INTERNATIONAL WOOLMARK PRIZE 2013

January 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 prestigious 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.


International Judging Panel:

Diane Von Furstenberg
Donatella Versace, Vice President and Creative Director, Gianni Versace S.p.A
Franca Sozzani, Editor-in-Chief of Vogue Italia, L’Uomo Vogue Italia and Vogue.it. Editorial Director of Condé Nast Italia. “Goodwill Ambassador for Fashion 4 Development” for the UN Tim Blanks, Editor-at-Large Style.com
Victoria Beckham

Retail Partners Judging Panel:

Andrew Keith, President of JOYCE and Lane Crawford
Carla Sozzani, Owner 10 Corso Como
Linda Fargo, Senior Vice President Fashion Office and Store Presentation Bergdorf Goodman Paula Reed, Creative Director Harvey Nichols
Stefan Absrand-Eickhoff from Eickohoff Königsallee
Eickohoff K
nigsallee in Germany.

“Since the regional awards in July 2012, the International Woolmark Prize has gained extraordinary momentum and support, highlighted by the announcement of the most important names in the industry on the final judging panel. This prize speaks the international language of fashion and reaffirms the deep connection the Woolmark holds within the global fashion industry.”

Stuart McCullough, CEO, Australian Wool Innovation