Prélude by Kevin Germanier: A Vision for Fashion’s Brightest Future

Prélude by Kevin Germanier took centre stage at Paris Fashion Week, captivating audiences with its innovative, sustainable approach to haute couture. Presented at the prestigious LVMH headquarters, the collection stood out as one of the highlights in the city's packed fashion schedule. Known for his commitment to upcycling and bold, futuristic designs, Germanier's latest work blends environmental consciousness with high fashion, offering a fresh, visionary take on luxury. Prélude solidified Germanier’s position as a designer pushing the boundaries of creativity, making it a must-see moment of the season.

Who is Kevin Germanier?

Kevin Germanier, a Swiss designer known for his bold, joyful and avant-garde style, has rapidly emerged as one of fashion’s most exciting talents. With the use of upcycled materials, he transforms discarded textiles, beads, sequins, and other unconventional elements into vibrant, futuristic garments that exude a sense of playful extravagance. So it's no surprise that in addition to pop culture icons like Lady Gaga, Kristen Stewart and Taylor Swift, Germanier has also become a favourite among French drag queens, who walk his shows and love shining in his designs. The hosts of Drag Race France, also, often wear his dazzling, festive creations. Having honed his skills at the prestigious Central Saint Martins, Kevin made a name for himself when he joined the Louis Vuitton Men’s studio under the guidance of Kim Jones. His work for the LVLH group laid the groundwork for his reputation as a boundary-pushing designer, and his star continued to rise when he was tapped to design costumes for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, and once again for the Paris 2024 Opening and Closing Ceremonies  — seamlessly blending athleticism with haute couture on the global stage. His bold, forward-thinking approach has positioned him as a leader in sustainable luxury, where creativity meets responsibility.

Sustainability at the Core: The Prélude Collection

Kevin Germanier’s Prélude Collection for LVMH, a groundbreaking endeavour, centres on sustainability — already a driving force behind his design philosophy. Collaborating with LVMH’s innovative platforms like Nona Source and Weturn, Germanier worked with deadstock fabrics and unsold products from some of the biggest fashion houses to create stunning pieces. Nona Source, a fabric resale platform born from LVMH's intrapreneurship program, provided him with high-quality scraps, while Weturn, a startup recognised by the 2022 LVMH Innovation Award, ensured that textile waste was repurposed effectively. This circular approach shines through in standout pieces like a dazzling gown crafted entirely from repurposed sequins and a structured jacket made from luxury offcuts. With Prélude, Germanier proves that sustainability doesn’t compromise style — it amplifies it.

A New Era for Fashion: Big Brands and Young

Designers Unite
Fashion groups have always followed the creative energy of the young: the appointments of very young but very talented John Galliano and Lee McQueen to the biggest couture houses like Dior and Givenchy, is a good example, and so is the LVMH Prize initiative established in 2013. But what is interesting this time is that a big group offers a young, innovative talent like Kevin Germanier to work under his own name and gives him the resources of a global giant, working on a project together as even partners. This type of collaboration challenges traditional notions of fashion production and consumption, showing that even the largest players like LVMH can make room for fresh perspectives while taking steps toward a greener future, committing to both young creative and circular fashion. In doing so, they’re not just shaping trends — they’re shaping the future of fashion itself.

Courtesy: LVMH

Text: Editorial team