Premier Investments executive Colette Garnsey will lead the local judging lineup for the International Woolmark Prize.
Garnsey, also a director at Australian Wool Innovation, will join five global powerbrokers on the judging panel for the February 21 award ceremony.
The date was confirmed today, with the event to be hosted during Milan Fashion Week at the Museo Della Triennale.
Garnesy will join Vogue China editor at large Angelica Cheung; Vogue Italia editor-in-chief Franca Sozzani; Gucci creative director Frida Giannini; style.com editor-at-large Tim Blanks and; iconic fashion journalist Colin McDowell.
Australian designer Christopher Esber will compete against four other global finalists for the top prize.
Each finalist will present a six-piece collection highlighting Merino wool at the February 21 award show.
The winner will gain the final prize of AUD100,000 and the chance to be stocked in top retailers around the world.
This includes Colette (France), Isetan (Japan), Saks Fifth Avenue (USA), Harvey Nichols (UK), 10 Corso Como (Italy), JOYCE (China), MyTheresa.com (Germany) and David Jones (Australia).