Amiri has announced the 2023 finalists for its prestigious Amiri Prize. Founder and Creative Director Mike Amiri launched the prize in 2021 in a bid to provide a safe space and nurturing incubator for a diverse range of talent from the field of fashion and beyond. 

Recognizing the difficulties faced by many people when trying to break into the oftentimes gate-kept and elitist industry, Mike Amiri boldly mentors winners and finalists through the stages of the competition, preparing them mentally and physically for what is to come in the world of work in the fashion industry. 

Having launched his own brand in 2014, the esteemed designer is aware of the challenges faced by hopeful talents in today’s industry. The Californianan native (not a state widely celebrated for its contribution to the industry) proudly opened his first store on Rodeo Drive in 2020, giving a bricks-and-mortar home to his Americana inspired designs, prestigiously shown on the runways during the Paris Men’s Fashion Week calendar. . 

 For the 2023 edition of the prize, the competition was open to international applicants. This year’s finalists are from Africa, Asia, Europe and North America. The winner will receive a sum of 100,000 USD and a yearlong mentorship with Amiri Founder and Creative Director Mike Amiri, opening the brand’s infrastructure and resources and offering encouragement and empowerment.

After receiving nearly 1,000 applicants world Mike Amiri and the 2023 panel members which include Colm Dillane, Gabriella Karefa-Johnson, Law Roach, Lucia Liu, June Ambrose, Rocco Liu, Salehe Bembury, Samuel Ross, and Will Welch, have finally announced the hotly anticipated list of hopeful talents selected for the final stages of the competition. Selected for they flair and ability to portray a sense of purpose, individuality and personality in their work the finalists selected are as follows: 

Abdel El Tayeb, El Tayeb Nation

Dorian Who, Dorian Who

Ekwerike Chukwuma, WUMAN

Grace Ling, Grace Ling

Keith Herron, Advisry

Li Gong, 8ON8

Lukhanyo Mdingi, Lukhanyo Mdingi

Luke Zhou & Mike Huang, LUKEWARMPEOPLE

Maxwell Osborne, anOnlyChild

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