Top image: Astrid Andersen FW16, photo by Takanori Okuwaki

LVMH’s Prize for Young Fashion Designers has announced its 23-strong list of semi-finalists, six of which solely design menswear (Grace Wales Bonner does both). The men’s list includes: Wales Bonner, Astrid Andersen (nominated again this year), Y/Project, Cottweiler, Alex Mullins, Feng Chen Wang and Soshi Otsuki.

1,000 entries were received; designers coming from over 50 countries exhibited interest in the prize (now in it’s third year) – a huge amount of interest that is indicative of the Prize’s international reach and reputation.

“Men’s fashions remain well-represented and streetwear continues to make a statement without calling into question the high tradition of women’s ready-to-wear,” Delphine Arnault, Director and Executive Vice President of LVMH, commented. “As a leader in the industry, it is the LVMH Group’s responsibility to identify and help young designers grow.”

Finalists will be announced on the 2nd and 3rd of March in Paris after a meet-and-greet of the Prize’s star-studded panel, which includes industry heavyweights such as Sarah Mower, Cathy Horyn, Tim Blanks, Suzy Menkes and Charlotte Stockdale. The winner will be selected on June 16th – so keep watch.