Get to know Vejas, the only Canadian (and youngest) finalist for this year’s LVMH prize

Never heard of Vejas Kruszewski? You might want to pay attention.

The 19-year-old Toronto-based designer is currently the only Canadian among the eight finalists for the prestigious Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH) Prize this year.

Launched in 2013, the prize was created to “honour and support young fashion designers around the world.” Past winners have included fellow Canadian, Thomas Tait and Portuguese brand, Marques’Almeida, with special prizes awarded to Jacquemus, Hood by Air and Miuniku. The competition is open to any designer under the age of 40, who has produced at least two collections. Winners receive a grant of €300,000 and a year of support with things like sourcing, production and distribution, image and advertising and marketing.

ALSO SEE: Fashion’s Greatest Stars Come Out For the LVMH Prize Finalists

Cash value aside, it’s really the judges that give this competition it’s allure. Even for those designers who don’t win, their collections go before some of the biggest names in the fashion industry. The impressive roster includes designers and creative directors J.W Anderson, Marc Jacobs, Karl Lagerfeld (Chanel), Nicolas Ghesquière (Louis Vuitton), Phoebe Philo (Celine), Ricardo Tisci (Givenchy), Humberto Leon and Carol Lim (Kenzo).

So who the heck is Vejas?

Look him up and you’ll find this mysterious quote, “….“the morality of plump skin and healthy bodies, the uniformity of laid- back stances, and lips that redundantly pronounce individual lifestyle preferences.”

ALSO SEE: Hood By Air’s New ‘Killer’ Accessory Was Inspired By Cookie Lyon

The self-taught designer launched his label last year, showing at New York Fashion Week. In an interview with Dazed Digital, he claims he started sewing at age 10, and by age 16 he was selling his clothing online. Born in Montreal, Vejas moved to Toronto so that he could travel more easily to New York – he apparently has been making weekly trips on the Megabus.

While the winner will be announced until June 16, Vejas is just happy to be part of the process.

“At this point I am just honoured to be recognized by such a prestigious organization, and humbled by the support from the panel and the community,” Kruszewski told The Globe and Mail. “It’s a huge vote of confidence, and I welcome the opportunity to show our work on a broader platform.”

Click through the gallery above see some Vejas creations and let us know your thoughts by tweeting to @YahooStyleCA.