In the fourth annual LVMH Prize, finalists from Japan, Europe and USA will battle it out for €300,000 (Dh1.2 million) winnings and a year-long mentorship.
A record-breaking 1,200 people applied from all over the world.
Cecilie Bahnsen, who takes inspiration from traditional craft techniques like quilting, patchwork and embroidery, is the first Danish designer to make the final.
She was shortlisted by a panel of 45 experts – including designers, buyers, editors, photographers and models Karlie Kloss and Kendall Jenner – at a showcase during Paris Fashion Week.
“This was a really important moment, and putting together that presentation was a bit of a labour of love,” says Bahnsen. “I especially enjoyed the conversation I had with Nicolas Ghesquière [of Louis Vuitton].”
Looking ahead to the final, she says is nervous, but also excited.
“Being part of this process has been really eye opening and really positive,” she says.
Other finalists include Yoon Ahn – a Korean-American designer based in Tokyo who designs unisex collections under the name of Ambush; Kozaburo Akasaka – a Japanese menswear designer in New York; two French womenswear designers, Antonin Tron (fashion label Atlein) and Marine Serre.
Russia’s Maria Kazakova, who runs her Jahnkoy menswear label in New York, had to talk the panel through her collection via Skype on an iPad as her lawyer had advised her not to leave the United States because of visa issues.
The UK’s Molly Goddard, known for her voluminous tulle dresses, meanwhile, submitted footage from her London fashion show – a dinner party setting for her models – to show off her clothes.
She says the process of elimination to get to the finals has proven very valuable.
“Getting constructive feedback really made me think about my aims and achievements in a new and challenging way,” she says.
“I am very nervous about the big finale. I get nervous when public speaking so I’m hoping I don’t mess up.”
artslife@thenational.ae
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COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
Dubai works towards better air quality by 2021
Dubai is on a mission to record good air quality for 90 per cent of the year – up from 86 per cent annually today – by 2021.
The municipality plans to have seven mobile air-monitoring stations by 2020 to capture more accurate data in hourly and daily trends of pollution.
These will be on the Palm Jumeirah, Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, Rashidiyah, Al Wasl, Al Quoz and Dubai Investment Park.
“It will allow real-time responding for emergency cases,” said Khaldoon Al Daraji, first environment safety officer at the municipality.
“We’re in a good position except for the cases that are out of our hands, such as sandstorms.
“Sandstorms are our main concern because the UAE is just a receiver.
“The hotspots are Iran, Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq, but we’re working hard with the region to reduce the cycle of sandstorm generation.”
Mr Al Daraji said monitoring as it stood covered 47 per cent of Dubai.
There are 12 fixed stations in the emirate, but Dubai also receives information from monitors belonging to other entities.
“There are 25 stations in total,” Mr Al Daraji said.
“We added new technology and equipment used for the first time for the detection of heavy metals.
“A hundred parameters can be detected but we want to expand it to make sure that the data captured can allow a baseline study in some areas to ensure they are well positioned.”
THE SPECS
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Transmission: Seven-speed auto
Power: 165hp
Torque: 241Nm
Price: Dh99,900 to Dh134,000
On sale: now
The specs
Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
Power: 150hp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: From Dh139,000
On sale: Now
