And then they were eight

Today came the announcement of the eight finalists of the the 2015 LVMH Prize, which at stake are a grant of 300,000 euros and a year-long mentorship from the conglomerate's stable of fashion experts (both creatively and commercially).

The Magic 8 are:

• Arthur Arbesser, 

• Coperni by Sébastien Meyer and Arnaud Vaillant, 

• Craig Green, 

• Faustine Steinmetz, 

• Jacquemus by Simon Porte Jacquemus,

• Marques’ Almeida by Marta Marques and Paulo Almeida, 

• Off-White c/o Virgil Abloh, 

• and Vetements by a group of (seven) designers headed b Demna Gvasali.

As much as I am man-fatuated with Jacquemus and the Coperni guys (they could win this one given that Arnaud Vaillant has been actively focused on and vocal about the label's growth strategic management), I am rooting for someone whose trajectory and work I have started following since 2013: Faustine Steinmetz. 

Three things:

1. Steinmetz is into hand-weaving.
2. She and her team create the otherwise- mass-produced basic everyday pieces (e.g. a pair of jeans) from scratch, like couture.
3. Etsy-esque luxury has been shaping up as the next big thing in this commerce-driven world. Meaning: something investment-worthy.

"Five words which sum up your label?

Handmade, basic, comfortable, classic, traditional."

In the same vein as last year's instance with HBA and Miuniku as runners-up (each got a funding of a hundred thousand euros plus mentorship), a special prize is deserved by the French woman.

After the deliberation of a jury of the industry's luminaries, the winner (or winners) will be announced on May 22nd at the Louis Vuitton Foundation.