H&M Design Award 2026: Meet the Eight Finalists

Eight Rising Stars Compete for the H&M Design Award 2026

H&M has revealed the eight finalists for its revived Design Award, marking a significant return after a six-year pause. The emerging designers, hailing from leading fashion schools across Tokyo, London, Paris, Antwerp, Brussels and Florence, were chosen from bachelor’s and master’s programmes at more than 70 institutions worldwide. Each finalist receives €10,000 to support their next career step, with the overall winner set to be announced in London later this year.

The finalists represent a diverse range of creative visions, spanning womenswear, menswear and designs that blur the boundaries between both. Their inspirations are equally varied—from love, memory and a mother’s story to the overlooked streets of London and Hong Kong, as well as archaeology and the Arte Povera art movement.

The Finalists

• Chico Yu (Bunka Fashion Graduate University, Tokyo)
• Ennis Finnerty Mackay and Macy Grimshaw (Central Saint Martins, London)
• Evelina Kryvopust (Polimoda, Florence)
• Fantin Delattre Pirenne (La Cambre, Brussels)
• Jessica Lin (Institut Français de la Mode, Paris)
• Yichun Liu and Yvonne Schichtel (Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp)

Ann-Sofie Johansson, creative advisor at H&M, expressed her enthusiasm: “Selecting this year’s finalists was truly exciting. Each of their portfolios captures the exact spirit of creativity, craftsmanship and innovation that we wanted to champion with the relaunch of the award. Having them meet such a prestigious jury means they will be seen, challenged and supported by people who have shaped the industry themselves.”

A Prestigious Jury of Industry Leaders

Joining Johansson (who also serves as head of design at H&M) on the jury are model Paloma Elsesser; Beka Gvishiani of Style Not Com; IB Kamara, former editor-in-chief of Dazed; fashion journalist Luke Leitch; and creative director Calum Knight. They are also joined by designers Emma Chopova and Laura Lowena of London-based label Chopova Lowena, and Hillary Taymour, founder of New York-based Collina Strada.

This accomplished panel will select the winner, who will receive €150,000 and a one-year tailored mentorship covering production, marketing, public relations, sustainability and circularity. In addition, the winning collection will be produced and sold in selected H&M stores worldwide and online.

New Scholarship Programme at Central Saint Martins

A notable addition this year is a scholarship programme at Central Saint Martins, part of the University of the Arts London. Designed to make fashion education more accessible, it will fund two UK or international students accepted onto the bachelor’s degree in fashion across all three years of their studies. Furthermore, two final-year students will receive an annual living-cost grant for three years.

By relaunching the award after its six-year hiatus, H&M aims to give emerging talent a strong start and bring their fresh ideas to a wider audience. The finalists’ work will be showcased in London later this year, where the winner will be revealed.