This year’s Prize winner was Ellen Hodakova Larsson, a Swedish designer whose brand HODAKOVA was founded in 2021. At the core of the brand are sustainable values, using craftsmanship skills to transform existing items into new luxurious products. Regarding the brand’s ethos, she said, “I believe that we connect to a piece on a deeper level if it has a history and possesses beauty and sentimental value.” HODAKOVA has become increasingly popular, with many celebrities styling their pieces in the last year. Namely; Rosalia, Greta Lee, Emma Corrin, Cate Blanchett and Lady Gaga. The brand’s visual identity has garnered attention online, with many using their stripped-down visuals as inspiration. 

The ‘Karl Lagerfeld’ Prize was awarded to Dutch designer, Duran Lantink. The eponymous brand is based in Amsterdam and Paris and transforms pre-loved pieces, deadstock and new sustainable materials into luxurious garments. His pieces have been featured in several magazines such as Homme Girls, Vogue Japan, V Magazine and more recently, Interview Magazine.

The ‘Savoire-Faire’ prize, whose winner is designer, Micheal Stewart, for his brand Standing Ground. Stewart founded his brand in 2021 after graduating from the Royal College of Art in 2017. The London-based Irish designer was supported by Fashion East’s talent incubator programme, which helped him start the label with the aim of creating pieces of clean, elegant lines that contour the figure.

This year’s winners have pushed the boundaries and displayed immense technical skills, establishing them within the industry. Through core values and environmentalist missions, they have shown the ways luxury fashion can maintain its glamour and pristine while remaining eco-conscious. HODAKOVA has gained established itself as a public favorite, and is sure to continue breaking the barrier. 

Ellen Hodakova Larsson, designer of HODAKOVA

Duran Lantink, designer of Duran Lantink

Micheal Stewart, designer of Standing Ground