The Woolmark Company has renewed its Incubation Lab workshop for emerging designers this year in response to high demand following its successful pilot launch last year.
The Emerging Designer Incubation Lab is specifically tailored for emerging designers from Australia and New Zealand. It features educational sessions and insights from industry leaders, where participants gain market knowledge and resources to enhance their design capabilities with Australian wool.
“The Incubation Lab aims to enrich the design landscape of Australia and New Zealand by equipping emerging talents with industry-leading expertise to propel their future in fashion,” Woolmark managing director John Roberts said. “Woolmark remains committed to nurturing the next generation of design talent through interactive workshops like these.”
There are 14 participants from 13 labels joining the latest iteration of the Incubation Lab, with the full list at the end of the article.
Attendees engaged with industry experts on various topics, such as sustainability practices, circularity, traceability, global legislation, product innovation, brand marketing, social media storytelling, and fashion forecasting. Los Angeles-based designer Zoe Latta - co-founder and director of Eckhaus Latta - shared their market perspective, the role of wool role in their business, and their journey toward an eco-authentic business model.
The Incubation Lab precedes the opening of applications for the next edition of the International Woolmark Prize in April. This award honours innovative designers and offers a global accelerator program supporting sustainable business growth, mentorship from industry leaders, and commercial opportunities.
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.
Attendees of Woolmark’s incubation program:
- Tarek Kourhani, KOURH
- Dan Tse & Eugene Leung, INJURY
- Caroline Reznik, Caroline Reznik
- Alvi Chung, SPEED
- Rory William Docherty, Rory William Docherty
- Ruby Pedder, Ruby Pedder
- Xixi Wu, Xi Wu Studio
- Jillian Boustred, Jillian Boustred
- Henry Cousins, Charlton
- Courtney Zheng, Courtney Zheng
- Ally May Carey, Tres Studios
- Liandra Gaykamangu, Liandra
- Angelica Kilkolly, Angelica Kilkolly