Masayuki Ino and his fashion house Doublet nabbed the top award in the LVMH Prize.
Ino’s bravura reinterpretation of Japanese graphics and posh punk attitude made him one of the favorites for the prize.
A special award went to Rok Hwang, a South Korean who grew up in Austin, Texas, whose label is known as Rokh. A graduate of St Martin’s in London, his is a kicky signature in women’s street wear.
This is a global award. Beginning last year with over 4,000 applicants over 102 nationalities, with an average age of 29, these were whittled down to 20 young hopefuls.
Next, in late February, over two days, a team of 48 international experts – editors, retailers, writers, stylists and educators – made the initial cull from 20 designers to nine finalists.
All entrants must be under 40 and have produced at least two collections. The 2018 edition marks the fifth LVMH Prize, whose 300,000-euro award is the highest sum for a single award in fashion.
Though other awards in Europe have considerable prestige, the LVMH Prize has emerged as the most coveted by dint of its generous financial pay-out and the reputation of its double jury.
LVMH’s string of luxe marques includes Moët & Chandon, Dom Pérignon, Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior Couture and Céline.
