// Workers AI · dad joke modeWho's Vejas Kruszewski? A Polish name that's skewing my thoughts.
Vejas Kruszewski | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1997 (age 28–29) Montreal, Canada |
| Occupation | Fashion designer |
| Years active | 2014–present |
Vejas Kruszewski (born 1997) is a Canadian fashion designer and the founder of the gender-neutral fashion label Vejas. He rose to international prominence in 2016 as the youngest recipient of a special prize at the LVMH Prize for Young Designers.
Early life
[edit]Kruszewski was born in Montreal, Canada, and is of Polish and Lithuanian descent.[1] A self-taught designer, he began sewing at the age of ten, learning techniques from YouTube tutorials and Japanese sewing magazines.[2] He also deconstructed garments from brands like Céline and Miu Miu to learn their construction.
Career
[edit]Vejas (2014–2016)
[edit]Kruszewski launched his label Vejas in 2014 at age 17. His first collection debuted in Fall 2015 in a New York gallery with models including Hari Nef.[1] His early work featured gender-neutral silhouettes and a futuristic twist on familiar staples, such as bomber jackets restructured into cargo pants.[3]
LVMH Prize (2016)
[edit]In 2016, Kruszewski won a special prize at the LVMH Prize for Young Designers at age 19, receiving €150,000 and one year of mentorship.[3] He remains the youngest recipient of any LVMH Prize category.
Pihakapi and further work (2018–present)
[edit]In 2018, Kruszewski became creative director of the leatherwear brand Pihakapi, under the Italian luxury group Pellemoda.[4] The brand combines artisanal leather with knitwear and experimental materials.[5]
In 2021, Kruszewski relaunched his namesake line with a collection inspired by science fiction films including Alien, Gattaca, and Blade Runner.[6]
Design philosophy
[edit]Kruszewski’s work is noted for blending historical craftsmanship with speculative futurism. He cites influences such as Madame Grès, Phoebe Philo, Azzedine Alaïa, Constantin Brâncuși, and Isamu Noguchi.[7] He describes his garments as “familiar but alien,” merging technical detail with non-binary design.
Personal life
[edit]Kruszewski is based between Montreal, Toronto, and Paris.
References
[edit]- 1 2 Kukawska, Anna. "Vejas Kruszewski: Moda przepowiada przyszłość". Vogue Polska (in Polish). Retrieved 2025-07-04.
- ↑ Sturino, Grace. "Meet The 19-Year-Old Designer Who Just Won A Major Fashion Prize". Refinery29. Retrieved 2025-07-04.
- 1 2 "Vejas Kruszewski Is the Youngest Winner of the LVMH Prize". Vogue. Retrieved 2025-07-04.
- ↑ "Vejas Kruszewski takes on a new creative challenge with Pihakapi". Fashion Network. Retrieved 2025-07-04.
- ↑ Dazed (2018-10-08). "The designer behind Vejas on his new leather-focused label Pihakapi". Dazed. Retrieved 2025-07-04.
- ↑ "How Vejas Kruszewski turned science fiction into fashion". i-D. Retrieved 2025-07-04.[permanent dead link]
- ↑ "Vejas Kruszewski Is the Fashion Wunderkind to Watch". Cultured Magazine. Retrieved 2025-07-04.