Meet the Middle Eastern Designers Shortlisted for the 2025 LVMH Prize

The LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers has long been a launchpad for emerging talent, highlighting designers who are shaping the future of fashion. Now in its 12th year, the 2025 edition continues this legacy with a highly competitive field—2,300 designers from across the globe applied, each vying for a place on one of the industry’s most prestigious platforms.

From thousands of applicants, 20 semi-finalists from 15 countries remain. Among them, three designers from the Arab world - Cynthia Merhej (Lebanon), Yasmin Mansour (Egypt & Qatar), Ahmed and Razan Hassan (Saudi Arabia) - are gaining attention.

On March 5th and 6th, these designers will present their collections in Paris, competing before the public and a panel of industry leaders. The LVMH Prize winner receives a EUR 400,000 grant and a year of mentorship. The Karl Lagerfeld Prize runner-up is awarded EUR 200,000 and mentorship, while the Savoir-Faire Prize grants EUR 200,000 and mentorship to a designer specializing in craftsmanship.