Out of hundreds of applicants, seven emerging and established designers stood out, including a Sydney-based designer who made their fashion week debut at Afterpay Australian Fashion Week earlier this year.
Indeed, leading the charge is Australian and Central Saint Martins graduate Jordan Dalah, the young upstart who opened AAFW and made a lasting impact with his innovative silhouettes and flouncing designs—truly a breath of fresh air for the industry.
In response to the announcement, an excited Dalah said: “I am incredibly honoured to be selected as a finalist for this year’s Woolmark prize. I look forward to showcasing the vital role wool plays in my work”.
Joining Dalah in the list of finalists is UK based designer Ahluwalia and Vietnamese-American Peter Do. Do’s debut at New York Fashion Week in September was an industry highlight, with his mix of tradition and contemporary forms a fan favourite.
Chinese finalist RUI was also the 2021 recipient of the esteemed LVMH Karl Lagerfeld Special Jury Prize.
As part of the prize’s proceedings, each finalist will receive a AU$60,000 grant for the development of a Merino collection and will be supported by the program’s education and mentoring initiative.
Each designer is also invited to present a Merino wool collection for Autumn/Winter 2022 under the theme ‘Play’.
Australian Wool Innovation CEO John Roberts explains, “as the award continues to evolve, our aim is to support designers to think beyond today, highlighting the innovation, versatility and sustainability of Merino wool”.
According to the prize, the awards will be “a true celebration of forward-thinking design and innovation”. All seven finalists will “experiment with textiles, design and business practices to drive change and innovation for a brighter future”. Frankly, we can’t wait.
The winner of the award will receive AU$200,000, with the winner announced in April 2022. Read on below for all the finalists.
Who Are The Finalists Of The 2022 International Woolmark Prize?
- Jordan Dalah, Australia
- Ahluwalia, United Kingdom
- Egonlab, France
- Mmusomaxwell, South Africa
- Peter Do, USA
- RUI, China
- Sual Nash, United Kingdom
