If there’s one thing the fashion world loves, it’s a rising star. Enter the LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers, a competition that has been spotting and supporting the industry’s next big names since 2013. Open to designers aged 18 to 40 who’ve already launched at least two collections; the competition comes with a €400,000 cash injection and a mentorship from LVMH’s top executives covering everything from marketing to sustainable practices. Past winners include heavy hitters like Marine Serre and Thebe Magugu, proving that this award is a serious launchpad for global success.
This year’s shortlist is stacked with talent from all over the world, but what has us really talking is the trio of Middle Eastern designers who made the cut. Representing Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, and Egypt, these visionaries are bringing bold perspectives, cultural depth, and impeccable craftsmanship to the global stage. Let’s meet them.
KML
Founders: Ahmed and Razan Hassan (Saudi Arabia)
Founded by siblings Ahmed and Razan Hassan, this brand is all about clean lines, sharp tailoring, and an effortlessly cool aesthetic. Recently, KML got a major style endorsement when celebrity stylist Law Roach rocked one of their pieces at Elie Saab’s ‘1001 Seasons’ showcase in Riyadh. By blending Arab heritage with global design sensibilities, KML is proving that the Gulf’s fashion scene is more dynamic than ever.
Renaissance Renaissance:
Founder: Cynthia Merhej (Lebanon)
If anyone understands the art of blending past and present, it’s Cynthia Merhej. A third-generation couturier, she grew up in her mother’s Beirut atelier, absorbing the intricacies of garment-making before studying at Central Saint Martins and the Royal College of Art. She later returned to Lebanon to launch Renaissance Renaissance, a label that reimagines occasionwear through a contemporary lens.
Her designs feel both delicate and powerful, with intricate craftsmanship that pays homage to tradition while pushing boundaries. Each collection tells a story, unfolding like a novel where elegance, innovation, and heritage coexist. If that weren’t impressive enough, she also designed the costumes for the upcoming film adaptation of Bonjour Tristesse, starring Chloë Sevigny.
Yasmin Mansour
Founder: Yasmin Mansour (Egypt)
In a region where luxury womenswear has often been dominated by European brands, Yasmin Mansour carved out her own lane. Launched in 2014, her eponymous brand was one of Qatar’s first luxury womenswear labels, setting a new standard for contemporary Arab fashion.
Mansour’s pieces are nothing short of sculptural art featuring structural silhouettes, intricate embroidery, and avant-garde details that come together to create one-of-a-kind statement pieces. Her debut collection, ‘Sierra,’ featured embroidered capes inspired by undulating landscapes, proving that her vision extends far beyond conventional couture.
With a recent win at the Fashion Trust Arabia Prize (2024) and now a spot on the LVMH shortlist, Mansour’s star is rising fast. Her designs celebrate femininity with an edge, giving Arab women—and the global fashion scene—something entirely fresh.
The LVMH Prize semi-finalists will present their latest collections on March 5 and 6 during Paris Fashion Week, where industry heavyweights will decide who moves forward.
ALSO READ: HONOR & CELEBRATE SAUDI FOUNDING DAY WITH OUR SPECIALLY-CURATED GREEN EDIT.
