An expert Advisory Council of industry leaders and taste-makers will select 10 finalists for the International Woolmark Prize global final, sponsored by The Woolmark Company, to be held in early 2020. The 2019/20 edition of the prize attracted more than 300 applications from across the world and the 10 finalists will be announced in October 2019.
The International Woolmark Prize Advisory Council includes: Manish Arora, designer; Christiane Arp, Editor in Chief, Vogue Germany; Tim Blanks, Editor-at-Large, Business of Fashion; Christine Centenera, Fashion Director, Vogue Australia, and Co-Founder Wardrobe.NYC; Floriane de Saint Pierre, Founder, Floriane de Saint Pierre et Associés; Livia Firth, Co-Founder and Creative Director of Eco-Age; Gert Jonkers, Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Fantastic Man; Colin McDowell, Fashion Commentator; Fabien Montique, Director and Photographer; Sarah Mower, Chief critic, Vogue.com; Nelson Mui, Merchandising Director, fashion, Lane Crawford; Chizuru Muko, Editor in Chief, WWD Japan; Sara Sozzani Maino, Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Vogue Italia and head of Vogue Talents; Alison Veness, editor 10 & 10 Men Australia and Creative Director-at-Large Vogue Australia; Lu Yan, Founder, Comme Moi; Kate Young, stylist; Livia Firth, Eco-Age Founder and Creative Director.
“The International Woolmark Prize is a fashion institution that nurtures emerging talent and gives designers a global platform to help grow their businesses. Each year we see designers from around the world bring their unique vision and innovative methods to reimagine the possibilities of Australian Merino wool in a more sustainable way. I am proud to support this incredible awards programme and look forward to meeting the finalists, seeing their wool creations in 2020, learn from them and get inspired even more,” said Firth.
Now in its eighth year, the International Woolmark Prize remains the leading talent incubation programme, crossing borders and cultures to discover, nurture and celebrate outstanding talents who showcase the beauty and versatility of Merino wool. Boasting a prestigious alumni of more than 400 designers, experts and taste-makers, the programme receives international success and this year attracted submissions from nearly 50 countries, from France, England, the US, Italy and Australia to first-time entrants from Peru, Ecuador, Hungry and Armenia.
“I am honoured to be part of the International Woolmark Prize Advisory Council, which has helped discover some of the most celebrated designers who continue to inspire our generations. I hope new and diverse brands from all over the world will emerge from this and have the opportunity to show their work on an international stage, and will be propelled beyond their territories,” said Montique.
The Woolmark Company is the global authority on wool. Through its extensive network of relationships spanning the international textile and fashion industries, it highlights Australian wool’s position as the ultimate natural fibre and premier ingredient in luxury apparel. The Woolmark Company is a subsidiary of Australian Wool Innovation, a not-for-profit enterprise that conducts research, development and marketing along the worldwide supply chain for Australian wool on behalf of about 60,000 woolgrowers that help fund the company.
