Soshiotsuki Wins LVMH Prize 2025 Honoring Japanese Heritage
In a momentous ceremony held at the Louis Vuitton Foundation in Paris, Japanese designer Soshi Otsuki was declared the winner of the prestigious LVMH Prize for 2025. This highly anticipated announcement on Wednesday celebrated Otsuki as an exciting new talent in menswear, marking the 12th year of one of fashion's richest individual awards, with the first prize garnering a substantial €300,000.
A visibly shy Otsuki expressed his gratitude, murmuring into the microphone, "Thank you to the jury, to Delphine Arnault, to LVMH and to everyone… I am very honored." His brand, Soshiotsuki, launched in 2015, stands out for its unique interpretation of Japanese heritage, seamlessly blending tradition with modern craftsmanship. As Otsuki explained in a pre-prize video, his work focuses on "blending precision, with emotion, to craft modern silhouettes," offering a distinctive perspective on Japanese DNA.
The esteemed jury, a constellation of LVMH's leading designers including Phoebe Philo, Pharrell Williams, Sarah Burton, Jonathan Anderson, Nicolas Ghesquière, and Silvia Fendi, alongside executives like Sidney Toledano and the award's originator, Dior CEO Delphine Arnault, also recognized two other exceptional talents.
The Karl Lagerfeld Prize, accompanied by a check for €150,000, was awarded to UK-born talent Steve O Smith. Smith captivated the jury with his brilliant ink-on-paper sketches, which he masterfully translates into willowy, graphic, and romantic dresses. Meanwhile, the third accolade, the Savoir-Faire Prize, went to another British creator, Torishéju Dumi. Dumi's women's and men's collections are celebrated for their dynamic, edgy grandeur, with the prize specifically created to acknowledge excellence in craftsmanship, technical innovation, and a sustainable approach within the selected brands.
The rigorous selection process for the LVMH Young Fashion Creators Award began with 20 semi-finalists who presented their ideas in Paris on March 5 and 6. A first jury of around 80 experts, comprising editors, stylists, models, and movie stars, meticulously narrowed the field down to eight finalists. These eight then presented their collections to the main jury for the final decision.
The other five remarkable finalists included French designer Alain Paul, who impressed with his inventive sculptural forms across women's, men's, and unisex collections. The duo behind All-In, Benjamin Barron from the U.S. and Bror August Vestbø from Norway, showcased women's and unisex collections featuring a fabulous frou-frou gown accessorized with giant pearl necklaces. From the Netherlands, Danial Aitouganov's Zomer, known for highly acclaimed women's shows in Paris, was also a strong contender. Italy’s Francesco Murano demonstrated his exceptional skill as a draper, while London-based Tolu Coker presented a compelling blend of African iconography and prints, coupled with bravura cutting and tailoring.
Over its 12-year history, the LVMH Prize has consistently identified and championed emerging talent, with past finalists including now-iconic names such as Jacquemus and Demna. The continuous recognition of new voices like Rachel Scott, the designer of New York brand Diotima who was recently named creative director of Proenza Schouler, further solidifies the prize's reputation as a vital incubator for fashion's future.
