyes his collections from his studio in London.
His dyes are derived from plants.
Paolo Carzana showcasing his namesake brand with his model at the two-day LVMH Prize semi-final in Paris.
I made this collection in five weeks, he says in the LVMH Prize showroom.
This is aloe vera fibre, this is eucalyptus fibre and this is flax seed.
Everything I work with is organic, deadstock or antique and I dye everything naturally myself.
Pauline Dujancourt showcasing her namesake brand with her model at the two-day LVMH Prize semi-final in Paris.
Many important eyes are already on him.
That includes The Costume Institute, which invited Carzana to create an outfit for its upcoming exhibition.
She has a signature: crochet pieces mixed with silk for a little lightness.
Alex Po and Derek Cheng showcasing their brand Ponder.er with their model at the two-day LVMH Prize semi-final in Paris.
For knitwear and crochet production, she works with a group of women based in Lima, Peru.
My dream is to always be able to continue to support more female artisans, she says.
Their signature is to play with fabrics like denim and create a different texture.
Michael Stewart showcasing his brand Standing Ground with his model at the two-day LVMH Prize semi-final in Paris.
The brand caught the attention of Yu Prize judges in 2022, securing the grand prize.
It is also popular with a growing number of K-pop and Chinese celebrities.
The fabric and construction of Michael Stewarts eveningwear is exquisite.
Yonathan Carmel showcasing his brand Vautrait with his model at the two-day LVMH Prize semi-final in Paris.
He calls them soft sculptures.
It feels like couture and he wants to develop his custom business.
I do love to work with clients.
Everard Best and Téla D’Amore showcasing their brand Who Decides War with his model at the two-day LVMH Prize semi-final in Paris.
Its a sustainable and gentle way to scale, he says.
What if he wins the LVMH Prize?
I will put the money into the work.
Yayi Chen Zhou showcasing her brand Ya Yi with her model at the two-day LVMH Prize semi-final in Paris.
I dont want to lose the money on a show that costs 100,000.
I want to continue developing techniques that I couldnt afford before.
Yonathan Carmel studied philosophy before creating his womenswear brand in 2021.
They should teach philosophy in fashion schools.
It helps you to think, says the Tel Aviv-based designer, whose favourite philosopher is Jacques Derida.
Theres no denying that his creations are thoughtful.
He mixes draping, extreme tailoring and craft.
Best met his partner Tela DAmore when he was looking for a womenswear designer.
He didnt need a womenswear designer, [but] he did need structure.
So I came in and offered that structure, DAmore explains.
Theyre now eight seasons in and are expanding the womens collection season after season.
Now, based in Shanghai, she describes her work as multicultural and poetic.
Her sense of artistry and commerciality makes you well-rounded, Gilhart says.
Comments, questions or feedback?
Email us atfeedback@voguebusiness.com.
