Julie Kegels Wins 2026 LVMH Prize; Lii and Yoshita 1967 Also Honored

On Friday, Belgian designer Julie Kegels received the prestigious 2026 LVMH Prize at the Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris, with actress Jennifer Lawrence presenting the accolade. Kegels, celebrated for her work on feminine identity, was awarded a €400,000 cash prize along with a year of tailored mentorship from LVMH specialists. A jury that featured notable figures such as Jonathan Anderson, Phoebe Philo, and Pharrell Williams evaluated the nine finalists' collections. The Karl Lagerfeld Prize for Innovation was given to Zane Li, a designer from New York's Lii label, presented by Priyanka Chopra Jonas. Li, originally from Chongqing, China, and a Fashion Institute of Technology alumnus, received €200,000 and mentorship. Anil Padia of Yoshita 1967 earned the Savoir-Faire Prize, awarded by Thai actress Urassaya Sperbund, making him the first Kenyan finalist to win this honor, which also includes €200,000 and mentorship. This prize, introduced in 2024, highlights the luxury sector's commitment to craftsmanship.