After a hugely successful first year, the International Woolmark Prize (IWP) continues to gain momentum globally as more partners, retailers and designers align themselves and their brands to help promote outstanding and emerging talent from around the world.
The second edition of the IWP will be a fitting tribute to the International Wool Secretariat awards of the 1950s, from which it was inspired, with a total of 20 countries participating and 48 nominees selected from across the globe.
This year the Asia region has been expanded to include China, Hong Kong, South Korea and Japan. Ten finalists have been selected by industry bodies including China Fashion Association, Hong Kong Fashion Designers Association, Vogue China, Japan Fashion Week and Korea Fashion Association. The awards event will be held in Hong Kong.
The judging panel includes esteemed industry representatives;
- Kevin Carrigan, Global Creative Director, ck Calvin Klein, Calvin Klein Jeans and Calvin Klein
- Angelica Cheung, Editor Vogue China
- Bartley Ingram, Joyce and Lane Crawford
- Simon Lock, CEO The Lock Group
- Christian Wijnants, Winner of IWP 2012/13
Eight finalists have been selected by IMG Fashion for the Australia regional awards. The judging of the Australian award will be held in Sydney. The judging panel includes esteemed industry representatives;
- Sophie Clark, General Manager Womenswear David Jones
- Kellie Hush, Editor-in-Chief Harper’s BAZAAR
- Simon Lock, CEO The Lock Group
- Edwina McCann, Editor-in-Chief Vogue Australia
- Scott Schuman, Founder The Sartorialist
The participating countries for Europe include Belgium, Netherlands, Norway, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Denmark and United Kingdom. There are a total of 10 finalists for Europe that have been selected by leading industry bodies including the British Fashion Council, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Madrid, Vogue Italy, Vogue Paris, NJAL, Premsela.org and Flanders Fashion Institute. Judging for the Europe region will take place in Milan. The judging panel includes esteemed industry representatives;
- Tim Blanks – Editor-at-Large Style.com
- Godfrey Deeny – Editor–at-Large, Le Figaro
- Colin McDowell – Fashion historian and commentator
- Angela Missoni – Creative Director, Missioni S.p.a.
- Franca Sozzani - Editor-in-Chief, Vogue and L’Uomo Vogue Italy
The India region has also been expanded into the Middle East for 2013 with the inclusion of UAE, Pakistan and Lebanon. Ten finalists have been nominated by the Fashion Design Council of India, Dubai Fashion Week, Starch Foundation Lebanon and Pakistan Fashion Design Council. Judging for the India and Middle East region will take place in New Delhi. The judging panel includes esteemed industry representatives;
- Simon Lock, CEO of The Lock Group
- Martin Grant, Designer
- Sunil Sethi, President of FDCI
The Council of Fashion Designers America supports the prize in the USA. Ten nominees will go on to be judged in person on in New York City. The judging panel includes esteemed industry representatives;
- Malcolm Carfrae - Executive Vice-President of Global Communications for Calvin Klein
- Vanessa Friedman –-Fashion Editor, Financial Times
- Steven Kolb - President of the CFDA
- Colleen Sherin - Senior Fashion Director, Saks Fifth Avenue
- Stefano Tonchi – Editor-in-Chief, W magazine
- Alexander Wang - Creative Director, Balenciaga
The regional finalists, once announced, will meet at Milan fashion week in February 2014 to compete for fashion’s ultimate prize. Alongside the A$100,000, they will be given the opportunity to be stocked in some of the world’s most important boutiques.
Commercialisation of the winning collection is the ultimate goal for IWP and the retail partners turn this into reality with the commitment to stock the collection in store late 2014. Retail partners include Saks Fifth Avenue USA, Harvey Nichols UK, 10 Corso Como Italy, Joyce in China and David Jones in Australia.
