The International Woolmark Prize returns to Milan this April, bringing together eight of the world’s most promising design talents to showcase innovation and sustainability in fashion. As the original and most esteemed fashion award, the competition highlights creativity and excellence in working with Merino wool.

The 2025 judging panel features a distinguished lineup of industry leaders, including:

Donatella Versace, Chief Brand Ambassador, Versace (from April 2025), Chair of Judges

IB Kamara, Guest Artistic Director

Law Roach, Image Architect

Alessandro Sartori, Artistic Director, Zegna

Alessandro Dell’Acqua, Founder and Creative Director, N21

Roopal Patel, SVP, Fashion Director, Saks Fifth Avenue

Sinéad Burke, Educator, Advocate and Founder, Tilting the Lens

Honey Dijon, DJ, Producer and Artist

Danielle Goldberg, Celebrity Stylist and Brand Consultant

Tim Blanks, Editor-at-Large, Business of Fashion

Simone Marchetti, European Editorial Director, Vanity Fair & Editor-in-Chief, Vanity Fair Italia

“Supporting the next generation of fashion talent has never been more important. I am so excited to host the Woolmark Prize in our home city of Milan and to meet the designers selected. I am honoured to be Chair of the judging panel for the 2025 Woolmark Prize alongside my fellow amazing judges. Woolmark has always been such fantastic supporters of the future of fashion,” said Donatella Versace.

The 2025 International Woolmark Prize finalists competing for this prestigious award include:

ACT N°1 (Italy)

Diotima (USA)

Duran Lantink (Netherlands)

Ester Manas (Belgium)

LGN Louis Gabriel Nouchi (France)

LUAR (USA)

Meryll Rogge (Belgium)

Standing Ground (UK/Ireland)

This year’s edition marks the first in the competition’s new biennial format. One finalist will receive the International Woolmark Prize along with an increased prize fund of AU$300,000 to invest in their business development.

Additionally, all finalists will gain the opportunity to have their collections stocked at some of the world’s leading retailers through the International Woolmark Prize Retailer Network.

Two additional industry awards will also be presented during the final event. The Karl Lagerfeld Award for Innovation will be given to a brand or individual within the fashion industry that has demonstrated exceptional Merino wool innovation. The Supply Chain Award will recognise an outstanding member of the supply chain who has shown exceptional leadership in advancing sustainable practices, highlighting the importance of innovation within the textile industry.

Since its inception, the International Woolmark Prize has recognised and nurtured some of the most influential designers in fashion history, including Karl Lagerfeld, Yves Saint Laurent, Giorgio Armani, Donna Karan, and Ralph Lauren.

Woolmark is the global authority on wool, promoting the fibre as a premium, natural material through extensive industry relationships. The Woolmark logo is one of the most recognised and respected quality symbols, representing excellence from farm to finished product.

www.woolmark.com