Pankaj & Nidhi wins International Woolmark Prize

The last regional final for the International Woolmark Prize has taken place in India and named designer duo Pankaj & Nidhi as the Indian Award winner, edging out nine other Indian designers for the prize. The Woolmark accolade is the latest

to be given to the design duo, who has previously won the Elle Style Award for best debutant designer in 2008 and the Elle Style Award for best women’s pret-a-porter in 2009. In addition, the couple also won first prize at the International Fashion Award at the World Apparel Convention in Hong Kong.

The duo take the final spot in the International Woolmark Prize grand final, which will take place during London Fashion Week in February, they will compete against Christian Wijnants representing Europe, US finalist Sophie Theallet, Chinese designer Ban Xiao Xue, and Dion Lee who won the Australian final.

The Woolmark prize supported by the Australian Wool Industry was relaunched this year to help promote outstanding design talent from across the world, as well as showcase the diversity of Merino wool.

Each finalist took home $50,000, and each will compete for the prize of a 100,000 Australian dollars to assist in underwriting their next fashion show, as well as designing a collection that will be stocked in Harvey Nichols, US department store Bergdorf Goodman, Italy's 10 Corso Como and David Jones in Australia.