LONDON — Thebe Magugu, a 26-year-old South African designer known for powerful and politicized women’s wear collections inspired by the social complexities of his home country, has won the 2019 LVMH Prize for emerging talent. He is the first African designer to be awarded the prize, the most lucrative in the industry.

The prize was presented to Mr. Magugu by the actress Alicia Vikander on Wednesday at a ceremony at the Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris. One of eight finalists for the LVMH prize, Mr. Magugu will receive 300,000 euros (about $331,000) and a year of mentoring from within the professional ranks of LVMH, the French luxury group.

Mr. Magugu’s namesake label, distinguished by its structured dresses and sharp tailoring, was founded in 2016, and all products are designed and manufactured in Johannesburg. Inspiration for recent collections has included his mother as well as a series of highly publicized femicides that have taken place in South Africa in recent years. His spring 2019 collection, called African Studies, was a tribute to his home country.

In an interview with The New York Times earlier this year, Mr. Magugu said his aim was “to create an African brand with truly international implications.”