Julie Kegels wins the 2026 LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers

Belgian designer Julie Kegels has won the 13th LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers. The award, presented at the Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris, includes a €400,000 endowment and one year of mentorship from LVMH experts.

Kegels, whose Antwerp-based womenswear label launched in 2024, was recognized for her sculptural silhouettes and her ability to articulate a clear vision for her clientele. Delphine Arnault, the prize founder and Dior CEO, noted that this year's jury focused heavily on production, distribution, and the designer's understanding of their end customer.

Other notable winners include Zane Li of the label Lii, who received the Karl Lagerfeld Special Jury Prize for his minimalist sportswear-meets-couture aesthetic. The jury for this year's competition included prominent industry figures such as Pharrell Williams, Maria Grazia Chiuri, and Nicolas Ghesquière.