Julie Kegels Takes Top Honors at 2026 LVMH Prize

Belgian designer Julie Kegels has been named winner of the 2026 LVMH Prize for Young Designers, claiming the top honor at a ceremony held at the Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris on Friday. The Antwerp-based talent stood out among 2,400 applicants, securing a grand prize of 400,000 euros along with a year of mentorship from specialists across LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, the group behind brands such as Dior, Louis Vuitton and Sephora. Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Lawrence presented the award, drawing laughs after a slip of the tongue during her introduction.

Runner-Up and Craft Prizes Awarded

Chinese designer Zane Li, founder of the label Lii, earned the runner-up Karl Lagerfeld Special Jury Prize, worth 200,000 euros and a year of business guidance. Kenyan designer Anil Padia, the first from his country to compete in the prize’s history, won the Savoir-Faire Prize with his label Yoshita 1967, which draws on a network of artisans in Nairobi.

A Designer Balancing Art and Business

Known for playful, surrealist-tinged designs that reimagine everyday wardrobe staples, Kegels trained under Antwerp Six alumni Walter Van Beirendonck and Dirk Van Saene. Her label, founded in 2024, is now stocked in 38 stores worldwide, with online sales climbing 85 percent over the past year. LVMH’s Delphine Arnault praised Kegels for presenting a complete design vision spanning bags, shoes and ready-to-wear, calling her one of the standout performers among this year’s finalists in terms of business turnover. All three winners cited hiring additional staff and easing cash-flow pressure as immediate priorities following the win.