British designers nominated for Woolmark Prize

J.W. Anderson and James Long will represent the UK in the International Woolmark Prize, which is searching for an emerging designer that highlights the beauty of the Merino wool fibre and showcases the materials eco credentials.

The British designers will compete in the European regional final against designers from Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Czech Republic, Turkey, Norway and Sweden, which includes Dutch Couturier Jan Taminiau, Christian Wijnants from Belgium, and Italian label Co/Te.

The Woolmark prize supported by the Australian Wool Industry, was reintroduced this year, and is hoping that the new award will not only showcase the diversity of wool, but will also follow in the footsteps of its other prestigious fashion awards including the International Wool Secretariat design award of the 1950s, which founded two relatively unknown designers of the time, Yves Saint Laurent and Karl Lagerfeld.

The new initiative will hold five regional awards in Australia, China, India, Europe and the US, with a winner from each region receiving a financial contribution towards their next collection as well as an invitation to participate in the international final that will take place in London.

The regional awards will be held in July where the designers are required to present sketches of a Merino wool capsule collection comprising of six outfits, with one full outfit to be produced. These collections will be judged by a panel of local and international experts consisting of Alexandra Shulman of British Vogue, Vogue Germany’s Christiane Arp, designers Dean and Dan Caten of Dsquared2 and Giles Deacon.

The overall winner will receive a cash prize of 100,000 Australian dollars (79,000 euros) to assist in underwriting their next fashion show. In addition, the international winner will have their collection commercialised through key international retail partners including Harvey Nichols in the UK, Lane Crawford in China, Eickoff in Germany, Bergdorf Goodman in the USA, and David Jones in Australia.

Robert Langtry, The Woolmark Company’s global Chief Strategy and Marketing Officer said: "The Australian wool industry has a rich history of supporting emerging talent in fashion. Australian Wool Innovation and The Woolmark Company, globally, have continued this tradition by creating innovative design support programs. This hindsight, paired with Woolmark’s global network and reach, has allowed us to undertake a project of this scale with the aim to educate and connect with fashion’s future leaders and to highlight outstanding design in Merino wool."

The award is also being supported internationally by key fashion councils including the British Fashion Council, the Council of Fashion Designers America, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Madrid, Chambre Syndicale De La Couture, and the Premsela Foundation.

Image: Woolmark