Mission are excited to be continuing their work with Woolmark this year, specifically to promote the prestigious International Woolmark Prize 2013.
A host of international fashion icons including Diane Von Furstenberg, Donatella Versace and Victoria Beckham are leading a panel of industry experts who will award the best Merino wool designer in the world with the International Woolmark Prize; a competition that launched the careers of Karl Lagerfeld and Yves Saint Laurent in the 1950s.
During its 60 year history, the competition has kept a relatively low profile, but is now set to take centre stage as it joins the London Fashion Week schedule with a star – studded event on 16th February 2013, with the support of the British Fashion Council.
Regional awards have been taking place globally for the past year and have narrowed the shortlist down to six entrants representing Europe, USA, China, Australia, Japan and India. The finalists, who have emerged from a total of 70 applicants nominated by fashion industry professionals in their respective regions, are: Sophie Theallet from the US, Christian Wijnants from Belgium (for Europe), Ban Xiao Xiu from China, Dion Lee from Australia, DRESSEDUNDRESSED from Japan and Pankaj and Nidhi from India.
The prize includes a $100,000 AUD sponsorship and the winner’s Merino wool collections merchandised in the world’s most important retailers including Harvey Nichols in the UK, Bergdorf Goodman in the USA, 10 Corso Como in Italy, Joyce in China, David Jones in Australia and Eickohoff Königsallee in Germany.
See here for the first video instalment of a series that will introduce each of the finalists:
International Woolmark Prize – Ban Xiao Xue – China Finalist 2012 from The Woolmark Company on Vimeo.
For media enquiries, please contact Amy Wild at [email protected]
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