Gabriela Hearst and Cottweiler were announced respectively womenswear and menswear winner of the 2016/17 International Woolmark Prize presented at a special event at the iconic Palais de Tokyo, Paris.

The return of the International Woolmark Prize to Paris salutes the original awards, initiated by the International Wool Secretariat in 1953. This year, the menswear and womenswear awards have been held together for the first time at one prestigious event.

More than 75 designers from more than 60 countries were nominated for this year’s award, with finalists representing six different regions around the world. The menswear finalists were MÜNN (Asia), Ex Infinitas (Australia & New Zealand), Cottweiler (British Isles), Tonsure (Europe), Bounipun (India, Pakistan and the Middle East) and Rochambeau (USA).
The womenswear finalists were Toton (Asia), MacGraw (Australia & New Zealand), Faustine Steinmetz (British Isles), Tim Labenda (Europe), Nachiket Barve (India, Pakistan & the Middle East) and Gabriela Hearst (USA).



“Cottweiler is working with wool in a highly original way that mixes sports, tailoring, streetwear and fashion, and I think that represents a new dimension in menswear,” said Jefferson Hack, the CEO and Co-Founder of Dazed Media, after the judging session.
Shayne Oliver, the Creative Director of Hood By Air, agreed, adding: {“{Cottweiler seems past wanting to show off and are very relaxed and confident in themselves and what they show. They know where to go with this funding and it will give them the push to get to the level they deserve to be at.”}

“Winning the International Woolmark Prize gives us the opportunity to share what we do with a much bigger, global audience,” explained Cottweiler after the win. “But for us, the great part of this was the opportunity to work with a different material - Merino wool - because we’re always interested in experimenting with technology and development.”



“We picked Gabriela because we thought she struck a chord on every level: a passion for wool, its history, and the varied uses of wool,” said British Fashion Council Chair Dame Natalie Massenet DBE.

“I learned a lot hearing her talking about the processes and the fact wool doesn’t wrinkle. She did a very good job of showing high-low, from evening gowns through to trench coats and pant suits and we feel that she will have an enormous future and will be great spokesperson for wool.”

“From a personal perspective I wish my grandfather and father were here,” said Gabriela Hearst after the win. “As a designer it’s a huge honour to be recognised and I cannot wait to promote more Merino wool in the world as I believe it is the yarn of future.”

Gabriela Hearst and Cottweiler will now receive AU$100,000 to help support the development of their business. They will also receive ongoing industry mentor support, Woolmark certification for their winning collection and the opportunity to be stocked in some of the world’s most prestigious department stores and boutiques. These include Boutique 1, Boon the Shop, David Jones, Harvey Nichols, Hudson’s Bay Company, Isetan, Lane Crawford, LECLAIREUR, mytheresa.com, The Papilion and ssense.com. All finalists’ collections will also become available for wholesale purchase via Ordre.com.