LVMH Taps Karlie Kloss

Karlie Kloss has been selected by LVMH to join its team of experts that will pre-select the 10 finalists for its 2016 LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers.

It marks another string to the Vogue cover girl's bow, who has in the last 18 months diversified her CV by setting up the Kode with Karlie scholarship (teaching young girls to learn about code) and enrolled on an independent study course at NYU.

New additions this year also include Glenda Bailey, editor-in-chief of Harper's Bazaar US; Miroslava Duma, founder of Buro24/7; Peter Philips, creative and image director of Christian Dior make-up; and the creative consultant Katherine Ross. They join a group of other industry experts who will advise the LVMH Prize jury - which is made up of creative directors of brands in the LVMH stable as well as senior directors, including Delphine Arnault, executive vice president of Louis Vuitton - on the candidates.

"The third edition of the LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers confirms the group's commitment to helping young designers," said Arnault this morning. "Much more than an award, it creates a context for an exchange of ideas and communication in which emerging talents can learn from established experts how to develop their brands and careers. It is our responsibility as leader of our industry to identify the talents of tomorrow and help them grow."

Last year, London-based fashion house Marques Almeida was named Grand Prize Winner, taking home the top prize of €300,000 and year-long mentorship, while Jacquemus - headed up by Simon Porte Jacquemus - was awarded €150,000 as well as mentoring, marking the first time the jury has bestowed a second award.

The Prize is open now to designers aged 40 and under who have produced and sold at least two women's or men's ready-to-wear collections. Finalists will be chosen at the beginning of March and a winner - or winners - will be announced in June.