The 35-year-old Clare native, who is based in London, was awarded the Savoir-Faire Prize at the 2024 LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers that took place in Paris on September 10.

Michael was presented with the award by the actress Ana de Armas and will receive €200,000, a one-year mentorship by a team of LVMH experts, as well as €50,000 of embellishments for his upcoming collection. He will also enjoy support from the LVMH Métiers d’Excellence through a collaboration with Maison Vermont, the embroidery specialist.

 The Savoir-Faire Prize is newly launched this year and is awarded by the jury to a brand whose "commitment to craftsmanship, sustainability or innovation" reflects the values of LVMH. They chose Standing Ground as the winner saying it is "a brand whose majestic designs display great technical expertise".

Michael only launched his womenswear brand Standing Ground in 2021 and has already carved out a reputation as a creative force with a singular vision and a technical mastery in the traditional art of draping.

He graduated with a BA from the Limerick School of Art and Design in 2013 and then completed a Masters at the Royal Academy of Art in London. It was there he learned the art of draping from 'an amazing pattern cutting tutor' and previously said: "I was really keen on draping, and I draped for two years. That's all I did."

As a fashion designer, his designs are deceptively simple, elemental, and timeless or what Michael refers to as 'atemporal'.

He has won over a host of celebrity admirers including Imaan Hammam and Salma Hayek who wore a heavenly white draped gown to the El Sabor de la Navidad premiere at the 2023 Toronto Film Festival.

Speaking on the red carpet, the actress praised Standing Ground, saying her dress designer was Irish and said: "I hope that everybody loves my dress because I think he’s very, very talented."

It certainly sounds like Standing Ground is a brand to watch!

* This article was originally published on Evoke.ie.