An expert Advisory Council of industry leaders and tastemakers will select 10 finalists for the International Woolmark Prize. © The Woolmark Company

An expert Advisory Council is facing the tough challenge to select 10 designers to participate in the International Woolmark Prize global final, to be held early-2020. The 2019/20 edition of the International Woolmark Prize attracted more than 300 applications from across the world and the 10 finalists will be announced in October 2019.

The International Woolmark Prize Advisory Council includes:

• Manish Arora, Designer
• Christiane Arp, Editor in Chief, Vogue Germany
• Tim Blanks, Editor-at-Large, Business of Fashion
• Christine Centenera, Fashion Director, Vogue Australia, and Co-Founder WARDROBE.NYC
• Floriane de Saint Pierre, Founder, Floriane de Saint Pierre et Associés
• Livia Firth, Co-founder and Creative Director of Eco-Age
• Gert Jonkers, Co-founder and Editor-in-chief, Fantastic Man
• Colin McDowell, Fashion commentator
• Fabien Montique, Director and photographer
• Sarah Mower, Chief Critic, Vogue.com
• Nelson Mui, Merchandising Director, Fashion, Lane Crawford
• Chizuru Muko, Editor in Chief, WWD Japan
• Sara Sozzani Maino, Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Vogue Italia and Head of Vogue Talents
• Alison Veness, Editor 10 & 10 Men Australia and Creative Director-at-Large Vogue Australia
• Lu Yan, Founder, Comme Moi
• Kate Young, Stylist

“The International Woolmark Prize is a fashion institution that nurtures emerging talent and gives designers a global platform to help grow their businesses,” said Livia Firth, Eco-Age Founder and Creative Director.

“Each year we see designers from around the world bring their unique vision and innovative methods to reimagine the possibilities of Australian Merino wool in a more sustainable way. I am proud to support this incredible awards programme and look forward to meeting the finalists, seeing their wool creations in 2020, learn from them and get inspired even more.”

International Woolmark Prize

Now in its eighth year, the International Woolmark Prize remains the leading talent incubation programme, crossing borders and cultures to discover, nurture and celebrate outstanding talents who showcase the beauty and versatility of Merino wool. Boasting a prestigious alumni of more than 400 designers, experts and tastemakers, the programme receives international success and this year attracted submissions from nearly 50 countries, from France, England, the USA, Italy and Australia to first-time entrants from Peru, Ecuador, Hungry and Armenia.

“I am honoured to be part of the International Woolmark Prize Advisory Council, which has helped discover some of the most celebrated designers who continue to inspire our generations. I hope new and diverse brands from all over the world will emerge from this and have the opportunity to show their work on an international stage, and will be propelled beyond their territories,” commented Fabien Montique, Director and photographer.

The Woolmark Company

The Woolmark Company is the global authority on wool. Through its extensive network of relationships spanning the international textile and fashion industries, the company highlights Australian wool’s position as the ultimate natural fibre and premier ingredient in luxury apparel.

The Woolmark logo is one of the world’s most recognised and respected brands, providing assurance of the highest quality, and representing pioneering excellence and innovation from farm through to finished product.

The Woolmark Company is a subsidiary of Australian Wool Innovation, a not-for-profit enterprise that conducts research, development and marketing along the worldwide supply chain for Australian wool on behalf of about 60,000 woolgrowers that help fund the company.

www.woolmark.com