LVMH Prize finalist develops own leathers
One of the eight brands chosen for this year’s LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers (LVMH Prize) final has revealed how developing its own leathers, prints and textures is central to its creative process.
In a video clip posted to social media, the designers behind London-based luxury womenswear label Knwls, Charlotte Knowles (from the UK) and partner Alexandre Arsenault (Canada), discussed how their spring-summer 2022 collection included bespoke leather development, involving “unique” leathers specially distressed in various colours.
French lambskin, calfskin and shearling all feature prominently and have each been deliberately worked on to appear “tarnished and lived-in”, Mr Arsenault said of the range, which encompasses leather jackets, trousers, gloves, handbags and footwear alongside various knits and silk scarves.
In addition to Knwls, the other seven LVMH Prize finalists are: Ashlyn (South Korea), Erl (US), Róisín Pierce (Ireland), Ryunosukeokazaki (Japan), SS Daley (UK), Tokyo James (Nigeria) and Winnie New York (US). The winner will receive €300,000 ($317,000) and LVMH mentorship.
Designers Jonathan Anderson, Maria Grazia Chiuri, Nicolas Ghesquière, Kim Jones, Nigo, Silvia Venturini Fendi and Stella McCartney are among the creatives who will select the ultimate winner, with input from LVMH advisors and executives Delphine Arnault, Jean-Paul Claverie and Sidney Toledano.
Final judging will take place on June 2 at the Louis Vuitton Foundation in Paris.
Image: Knwls.
