Yu Prize 2022 Finalists
The Yu Prize, now in its second year, was set up by investor, entrepreneur and philanthropist Wendy Yu in association with Shanghai Fashion Week and the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode as an annual initiative to boost and support the careers of the most promising and pioneering Chinese fashion talents.
Yu Prize jury members, who include Iris van Herpen, Michael Ward, Madame Lu, Mary Katrantzou, Pascal Morand, Renzo Rosso, Sarah Mower, Sara Sozzani Maino, Tasha Liu, Xuan Feng and Xiao Xue, reviewed the creative assignment submissions in tandem with the designers’ applications. The judging process continues in Shanghai where the jury will gather (in person and virtually) to reach a final decision on the finalists.
The 10 YU Prize 2022 finalists are:
ALIENANT
CHAN CHIT LO
DIDU
LOUIS SHENGTAO CHEN
MARRKNUL
PONDER.ER
PRIVATE POLICY
RUOHAN
YIRANTIAN
ZI II CI IEN
Wendy Yu, Founder of the Yu Prize, stated. “We want to make the Yu Prize as relevant to real life as possible, helping designers to build powerful industry connections as well as gain access to commercial opportunities. Our partners and their platforms are crucial in providing this added level of strategic value for participating designers. I’m thrilled that our 10 finalists will not only gain recognition, but also have the chance to collaborate with established brands and pioneering companies such as Li-Ning.” For the final stage of the competition, the 10 finalists are required to create two looks – one conceptual look and one commercial look inspired by the theme “Soaring Aspirations”; dreams of flying high and the continued exploration of possibility in the past, present and future.
The finalists will present their looks together with production samples for assessment and scoring in person at the Yu Prize jury presentation day on 15th March, which will take place at The Harrods Residence in Shanghai and on Zoom. The Yu Prize 2022 Grand Winner and select finalists will be chosen accordingly and will benefit from the development of a capsule collaboration with the Chinese leader in athletic apparel and footwear Li-Ning, which will launch in store and online later this year as part of the Li-Ning’s annual collections and marketing campaign.
The Yu Prize 2022 Grand Award Winner and Collaboration Award Winners will be announced during Shanghai Fashion Week at the Yu Prize Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner.