Meet The Global Fashion Talents Nominated For The LVMH Prize

Susan Fang

Growing up between China, Canada, England and the US, Fang focuses on mathematics as the main source of her inspiration for creating her intricate weaved pieces. Insisting that patterns are complex and precise, Fang creates unique garments that can stretch to accommodate a range of body types, even creating her own tools each season to knit the pieces.

@susanfangofficial

Kenneth Ize

Lagos is currently the cultural hub of fashion and skateboarding and hailing from the Nigerian city is designer Kenneth Ize, who is right at the forefront of it. As a graduate of the University of Applied Arts in Vienna, his colourful handwoven suits have become his signature pieces and has already had his garments worn by the likes of Naomi Campbell and Childish Gambino. Using traditional Nigerian weaving which is a craft well at risk of fading away, Ize expresses that technique paramount and plans to foster a community of craftspeople.

@kennethize

Duran Lantink

The Dutch designer behind the iconic pink vulva pants that have been showcased by Janelle Monae has curated a unique approach to sustainable fashion. Entirely made from rework garments from season sales, Lantink has expressed a playful take on upcycling by merging together textile from different brands such as gluing together Balenciaga boots inside Miu Miu heels. Lantink also wants to spread awareness to communities beyond the fashion worlds such as transgender sex workers in Cape Town.

@duranlantinkyo

Caroline Hu

Having been inspired by her fathers painting abilities and her art teacher in her creative development, the New York based designer creates dresses heavily inspired by Renaissance masterpieces. Enrapturing vivid bursts of color and layered fabrics and smocks, her pieces include over 20 different materials but remain seamlessly lightweight. After her NYFW debut where models sat painting in front of easels or reading, Hu hopes to continue growing the business side of the brand as well as the artistic one.

@carolineqiqi

Kanghyuk

Having two pairs of hands is always useful in starting a fashion label. Designers Choi Kanghyuk and Sanglak Shon met when they became friends at the Royal College of Art where they began to develop their brand. Their design process focuses on utilising materials in their purest form whilst also looking into mass produced taste in real life. Through unpicking fabric by hand, their technical pieces are aesthetically strong and has earnt them installations at Comme des Garçons Trading Museum and Dover Street Market.

@_kanghyuk