LVMH finalists: 8 designers to watch out for this 2020
Lightening the mood, we come bearing good news from the fashion industry. 8 finalists have been chosen for the LVMH award. Due to the coronavirus, there have been concerns about going through with the event but not under Anna Wintour’s control! The editor-in-chief demanded the show must go on and on Tuesday the finalists were revealed.
This year’s finalists come from an array of backgrounds from Japan to South Africa and for the first time, we have a Bulgarian finalist. Judge Anna Wintour applauds the contestants for their creativity and innovation as well as the very important aspect of consciously using sustainable fabrics.
Here are the designers to watch out for this year.
Ahluwalia
London based designer, Priya Ahluwalia showcases looks inspired by her Punjabi grandfather with looks full of colour, patchwork, and a mix match of materials used. Ahluwalia’s unique clothing gives off nostalgic 70’s menswear vibes with cuts and shapes such as high necklines, pointed collars, vests and bold blazers. The bright and bold tones and prints are also taken from the designer’s ideas on 90’s rave culture adding a more experimental aspect to her designs.
Casablanca
Confirming that London is the place to be we have another London based designer. Casablanca is the label created by French-Moroccan menswear designer Charaf Tajer. Instantly giving of french vibes the designer uses loud and bold prints juxtaposed with soft tones and fabrics. The brand exudes contemporary elegance with an added youthful swag.
Chopova Lowena
Both past Central Saint Martin’s students, Emma Chopova and Laura Lowena are definitely a duo to watch out for. Bringing her culture into the brand’s creations, Chopova incorporates fabrics made from her parent’s village in Bulgaria and lucky for us Londoners they are still both based in London. Using the fabrics from Chopova’s hometown the duo create detailed skirts, a love and speciality of the two. The skirts are a combination of fabrics and styles, they create fragmented yet perfectly interconnected masterpieces. An amazing take on traditional skirts.
Nicholas Daley
Next up is Scottish- Jamaican designer Nicholas Daley. Using both his Scottish and Jamaican heritage to inspire him, Daley uses this to create fun and playful jazzy looks. Music, particularly reggae, play a big role in Daley’s designs, his parents ran the first reggae club in Edinburgh in the ’70s, this is a clear element in his work. Daley’s work inspires me to consider how powerful it is to accept and love all aspects of our identity and how that can allow you to create something no one else could think of.
Peter Do
Switching things up to the US is New York-based designer Peter Do. Do focuses predominantly on womenswear suits, created perfectly crafted and sophisticated garments. The beauty in his craft makes it clear to see the designer has had plenty of experience, he has worked at both Céline and Derek Lam and won the LVMH graduate prize in 2014. Since then the designer has grown extensively and found his niche.
Sindiso Khumalo
All the way down to South Africa we have womenswear designer Sindiso Khumalo. Khumalo’s designs represent various interesting aspects from sustainability to afro-futurism to drawing inspiration from African royalty and history. Keeping her pieces simplistic and elegant, all aspects of the designer’s inspiration are able to shine clearly.
Supriya Lele
British-Indian designer Supriya Lele creates designs based on a transcultural experience, she ties together her British and her Indian culture into something that is modern and innovative yet still celebrates the ways cultures coming together can be something to celebrate. Lele’s designs take on a very feminine tone with shapes and fabrics boldly accentuating the female form.
Tomo Koizumi
Tomo Koizumi is a Japanese womenswear designer based in Tokyo. Influenced by the cities fast-pace and innovation Koizumi is known for his super kawaii (Japanese for cute ) cotton candy-like creations, The layering and curving of the light material creates a soft fun feminine creation. The designs radiate royal-like, powerful feminine energy without relying on showing off the female shape.
