By: Poelano Malema
Congratulations are in order for South African designer Lukhanyo Mdingi.
The young designer from East London was announced as the joint winner of the special Karl Lagerfeld Prize. He won alongside Brooklyn-based designer Colm Dillane and Chinese designer Rui Zhou.
The three winners walked away with €150,000 (approximately R2.5m) and a one-year mentorship.
READ: Young South African designers to watch
Mdingi took to Instagram to celebrate his big win.
“We met the moment,” he captioned his post.
“It’s an incredible honour to represent Nicholas’s legacy with respect and sincerity. I’ll forever be grateful to the support of Lindsay, Emma and Mick Coutts – your son and brothers presence will never wane,” he wrote on Instagram.
He thanked God for his prize and said it is for his homies.
“Siyakudumisa Thixo siya kuvuma ukuba unguYehova Umhlaba wonke ubedesha wena uYise ongunaphakade Zonke ingelosi zimemeza kuwe. Kwanezulu nawo onke amandla akulo.
“This is for all the homies that have been there since day one – you know who you are. I got you. Always,” he wrote on IG.
This is not the first time Mdingi has been recognised on the international stage. He was also a finalist in the Elle Rising Star Design Award.
Check out some of his designs below.
Image courtesy of YouTube screenshot.



