After months of deliberation, the winner of the LVMH prize was revealed yesterday at the Fondation Louis Vuitton in the presence of the artistic directors JW Anderson, Kris Van Assche, Maria Grazia Chiuri, Nicolas Ghesquière and Clare Waight Keller. It was the young designer Thebe Magugu who was chosen unanimously for his modern vision on South African culture mixed with current social issues. His deconstructed red safari suit with cut-outs, tartan bi-material mini dress and flamboyant red floral mini dress from his « African Studies » collection made waves. He’ll receive 300.000 euros and a year of mentoring by LVMH experts to carry his brand into a sustainable future.

A special prize was also awarded in the honor of Karl Lagerfeld, who passed away last February and was a member of the prize’s jury for many years. The Israeli designer Hed Mayner won 150.000 euros as well as the same year of mentoring. About him, Delphine Arnault declared: « The jury was impressed by Hed Mayner’s contemporary vision. His collections question the male gender thanks to an aesthetic that combines fluidity and structure, simplicity and luxury. »