Dutch designers win the European final for the International Woolmark Prize

Dutch designers Jonathan Christopher and Nanna Blaaderen were named the winners of the 2015/2014 International Woolmark Prize regional finals for Europe during an event held in Antwerp on Monday. Jonathan Christopher was hailed as the winner of the men's wear category and Nanna Blaaderen the winner of the women's wear category.

"I had no idea I would win. Nobody had any idea. You have no expectation of what the jury is looking for, or expects," said Christopher to FashionUnited NL on winning. "I think I eventually won, because I want to take the use of wool in a completely new direction. I used wol denim and that was quite difficult to find. I must have placed about eighty or ninety calls to different wool suppliers and denim suppliers."

"You feel like you are walking on clouds when you are here," added Blaaderen. "It was a great honor to be nominated, so the atmosphere was quite pleasent and grateful. I told myself a few times to really enjoy this moment because you are unlikely to experience it all again."

The two winners were both awarded 50,000 Australian dollars (24,500 pounds) to further develop their collections for the next stage of the competition. Christopher and Blaaderen will go to compete in the global finals together with the British Isles winners Agi & Sam and Teatum Jones which take place in January and February 2016.

The winner of the Woolmark Prize will be awarded with an additional 100,000 Australian dollars (29,000 pounds) and have their collections stocked at international retailers including Harvey Nichols, Joyce , Saks 5th Avenue, 10 Corso Como, David Jones and online at My Theresa and Matchesfashion.com.