Middle Eastern Designers Take Over the 2025 LVMH Prize—Meet the Trailblazers!

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The 2025 LVMH Prize semi-finalists have been announced, and guess what? The Middle East is stealing the spotlight! Designers from Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, and Egypt are among the 20 emerging talents competing in this prestigious fashion competition. These creatives are bringing their unique vision, cultural heritage, and next-level craftsmanship to the global stage. And on March 5 and 6, they’ll showcase their latest collections in Paris.

Let’s take a closer look at the Arab designers making waves this year.

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What Is the LVMH Prize?

Before we dive into the talent, here’s a quick breakdown:

One of the world's most prominent fashion contests is the LVMH Prize. Established by the luxury behemoth LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy), the award receives more than 2,300 applications annually.

The competition offers three major awards, with prizes ranging from €10,000 to €400,000, plus mentorship from industry leaders. In short, it’s a career-defining moment for any designer.

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Yasmin Mansour (Egypt) – Bold, Feminine, and Sustainable

Yasmin Mansour, an Egyptian designer located in Qatar, is well-known in the fashion industry. She began creating high-end clothing with a distinctly Arab flair in 2014 when she launched her own line. She brings sustainability to high fashion with her sculptural, edgy designs that combine repurposed materials, distinctive fabric layering, and ultra-feminine embellishments.

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And the industry is taking notice.

• She won the Fashion Trust Arabia Prize in 2024
• Farida Khelfa and Natalia Vodianova have rocked her pieces
• A Paris Couture Week dinner was held in her honor, attended by Giambattista Valli and Gaia Repossi

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With a résumé like that, it’s no wonder she’s one of this year’s most exciting contenders.

Ahmed and Razan Hassan (Saudi Arabia) – Reviving Menswear with KML

The creative force behind KML, a menswear brand that blends historical elements with elegant, contemporary tailoring, is the Saudi brother and sister team of Ahmed and Razan Hassan.

Founded in 2022, KML is all about sharp cuts, minimalist aesthetics, and cultural storytelling. The label is already making waves, with celebrity stylist Law Roach sporting their designs at Elie Saab’s “1001 Seasons” showcase in Riyadh.

With their innovative approach, KML is proving that menswear is anything but boring.

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Cynthia Merhej (Lebanon) – The Visionary Behind Renaissance Renaissance

Lebanese designer Cynthia Merhej is back for another round! After competing in the 2021 LVMH Prize, her brand Renaissance Renaissance is once again turning heads.

Merhej's creations offer a new, contemporary take on femininity. Imagine: effortless elegance, nostalgic accents, and elegant silhouettes. She is also the costume designer for the upcoming Bonjour Tristesse movie, which stars Chloë Sevigny, if you need more evidence of her burgeoning fame.

Her work is a perfect blend of old-world charm and contemporary sophistication—and the world is loving it.

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Middle Eastern Fashion Is Taking Over

It's hardly surprising that these designers are upending the fashion industry given their immense talent. These Middle Eastern designers are demonstrating that fashion knows no bounds with their innovative couture and reimagined menswear.

Keep an eye on these names—because they’re just getting started!

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