Winners of the 2017/18 International Woolmark Prize Announced

 Just announced during the Pitti Uomo menswear fair at Stazione Leopolda this week in Florence are winners of the 2017/18 International Woolmark Prize.

Models on stage at the International Woolmark Prize 2017/2018 on January 9, 2018 in Florence, Italy.
(Photo by Elisabetta Villa/Getty Images for the Woolmark Company)

(L - R) Matthew Miller (Menswear winner from the UK), Christopher Bevans of Dyne (Inaugural Innovation award winner) and Ruchika Sachdeva  (Womenswear winner representing India, Pakistan and the Middle East ) at the International Woolmark Prize 2017/2018 event on January 9, 2018 in Florence, Italy. 
(Photo by Elisabetta Villa/Getty Images for the Woolmark Company) 

The womenswear, menswear and inaugural Innovation Awardwinners were announced after being judged by an international panel of movers and shakers and influencers of the fashion industry: Amber Valletta, Elizabeth Von Guttman, Emanuele Farneti, Julie Davies, Livia Firth, Liya Kebede, Miroslava Duma, Nonita Kalra, Phillip Lim, Riccardo Vannetti, Sarah Mower and Stuart McCullough along with representatives from the International Woolmark Prize retail partner network.

Emanuele Farneti, Giuseppe Angiolini and Samantha McCoach are seen backstage at the International Woolmark Prize 2017/2018 on January 9, 2018 in Florence, Italy.
(Photo by Elisabetta Villa/Getty Images for the Woolmark Company)

“Today (January 9^th) we saw the world’s best emerging designers present a true celebration of fashion design and innovation, as they shone the spotlight on Australian Merino wool,” said The Woolmark Company Managing Director Stuart McCullough.

 Livia Firth (L) and Six Lee (R) are seen backstage at the International Woolmark Prize 2017/2018 on January 9, 2018 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Elisabetta Villa/Getty Images for the Woolmark Company) 

“Each year, the competition has been fierce and this year was no different. I would also like to commend the mills and spinners who supplied the labels with luxury fabrics and yarns and assisted in the development of innovative fabrications.”

More than 65 designers from more than 60 countries were nominated for this year’s award, with finalists representing six different regions around the world. The global finalists were SixLee and KYE (Asia), Blair Archibald and Harman Grubiša (Australia & New Zealand), Matthew Miller and Le Kilt (British Isles), L'Homme Rouge and David Laport (Europe), Antar-Agni and Bodice (Indian Subcontinent and Middle East) and DYNE and Zaid Affas (USA).

The menswear and womenswear winners each receives AU$200,000 to help support the development of their business. They also receive ongoing industry mentor support, Woolmark certification for their winning collection and the opportunity to be stocked in some of the world’s most prestigious department stores and boutiques, including Boutique 1, Boon The Shop, David Jones, Harvey Nichols, Hudson's Bay, Lane Crawford, LECLAIREUR, mytheresa.com, ORDRE, Parlour X, Ssense.com, Sugar and Tata CLiQ Luxury.  The Innovation Award winner will receive $100,000 along with commercial opportunities.

 (Backstage photos above and below by Elisabetta Villa/Getty Images for the Woolmark Company)

The Woolmark Company have had the support of Fondazione Pitti Discovery and Pitti Uomo, TONI&GUY hair specialists, makeup by MAC, ORDRE and Future Tech Lab for the 2017/18 International Woolmark Prize global final.