Meet the Middle Eastern Designers Shortlisted for the 2025 LVMH Prize

CairoScene

19-02-2025

The designers will showcase their collections in Paris, vying for a EUR 400,000 grant for the LVMH Prize winner.
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. Renaissance Renaissance | Lebanon
Founded by third-generation couturier Cynthia Merhej, Renaissance Renaissance merges her family's rich sartorial heritage with a modern, distinctive creative vision. Since launching the label in 2016, Merhej has remained deeply connected to her roots, working alongside local artisans and family-run workshops to craft heirloom-quality pieces that celebrate craftsmanship and heritage. Yasmin Mansour | Egypt & Qatar
Since founding her namesake label in 2014, Yasmin Mansour has built a reputation for sculptural silhouettes and intricate craftsmanship that honors artisanal traditions. From her Qatar-based studio, she explores texture, pleating, and bold contrasts, shaping a design language that balances elegance with innovation. KML | Saudi Arabia
Founded in 2022 by siblings Ahmed and Razan Hassan, KML bridges the past and present through concept-driven designs rooted in historical research. With a deep appreciation for the evolution of human dress, the label reinterprets heritage through a minimalist, modern lens, creating thoughtful pieces that connect tradition with contemporary relevance.