Woolmark Prize finalists include Ahluwalia and Peter Do

By

Sandra Halliday

Published
Nov 24, 2021

The Woolmark Company has released the list of finalists for the 2022 International Woolmark Prize with seven of the world’s most promising emerging design talents in the running for the accolade.

They include two UK-based designers — Ahluwalia and Saul Nash — as well as Peter Do from the US, France’s Egonlab, South Africa's Mmusomaxwell, Rui from China and Australia’s Jordan Dalah.

The company received “hundreds of applications” that were reviewed this summer by a panel of industry members and The Woolmark Company.

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The firm’s CEO John Roberts said: “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 and showcase its basis for new technologies to meet the discerning needs of tomorrow’s customer.” 

The year’s programme theme is Play and is intended to be “a true celebration of forward-thinking design and innovation”. Finalists are invited to “experiment with textiles, design and business practices to drive change and innovation for a brighter future”. 

Each finalist will receive a grant of A$60,000 for the development of a Merino collection and will be supported by the programme’s education and mentoring initiative, the Innovation Academy.

That includes mentoring from major industry names including Farfetch brand chief Holli Rogers.

The finalists will present a Merino wool collection for AW22 “highlighting transparency throughout their supply chain and, alongside partner Common Objective, will build a sustainability roadmap”.

The judging panel to select the winners will give its verdict next spring. After this, one finalist will be awarded the main prize and receive A$200,000 to invest in the development of their business. The Karl Lagerfeld Award for Innovation will be awarded to another finalist, with the winner receiving A$100,000.