Satoshi Kuwata’s Setchu emerged victorious, clinching the coveted 2023 Prize for Young Designers
The man behind the Setchu brand, Satoshi Kuwata, has recently achieved a remarkable feat by winning the highly coveted LVMH Young Designers ceremony. This triumph comes with a whopping EUR 400,000 and a year-long mentorship with the esteemed professionals at luxury giant LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton.
In front of a powerhouse jury including Dior’s Maria Grazia Chiuri, Kim Jones, Louis Vuitton’s Nicolas Ghesquière, Stella McCartney, Marc Jacobs, and Loewe’s Jonathan Anderson, Gal Gadot made the announcement at the Fondation Louis Vuitton. With a chuckle, the designer accepted the award and shared, “I was a really naughty boy and my mom was really worried about me, and now I can make my mom really happy.”
The LVMH Prize has a long history of recognizing exceptional brands, such as S.S. Daley, Nensi Dojaka, Thomas Tait, Marine Serre, etc. Other renowned labels, such as Rokh, Jacquemus, and Hood by Air, have also participated in previous editions.
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In 2011, the Japanese designer’s journey began after he completed his degree in fashion design from Central Saint Martins in London. Working alongside some of the biggest names in the industry, such as Kanye West, Gareth Pugh, and Givenchy’s workshops, he gained invaluable experience that have propelled his career. After his stint as the Design Director for Edun in New York, he went on to become the Creative Director for Golden Goose. And now, he has launched his very own venture, Setchu, in Milan.
Kuwata’s designs are nothing short of excellent works of art. With a captivating minimalist allure and a striking fusion of shapes, colors, and sizes, they effortlessly merge two unique realms. And with a masterful touch, he seamlessly infuses Japanese and Western influences into his ensembles, creating a truly unique style that bridges the gap between the past and present.
Italian designer Luca Magliano was also awarded the prestigious Karl Lagerfeld Special Jury Prize during the ceremony, alongside Ukrainian designer Julie Pelipas. Xin Liu presented the award, which included a prize of EUR 200,000 and an exclusive one-year mentorship program.
Featured Image: MARCO BERTOLI (via Instagram)
Photos: LVMH PRIZE and SETCHU (via Instagram)
