H&M Design Award Returns for 2026, Revealing Finalists and International Jury

Today, H&M reveals the eight finalists of the H&M Design Award 2026 and the jury who will choose the winner. Each finalist will receive a €10,000 endowment to support the next step in their careers. Bringing together perspectives from across fashion, this year’s jury—Paloma Elsesser, Beka Gvishiani, IB Kamara, Luke Leitch, Calum Knight, Emma Chopova and Laura Lowena, Hillary Taymour and Ann-Sofie Johansson—will assess the finalists’ collections before the winner is revealed in London later this year.

The eight finalists come from schools across Tokyo, London, Paris, Antwerp, Brussels and Florence, working in womenswear, menswear and designs that cross both. Their inspirations range from love and memory to London’s overlooked streets, Hong Kong and a mother’s story, the Arte Povera movement, and archeology. Together, their collections show exceptional range, craft and personal voice.

“Selecting this year’s finalists has been genuinely exciting. Each of their portfolios capture exactly the spirit of creativity, craftsmanship and innovation we set out to champion when we relaunched the award. And pairing them with such a distinguished jury means they’ll be seen, challenged and supported by people who have shaped the industry themselves,” says Ann-Sofie Johansson, Creative Advisor at H&M.

“The finalists have each brought something personal and distinctive to their work. Supporting designers at this early stage matters, and I’m proud to be on this year’s jury for the H&M Design Award,” says IB Kamara, Stylist, Creative director and imagemaker.

The finalists were selected from BA and MA programs at more than 70 leading fashion schools worldwide, with their portfolios showing exceptional creativity, craftsmanship and innovation. The overall winner of the H&M Design Award will receive a €150,000 endowment and a year-long tailored mentorship, covering production, marketing and PR, and sustainability and circularity, with their collection produced and sold in selected H&M stores worldwide and online.

For 2026, the H&M Design Award is launching a scholarship programme at Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London to help talented students pursue fashion education, regardless of their financial circumstances. Two UK or international students accepted onto the BA (Hons) Fashion course will receive support throughout their three-year studies, while two final-year students will receive maintenance scholarships annually for three years.

Together, these initiatives build on the H&M Design Award’s longstanding commitment to supporting the next generation of designers. Returning after a six-year hiatus, the award aims to give emerging talent a meaningful start and bring their ideas to a wider audience. By producing and selling the winner’s collection, H&M will make new creative talent accessible to customers around the world, in keeping with its mission of bringing fashion to the many.

For more information about H&M Design Award 2026, visit designaward.hm.com

Follow @hmdesignaward on Instagram for the latest updates and content.

This year’s finalists:

Chico Yu Bunka Fashion Graduate University, Japan

Ennis Finnerty Mackay CSM, Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London, UK

Evelina Kryvopust Polimoda, Italy

Fantin Delattre Pirenne École Nationale Superieure des Arts Visuels da La Cambre, Belgium

Jessica Lin IFM, Institute Francais de la Mode, France

Macy Grimshaw CSM, Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London, UK

Yichun Liu Royal Academy of Antwerp, Belgium

Yvonne Schichtel Royal Academy of Antwerp, Belgium

This year’s jury:

Ann-Sofie Johansson
Creative Advisor & Head of Design at H&M
With more than three decades at H&M, Ann-Sofie has helped define the brand’s designs, from its everyday collections to guest collaborations.

Beka Gvishiani
@STYLENOTCOM, Founder, STYLE NOT COM
Beka’s STYLE NOT COM has become one of fashion’s most talked-about sources of news and commentary.

Calum Knight
Creative director and digital strategist
Based in London, Calum has led creative projects for SHOWstudio and brands including H&M.

Emma Chopova and Laura Lowena
Fashion designers, Chopova Lowena
Emma and Laura are the founders and designers of Chopova Lowena, the London-based label known for their folklore-meets-punk style.

Hillary Taymour
Fashion designer, Collina Strada
Hillary is the founder and creative director of Collina Strada, the New York-based fashion label built around sustainable materials.

IB Kamara
Stylist, creative director and imagemaker
IB led Dazed as editor-in-chief, and worked for British Vogue, Vogue Italia, System and W.

Luke Leitch
Fashion journalist
Luke is a leading fashion journalist and critic, writing for Vogue Runway and Vogue Business.

Paloma Elsesser Supermodel & Body Advocate Paloma is one of the most recognisable faces today, from Vogue covers to global campaigns, and a leading voice in the industry.