Swedish Designer Ellen Hodakova Larsson Wins LVMH Prize

At the eleventh edition of the LVMH Prize for emerging fashion designers, held on September 10 at the Louis Vuitton Foundation in Paris, Ellen Hodakova Larsson, a 32-year-old designer from Sweden, triumphed with her imaginative and sustainable fashion creations. Her brand, Hodakova, features pieces made from upcycled materials, including a dress fashioned from spoons and another from woven recycled belts. As the winner, she will receive €400,000 and a year of tailored mentorship from LVMH.

Hodakova, who launched her label in 2021 and has been showcasing at Paris Fashion Week since 2022, grew up in rural Sweden, where her experiences with nature sparked her curiosity and creativity. Her work centers on upcycling, turning items that would otherwise be discarded into striking fashion pieces. While her craftsmanship and attention to detail are widely praised, some note that her designs don’t break entirely new ground in terms of aesthetic innovation.

Among the standout items presented to the jury were a metallic gown constructed from spoons, a dress made of braided belts, and a skirt created from inverted trousers. Her approach is reminiscent of Demna Gvasalia’s work at Balenciaga, but with its own refined execution. Maria Grazia Chiuri, Dior’s Artistic Director and a jury member, remarked on Larsson’s success in showing the commercial viability of upcycling.

Aside from Larsson, two other designers were recognized: Dutch designer Duran Lantink received the Karl Lagerfeld Special Prize, while Irish designer Michael Stewart of Standing Ground won the newly created Craftsmanship Prize. Both were awarded €200,000 and a year of mentoring.

The finalists of the 2024 edition represented the industry’s growing emphasis on ecological innovation and artisanal techniques, with a focus on reinventing form.