Above image by Jermaine Francis

London-based menswear designer Bianca Saunders has been unveiled as a finalist for this year’s LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers. The designer is one of nine to reach the competition’s climax alongside Charles de Vilmorin, Christopher John Rogers, Conner Ives, Colm Dillane of KidSuper, Kika Vargas, Lukhanyo Mdingi, Nensi Dojaka, and Rui’s Rui Zhou.

“I can’t believe I’m in the top nine,” says Saunders of the nomination. “As a company that is steadily rising in such tough times, this gives the brand a huge boost. It has been a dream of mine to be recognised by such a prestigious prize. Being in the final stages with other talented designers is just so amazing!”

This year’s competition saw around 32,000 people case their ballots as LVMH gave the public and opportunity to vote for their favourite designers. The winner of this year’s award will be decided later this year by a new -look judging panel that includes 23 year-old tennis champion Naomi Osaka, Bella Hadid and Vogue China’s Margaret Zhang. First prize includes a cash prize of €300,000 plus a year of coaching from experts at LVMH while runner-up (and winner of the Karl Lagerfeld Prize) will walk away with €150,000 and a year’s worth of professional mentoring.