H&M is said to have relaunched its Design Award after six years of absence, according to FashionUnited UK, which unveiled the eight finalists selected for the 2026 edition as well as the composition of the international jury tasked with naming the winner of this competition for young fashion talent.
The eight finalists were reportedly selected from among more than 70 fashion schools worldwide, across bachelor's and master's programmes. They come from institutions located in Tokyo, Londres, Paris, Anvers, Bruxelles and Florence: Chico Yu (Bunka Fashion Graduate University, Tokyo), Ennis Finnerty Mackay and Macy Grimshaw (Central Saint Martins, Londres), Evelina Kryvopust (Polimoda, Florence), Fantin Delattre Pirenne (La Cambre, Bruxelles), Jessica Lin (Institut Français de la Mode, Paris), as well as Yichun Liu and Yvonne Schichtel (Royal Academy of Fine Arts of Anvers).
Their work spans womenswear, menswear and pieces that straddle the two categories. Their sources of inspiration range from love, memory and a mother's history to the overlooked streets of Londres and Hong Kong, by way of archaeology and the Arte Povera movement.
An international jury and a scholarship at Central Saint Martins
The jury reportedly brings together, in addition to Ann-Sofie Johansson, creative advisor and head of design at H&M, Beka Gvishiani (Style Not Com), IB Kamara, former editor-in-chief of Dazed, fashion journalist Luke Leitch, creative director Calum Knight, Emma Chopova and Laura Lowena of the Londres label Chopova Lowena, as well as Hillary Taymour, founder of the New York label Collina Strada.
« Sélectionner les finalistes de cette année a été vraiment exaltant. Chacun de leurs portfolios capture exactement l'esprit de créativité, de savoir-faire et d'innovation que nous voulions mettre en avant avec la relance de ce prix », said Ann-Sofie Johansson. She added: « Les faire rencontrer un jury aussi prestigieux signifie qu'ils seront vus, challengés et soutenus par des personnes qui ont elles-mêmes façonné l'industrie. »
Each of the eight finalists is said to receive 10,000 euros to support the next stage of their career. The winner would additionally benefit from a year of tailored mentorship covering production, marketing, public relations, sustainability and circularity. A new feature this year: a scholarship programme at Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London, designed to make fashion education accessible to talented students regardless of their financial situation. Two undergraduate students, British or international, would reportedly be funded for the entirety of their three years of study.
By relaunching this award after a six-year interruption, H&M is said to be aiming to give young designers a springboard and expose their ideas to a wider audience. The winner will be named in Londres later this year, and their collection will be produced and sold in a selection of H&M stores worldwide as well as online.
