Alaïa creative director Pieter Mulier, Marni creative director Francesco Risso and Zegna artistic director Alessandro Sartori are among jurors for the 2023 International Woolmark Prize.
Eight finalists have been selected to compete at the global final at an event in Paris on May 15, where the winner will be decided.
While no Australian designers made the cut this year, finalists include A. Roege Hove, Denmark; Bluemarble, France; Lagos Space Programme, Nigeria; Marco Rambaldi, Italy; MAXXIJ, South Korea; Paolina Russo, UK; RHUDE, USA; and Robyn Lynch, Ireland.
One finalist will be awarded the International Woolmark Prize and receive AU$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 AU$100,000.
The Woolmark Supply Chain Award will also be presented, marking outstanding contribution from a trade partner to driving wool supply chain innovation.
All finalists will have the opportunity to be stocked at stores across the globe via the International Woolmark Prize Retailer Network.
The International Woolmark Prize encourages designers to utilise wool and showcase its basis for new technologies and development.
This year’s International Woolmark Prize finalists join past finalists Karl Lagerfeld, Yves Saint Laurent, Valentino Garavani, Gabriela Hearst, Rahul Mishra, BODE, Matty Bovan and, most recently, Saul Nash.
The finalists will also be supported by the program’s education and mentoring initiative, the Innovation Academy.
The theme for the 2023 International Woolmark Prize was titled ‘Dialogue’, which Woolmark said represents an important element in the creative process and for the future.
“At a time where new generations raise new challenges for the industry, it’s also an essential process to develop and defend endless innovations to find the plural answers,” Alaïa Creative Director Pieter Mulier said.
“I’m thrilled to be part of this unique experience which, year after year, embodies the future of fashion.”
The 2023 International Woolmark Prize jury includes:
• Alessandro Sartori - Artistic Director, Zegna
• Carine Roitfeld - Founder CR Studio, CR Fashion Book and Carine Roitfeld Parfums
• Caroline de Maigret - Model, Music Producer and Writer
• Elizabeth von der Goltz - CEO, Browns and Chief Fashion and Merchandising Officer, Farfetch
• Francesco Risso - Creative Director, Marni
• John Roberts - Managing Director, The Woolmark Company
• Pieter Mulier - Creative Director, Alaïa
• Salehe Bembury - Designer
• Shaway Yeh - Founder of yehyehyeh and International Creative Director at Meta Media Holdings Limited
• Sinéad Burke - Educator, Advocate and Founder of Tilting the Lens
• Tim Blanks - Editor-at-Large, Business of Fashion
• Tyler Mitchell - Artist, Photographer and Filmmaker