The Woolmark Company has revealed the shortlisted designers for the 4th edition of The International Woolmark Prize 15/16.

Nominated across 23 countries, 70 labels will be asked to present a capsule collection highlighting the benefits of Australian Merino wool. The regional award competitions will be held in Asia, Australia, Europe, India & the Middle East, and the USA, with a sixth region, The British Isles, joining due to overwhelming industry support. The regional finalists will receive a financial contribution of AU$50,000, along with an invitation to the international final competition, where the winner will receive a further grant of AU$100,000 and the opportunity to have their collection distributed among the most reputed international distribution partners, such as Harvey Nichols in the UK, Joyce in China, Saks 5th Avenue in the U.S., Colette in France , 10 Corso Como in Italy, David Jones in Australia, as well as Mytheresa.com.

The contest will kick off in London during the London Collections : Men in June 2015, and culminate on July 22nd with The Woolmark Company’s first event in Dubai. Furthermore, this year The Woolmark Company will present the Trade Partnership Program, which aims to connect promising designers with the best wool-spinners and weavers, as well as to connect them to suppliers.

With 41 labels nominated in the womenswear category and 29 labels in the menswear category, the 2015/16 International Woolmark Prize is set to be the biggest edition ever made.

The global nominees for the 2015/16 International Woolmark Prize are:

Asia
Menswear: Ffixxed Studios; Munsoo Kwon; Hui By Eran Hui; Liberum Arbitrium.
Womenswear: Taro Horiuchi; Hei Lau; Whosthat; J Koo; Jarret; Doris Q; Pinghe; Constance Tsui By Davidson Tsui.

Australia
Menswear: From Britten; Patrick Johnson; Han.
Womenswear: Haryono Setiadi; Ashkar Line; Rebecca Vallance; Elissa Mcgowan; Celeste Tesoriero; Bianca Spender.

British Isles
Menswear: Agi & Sam; Craig Green; A Sauvage; Lee Roach; Kit Neale.
Womenswear: J. Js Lee; Teatum Jones; Thomas Tait; Fyodor Golan; Phoebe English.

Europe
Menswear: Giray Sepin; Harmony; Pavel IvančIc; Armoire D’homme; Ivan Mandzukic; Etxeberria; Christian Pellizzari; Marius Petrus; Jonathan Christopher.
Womenswear: Cristaseya; Nanna Van Blaaderen; Capara; Comeforbreakfast; Juan Vidal; Bobby Kolade; Freya Dalsjø; Jindra Jansová; Asu Aksu.

India & United Arab Emirates
Menswear: Republic; Suket Dhir; Thamanyah.
Womenswear: Nachiketa Barve; Sania Maskatiya; Taller Marmo; Bleach; Misha Lakhani; Bashar Assaf; Mira Hayek; Akaaro.

United States
Menswear: Cadet; David Hart; Lucio Castro; Siki Im; Thaddeus O'neil.
Womenswear: Chris Gelinas; Kaelen; Nellie Partow; Novis; Tanya Taylor.

More information on www.woolmarkprize.com.

Picture courtesy of The Woolmark Company.