Photographed by Marc Pritchard for Crash.

The 9 LVMH finalists have just been announced, an occasion to look back on our features of some of the chosen designers.

Sleek lines, neutral colors, and deconstruction: these are the signs that you have entered the realm of Rokh, the London brand created in 2016 by Rok Hwang. In no time at all, the designer has risen to prominence on the strength of radical silhouettes that put forward a vision of raw femininity. Throwing aside the clichés and flashy trends, the silhouettes seem to convey a timeless style reminiscent of Margiela’s best work from the 90s or Phoebe Philo for Céline, where the designer worked for three years. Hwang takes a passionate approach to clothing, which comes across in the playful way he deconstructs each garment and finds the most original way to stitch it back together again. Innovation is a cornerstone of his work. Born in Korea, the designer grew up in Austin, Texas before leaving in 2004 to study at Central Saint Martins in London, where he earned a Bachelor’s in menswear and a Master’s in women’s ready-to-wear, under the direction of Louise Wilson. After freelancing for Chloé and Louis Vuitton, he eventually capitalized on his experience and seized on the moment to create his own brand. With his first runway show set for Paris in 2018, Rokh is an exciting brand to watch. We’ll especially keep on eye on it since it has just been announced as a finalist in the LVMH prize.

Written by Alice Butterlin.