The Woolmark Company, the global authority on Merino wool, announced the eight finalists of the Woolmark Prize 2025.
Diotima (USA), Duran Lantink (Holland), Ester Manas (Belgium), Lgn Louis Gabriel Nouchi (France), Luar (USA), Meryll Rogge (Belgium) and Standing Ground (UK/Ireland) are the designers that will compete at the 2025 International Woolmark Prize final event to positively shape the future of fashion.

Woolmark also welcomes IB Kamara as guest artistic director for the 2025 final event. The multi-hyphenate creative is best-known known for his seamless understanding of style, image and the power of pop culture whilst championing inclusivity in fashion. Serving as the editor-in-chief of Dazed and creative director for Off-White, Kamara is one of the most exciting and innovative figures in the industry and his artistic direction will help the awards continue to breakdown borders and barriers.

"I’m honoured to be joining the amazing team at Woolmark for the 2025 Woolmark Prize, bringing fresh creativity as we celebrate these design talents," said IB Kamara. "It's so important that we nurture and inspire the talent who are shaping the future of the fashion industry and I can’t wait to meet the finalists."

This marks the first edition of the International Woolmark Prize in its new biennial format. Each finalist will receive 60 thousand Australian dollars (approximately 37 thousand euros) for the development of a Merino wool collection and will be supported by the programme’s education and mentoring initiative, the Innovation Academy, which includes mentoring from industry leaders, including Sara Sozzani Maino, (creative director, Sozzani Foundation) and Roopal Patel (fashion director of Saks).

The finalists will each develop six Merino wool looks either as part of their AW25 collection or as a standalone collection. At least one look will be presented exclusively as part of the prize, showcasing wool product developments and innovations that pave the way for a more positive future.

The final event of the award will return to Italy in the spring, after seven years of absence: the winner will be rewarded in Milan receiving an increase of 300 thousand Australian dollars to invest in the development of their business.

Two industry awards will also be presented at the final event next year. The Karl Lagerfeld Award for Innovation will be presented to any brand or individual within the fashion industry who has pushed the boundaries of Merino wool innovation, and the Supply Chain Award will recognise an outstanding member of the supply chain who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and innovation in advancing sustainable practices.

The International Woolmark Prize is more than a competition, it’s a commitment to shaping a nature-positive future, supporting artisans, and championing sustainability. For more than 60 years, it has been the launchpad for fashion’s brightest stars. Past winners include Karl Lagerfeld, Yves Saint Laurent, and Gabriela Hearst.

Each year, International Woolmark Prize finalists are judged by a prestigious panel of industry experts and taste-makers to decide the ultimate winner.