TOMODACHI-UNIQLO Fellowship Alumnus Kozaburo Akasaka Receives the 2017 LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers

On June 16, 2017, TOMODACHI-UNIQLO Fellowship alumnus Mr. Kozaburo (Kopi) Akasaka was chosen as the Special Prize Winner of the LVMH Prize. Kopi was selected from a total of 1,200 international applicants from approximately 90 countries. He attended Parsons The New School for Design as a TOMODACHI-UNIQLO Fellowship scholar from 2014 to 2016.

Launched in 2013, the LVMH Prize was created to honor and support young fashion designers worldwide. Every year, one young designer and three graduates from fashion schools receive the LVMH Prize. This year’s decision was made by a jury of prominent industry figures and designers, including J.W. Anderson (Loewe), Nicolas Ghesquière (Louis Vuitton), Karl Lagerfeld (Fendi), Humberto Leon and Carol Lim (Kenzo), Phoebe Philo (Céline), Delphine Arnault (Executive Vice-President of Louis Vuitton), Jean-Paul Claverie (advisor to Bernard Arnault) and Pierre-Yves Roussel (Chairman and Chief Executive Officer LVMH Fashion Group).

The LVMH Prize is one of the most prestigious prizes for young fashion designers. This year, world-famous singer and fashion designer Rihanna attended the awards ceremony and presented the trophies to the winners. The Special Prize Winner includes a 150,000 euro grant and a yearlong mentorship with the LVMH group. The official website of the LVMH Prize describes Kopi as the following:

“His academic and professional background always prevails when it comes to consideration of quality of garments, fits and finishing which is grounded in his tailoring skill. Timeless design of classic men’s apparel is at the core of his aesthetic. The juxtaposition of high fashion and street culture has come to define the uniquely poetic and contemporary – yet not temporary – style of KOZABURO.”

For more information about Kopi’s work, click here.