In January 2016, Italian style will entwine with the finest Australian Merino wool when the International Woolmark Prize menswear final takes place as part of Pitti Immagine Uomo in Florence.

Following the inaugural menswear International Woolmark Prize held in London last year during London Collections Men, the award will shift to Florence during Pitti Uomo, which has long been synonymous with sartorial splendour.

“The history of our relationship with Woolmark is long and positive, and it was natural to join forces on this project,” explained Raffaello Napoleone, CEO of Pitti Immagine in an official release. “This important collaboration for the International Woolmark Prize for menswear is yet another confirmation of Pitti Uomo’s leading position in men’s fashions and its irreplaceable role as a platform for research, promotion and launching young designers. It is also a special acknowledgement of Florence, a city that hosts institutions such as Polimoda which has attained one of the highest places in the global ranking of international fashion schools.”

Munsoo Kwon from South Korea, Agi & Sam from the British Isles, Jonathan Christopher from the Netherlands, Siki Im from the United States, P.Johnson from Australia, and India’s Suketdhir will compete for the prestigious award. The six finalists will present Merino wool collections in the historical Villa Favard, the headquarters of Florence’s renowned Polimoda. In this context, an illustrious panel of leading global designers and industry heavyweights will judge the award, which celebrates design excellence using Australia’s preeminent natural fibre.

Pictures and text courtesy of International Woolmark Prize.