MarquesAlmeida-Wins-the-2015-LVMH-Prize

Portuguese designers Marta Marques and Paulo Almeida of Marques’Almeida, are the recipients of the LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers for 2015.

Jury members J.W. Anderson (Loewe), Nicolas Ghesquière (Louis Vuitton), Marc Jacobs (Marc Jacobs), Karl Lagerfeld (Fendi), Humberto Leon and Carol Lim (Kenzo), Phoebe Philo (Céline), Raf Simons (Dior), Riccardo Tisci (Givenchy), and Delphine Arnault (Executive Vice-President of Louis Vuitton), Jean-Paul Claverie (advisor to Bernard Arnault) and Pierre-Yves Roussel (Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the LVMH Fashion Division) awarded Marques’Almeida with a grant of 300 000 euros and a year-long mentorship from the LVMH group. The experience will encompass invaluable technical and financial advice, as well as access to the group’s production and distribution expertise and networks. Natalie Portman honoured LVMH by presenting the trophy, designed by Jean-Michel Othoniel, to the winners.

“I would like to congratulate Marques’Almeida who impressed the jury with their technical expertise and their unique approach to working with colour and texture; and Simon Porte Jacquemus who we decided to award a special prize. The second edition of the LVMH prize once again put the spotlight on exceptional new talents and I look forward to seeing them grow in the years to come,” – said Delphine Arnault.

In recognition of the exceptional talent involved in this year’s competition, the jury decided to give a special prize to Simon Porte Jacquemus of Jacquemus. He is awarded with a grant of 150, 000 euros and a year-long mentorship from the LVMH group.

In addition to the main category, three fashion graduates have each been awarded the Graduate Prize of 10, 000 euros and a post within the LVMH group for a period of one year. The recipients for 2015 are: Matty Bovan and Gabriel Castro from Central Saint Martins, and Josh Dean from Kingston University, who will be placed at Louis Vuitton, Kenzo and Dior, respectively. Additionally, LVMH reinforces their support of emerging design talent by offering Central Saint Martins and Kingston University, both in London, a grant of 10,000 euros each in acknowledgement of their excellence.