The Woolmark Company has extended its International Woolmark Prize into a two-year program from 2025.
Launched in 1953, the award program offers emerging designers education, financial investment and industry support to drive the use of wool within their collections. Applications are currently open to designers from across the globe, and will close on June 30, 2024.
As well as extending the award to a two-year program, the judging criteria has also shifted, with an enhanced focus on sustainability and innovation.
The International Woolmark Prize winner in 2025 will receive an increased prize fund of AU$300,000 and, for the first time, the Karl Lagerfeld Award for Innovation will be expanded to an industry award, which will be presented to any brand within the fashion industry that has pushed the boundaries of Merino wool innovation.
“The International Woolmark Prize is committed to supporting young talent,” Woolmark managing director John Roberts said. “To do this effectively, designers need more financial support, better access to sustainable materials and time to innovate with the latest technology.
“Our revised program aligns more closely with the evolving needs of the industry.”
Following the closing of applications, an Advisory Council of industry experts will work side-by-side with Woolmark to select finalists.
The Advisory Council includes Business of Fashion editor-at-large Tim Blanks; fashion editor and stylist Gabriella Karefa Johnson; founder and creative director of her eponymous label Gabriela Hearst; Tilting the Lens founder Sinéad Burke; head of Tmall Luxury Pavilion Janet Wang; Eco Age founder Livia Firth; and Fondazione Sozzani creative director Sara Sozzani Maino.
In 2023, Nigerian non-binary fashion label Lagos Space Programme won the International Woolmark Prize, with Copenhagen knitwear label A. Roege Hove securing the Karl Lagerfeld Award for Innovation.
Both brands received AU$200,000 and AU$100,000 respectively, as well as ongoing support from the industry and Woolmark Prize retail partners.