LVMH announces eight finalists for 2015 prize

This morning, LVMH announced the eight finalists to go forward to the final jury of the 2015 LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers. A shortlist of 26 designers met with 45 industry experts on March 4 and 5 in Paris, now eight chosen ones will meet in May with a stellar jury comprised of names such as Karl Lagerfeld, Raf Simons and Nicola Ghesquière. The eventual winner will be awarded a €300,000 grant and a year long mentorship – Thomas Tait took home the prize in 2014. See the finalists below:

Arthur Arbesser (Milan)

Coperni (Paris)

Craig Green (London)

Faustine Steinmetz (London)

Jacquemus (Paris)

Marques' Almeida (London)

Off-White (Paris)

Vetements (Paris)

We're proud to have three London-based designers in the final eight – Craig Green, Faustine Steinmet and Marques' Almeida – and the list overall represents a diversity of nationalities, with talent hailing from France, UK, Portugal, Austria and America.

Head of the selection committee Delphine Arnault said: "The designers who have entered the LVMH Prize 2015 have truly surprised and impressed us with their diversity, their ideas and enthusiasm. Although very young, they're all extremely talented. I wish them luck. It will be a hard task for our Jury to choose one of them. The level of the competition is so high, I have no doubt we will see some of the semi-finalists again in the years to come."

The LVMH prize is still young, only in its second year and there's a Graduates Prize available too, with applications welcome until May 3. If you're a fashion student graduating in 2015, you're eligible. Head here for more details.

See Marques’Almeida AW15 below: