International Woolmark Prize announces Judges for Regional finals 2016/2017
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London - The International Woolmark Prize has announced the judging panels for the next cycle of its annual competition, which honours the most innovation womenswear and menswear designers and their use of wool.
This year's competition is set to welcome industry experts to serve as judges once more, as well as acclaimed designers Jason Wu, Neil Barrett and Juun.J. They will sit alongside industry representatives including fashion author, editor and consultant André Leon Talley; Vogue Italia Editor-in-Chief Franca Sozzani; Topman Creative Director Gordon Richardson; and British GQ Editor Dylan Jones, during the first regional award ceremony to take place, Europe, set to take place later this week in Milan, Italy on June 28.
"With more than 75 designers selected from 62 countries, this year's edition of the International Woolmark Prize is the biggest one yet," said The Woolmark Company Managing Director Stuart McCullough. "The award continues to highlight the most innovative and modern interpretations of Australian wool at the hands of the world's most promising design talents."
The British Isles regional final, set to take place on July 5, will see designer Roksansa Ilinci; Vogue deputy editor Emily Sheffield; GQ editor Dylan Jones; Topman creative director Gordon Richardson; group fashion buying director of Harvey Nichols, Anita Barr; men's style director of Matchesfashion.com Simon Chilvers; and fashion and buying director of Boutique 1 Group Bridget Cosgrave serve together as juding panel.
"Our esteemed judging panels and mentors will no doubt provide expert advice to each of the nominees which is invaluable at this stage of their careers. The continued support from industry heavyweights, governing bodies and the world's most influential retailers cements the importance of the International Woolmark Prize on the world stage."
The judges will decide which designers are best fit to move onto the global final of the International Woolmark Prize for the menswear and womenswear categories. Each judging panel will select one menswear and one womenswear finalist to move one to the final round and each designer will receive a 50,000 AU dollars contribution to create their next capsule collection. The final winners, which will be announced in early 2017, will be given an additional grant of 100,000 AU dollars as well as the chance to sell their capsule collections in department stores around the world.