Knitwear Queen launches prize
INTERNATIONAL: The Australian Merino Woolmark Prize, which launches in Paris next month (July) has appointed French knitwear designer Sonia Rykiel as its official patron. An initiative of wool promotion body Australian Wool Innovation, the prize was created to reward creativity in Merino wool, with judging to commence in July.
Rykiel would be joined by a judging panel of global fashion identities including: Sally Singer, fashion news director, Vogue USA; Véronique Philipponat, editor-in-chief, Elle France; Olivier Saillard, curator, Musée des Arts Décoratifs; Gabriele Hackworthy, fashion director, Vogue China; Sarah Lerfel, Boutique Colette, Paris; Vanessa Friedman, fashion writer, Financial Times, London; Sarah Mower, journalist, style.com; Valerie Steele, curator, Fashion Institute of Technology, New York; and Terry Jones, creative director, i-D magazine.
Widely regarded as the 'Queen of Knits', Sonia Rykiel launched her label in the early 60s. Accepting the position as patron of the Woolmark Prize she said she had "learnt everything from knitwear".
"I think that wool has earned the prize that has been established in its name. I am proud to be the patron of the Woolmark Prize."
The 10 award finalists were: Rubecksen Yamanaka (Hilde Rubecksen and Tomoko Yamanaka, from Norway and Japan respectively); Everlasting Sprout (Keiichi Muramatsu and Noriko Seki, from Japan); Cooperative Designers (Annalise Dunn and Dorothee Hagemann, from the UK); Louise Goldin, also from the UK; Tom Scott, from the US; Xavier Brisoux, from France; Shao Jia, from China; Qiu Hao, also from China; Chrystl Fischer, from Belgium; and Marielle Van de Ven, from The Netherlands.
The winner would receive aid in sourcing material, production, presentation and promotion of a collection. Meanwhile high end Paris boutique Colette would carry exclusive stock of a limited edition garment, designed by the winner and produced in collaboration with Woolmark.
The Australian Merino Woolmark Prize awards night - including cocktails and prize giving ceremony - will be held in Paris for industry and media on the evening of July 3.