The International Woolmark Prize, the oldest and most prestigious fashion award in the world, announced its finalists for the 2022 edition. The theme of this year’s program is “Play,” and the winners will be selected by a jury of experts from the fashion industry and announced in April 2022. The award celebrates the modernity of Merino wool in the hands of the world’s most promising designers. The finalist designers and brands are Ahluwalia and Saul Nash from the U.K.; Egonlab (France) who ranked second in the Andam award 2021; Jordan Dalah (Australia); Mmusomaxwell (South Africa); Peter Do (U.S.), and Rui (China) who won together with Colm Dillane the founder of the brand Kidsuper and Lukhanyo Mdingi, the Karl Lagerfeld prize 2021 (Lvmh prize).
“Our aim is to support designers to think beyond today, highlighting the innovation, versatility, and sustainability of Merino wool, and to showcase its basis for new technologies to meet the needs of tomorrow’s customer,” said John Roberts, chief executive officer of Australian Wool Innovation, the parent company of The Woolmark Company. “This year’s theme is “Play,” with finalists invited to experiment with textiles, design, and business practices, and “drive change and innovation for a brighter future.”
Each finalist will receive a grant of 60,000 Australian dollars, or or $43,329, for the development of a Merino wool collection for AW22. They will also be supported by the program’s education and mentoring initiative, the Innovation Academy. Mentors include Holli Rogers, the chief brand officer of Farfetch; Sara Sozzani Maino, head of Vogue Talents, and Shaway Yeh, founder of YehYehYeh and group style editorial director of Modern Media Group.
One finalist will be awarded the International Woolmark Prize receiving 200,000 Australian dollars or $144,000 to invest in their business. The Karl Lagerfeld Award for Innovation will be awarded to another finalist, with the winner receiving 100,000 Australian dollars ($72,000).
More on Modemonline:
All the winners of ITS 2021
Nensi Dojaka Wins LVMH Prize
