The International Woolmark Prize celebrates outstanding fashion talents from across the globe who showcase the beauty and versatility of Australian Merino wool. It is the world’s most prestigious award for rising fashion stars. The International Woolmark Prize connects an astonishing list of industry legends, both past and present for a better tomorrow.
Discover the history of the prize.
Celebrating the 2023 International Woolmark Prize finalists, we present DIALOGUE: a short film creating intergenerational dialogue between iconic artist Joan Jonas and the next generation of leading design talent. DIALOGUE is a contemporary re-staging of one of Joan Jonas’ most iconic performances, Delay Delay (1972). A cast of young creative game-changers including actor Taylour Paige and musician Loyle Carner appear alongside Jonas with emblematic props to create unexpected rhythms of space and scale on the coast of Marseille.
Creative directed by Zak Group, directed by Partel Oliva and choreographed by dancer Josh Johnson, the film features key looks from this year's Woolmark Prize finalists: A. ROEGE HOVE, Bluemarble, Lagos Space Programme, MARCO RAMBALDI, MAXXIJ, Paolina Russo, R H U D E and Robyn Lynch.
FINALISTS
A. ROEGE HOVE is a conceptual knitwear brand that challenges traditions with a modern and artistic approach to original craftsmanship and an aim for silhouettes to be both effortless and extravagant.
The unique designs are created each season by founder Amalie Røge Hove. With a Master’s in textile design from the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, and years of experience as a knitwear designer for Danish brands such as Cecilie Bahnsen and Mark Tan, she created the brand in 2019 as a way of bringing her own visions of knitwear to life.
And it has been evolving and developing ever since.
This wool tube dress is made of a true signature top part in a small rib that’s semi sheer. The volumi¬nous hem of the dress is made flat knit with floats of wool and polyamide that waves like feathers. The couture-like tactility of this technique offers an exclusive silhouette that contrasts nicely with the top part. The square bag was the very first design and product A. ROEGE HOVE made back when it all started, and today it’s still a piece its carries in each season. For the International Woolmark Prize, the bag has been reimagined with a tie scarf detail to enhance its versatility.
- Innovative Knitwear
- Minimises Waste
Made in a small rib with a subtle contrast in material and tension, allowing the top part to drape. This fully fashioned long-sleeved top was designed, developed and knitted in A. ROEGE HOVE’s studio in Copenhagen. This style can be worn back to front, allowing for individual style and a long-lasting relevance.
- Versatility
- Innovative Knitwear
- Locally Manufactured
A heavier garment without making it a traditional heavy piece of knitwear. A nod to tailoring, this fully fashioned knitted quilted jacket invites conversation about what’s possible within knit and the fascination of what the craft can carry.
- Tailored Knitwear
- Renewable Energy Sources
- Innovative Knitwear
This skirt is made from a construction principle of squares working with and against the weight and life of the wool. With slits and the knit panels being linked opposite, allowing the weight of the wool to pull and create these asymmetrical volumes as the lines are disrupted by the movement of the body and the bounce in the skirt.
- 100% Merino wool
- Locally Manufactured
- Innovative Knitwear
A new version of the Alice Off-Shoulder Cardigan, made with Merino wool. A reversed rib results in folds and crinkles, adding enhanced texture to the garment. For this new version in wool we made interruptions where we reversed the rib forcing it to create “folds” and “crinkles”. It can also be worn back to front. Designed, developed and knitted in A. ROEGE HOVE's Copenhagen studio.
- Enhanced Versatility
- Locally Manufactured
- Reversible Fit
Featuring horizontal floats with a rib underlying to create a dress with stretch. Developed with Knitwear Lab. While creating the shape in our studio we wanted to achieve a more simple shape to emphasize the richness of this technique. An effortless and feathery dress that contrasts to the heavier pieces in the collection. The dress is knitted from a construction principle of squares to make the technique run better on the machines causing less waste and faults during production.
- Lightweight Construction
- Renewable Energy Sources
- Innovative Knitwear
Bluemarble is a Paris-based menswear label founded by Anthony Alvarez in 2019.
Elevating singularity to universal status is the visionary dream Bluemarble is striving to bring to life, making a mosaic of cultures the lifeblood of its brand.
The perpetual voyage that drives Bluemarble is never about arriving at a single destination.
Each collection is a vibrant mix of places and stories, of memories and moods. Ideas and inspirations are personal, cultural, aspirational and even, sometimes, the stuff of dreams.
Embroidered Knit
Embroidery is essential to the Bluemarble repertoire. This look showcases the brand’s entire range of embroidery techniques while also associating it with structural innovations. The handkerchief shape and motif embroidery was inspired by a female-led local artisanal workshop in rural Philippines.
- 100% Merino Wool
- Deadstock Yarn
- Handmade Embroidery Technique
Drawstrings Mock Neck Rib Jumper
Another technique that is integral to a Bluemarble collection is the drawstring technique, which allows for the garment to be adjustable to different body shapes. This sweater has bicolor knit visuals, which have been painted by hand in the Bluemarble Paris atelier, not knitted.
- 100% Merino Wool
- Deadstock Yarn
- Adjustable Fit
Rhinestoned Suit
For this look, many different inspirations fuse into one aesthetic. Bluemarble loves to rethink tailoring and create an effortlessness elegance, working on proportions and embellishments which clash with classical connotations.
- 100% Merino wool
- Deadstock fabrics
- Tailoring reinvented
Jacquard Mockneck Jumper
The design of this sweater was heavily inspired from 90s sweater cuts used by snowboarders and skaters, with a Venetian mask-inspired motif on the front. This graphic choice stems back to the general mood inspiration of the collection and the strong and bright colours of the Venice Carnival. This placement and size is also a symbol of a colourful sunrise.
With an elegant shape, the accompanying Merino wool knitted pants are designed to be worn anywhere, anytime.
- 100% Merino Wool
- Deadstock Yarn
- Innovative Knitwear
Half Zipped Jumper
Reimagining the timeless shape of a half-zipped jumper through the lens of the Bluemarble DNA.
Classic shapes rethought and integrated with twisted colourful yarns and embroideries within the knit pattern. The space-dyed yarn visually creates a ‘trompe l’oeil mouliné’ effect.
- 100% Merino Wool
- Deadstock Yarn
- Space-Dyed Yarn
Reversible Jacquard
Fully reversible knit jumper that can be worn on both sides with different colour combinations. One side features bright colours and the other with darker colours, which can be adapted for personal moods or seasons.
- Deadstock yarn
- Reversible look
- Innovative Knitwear
Lagos Space Programme is a conceptual non-binary design label by Adeju Thompson. It offers intellectual, ready-to-wear, high-end crafted collections while exploring parallel concepts through multidisciplinary collaboration projects.
Founded in 2018, the brand aims to contribute to the global conversation around gender and sexuality from an indigenous perspective in a well-researched manner, exploring design through a cultural lens, highlighting Africa’s progressive past pre-colonization. There are many inaccurate misconceptions regarding the African perspective on gender, and we believe fashion has the ability to shift cultural prejudices and retire these outdated beliefs.
Tailored utility waistcoat made of recycled wool with harness racer back detail, worn over sleeveless Post-Adire dyed Merino wool blouse with exaggerated Elizabethan-style collar. Paired with a reimagined replica of engineered traditional workwear loose-fit trousers made of Post-Adire patterned fabric, dyed with organic indigo on 100% Wool Gabardine with lace trimming detail.
- Natural Indigo Dye
- Local Artisans
- Recycled Wool
Loose-fit tailored deconstructed asymmetrical pinstripe Merino wool jacket with multiple pockets and metal zip details, worn over Cloudy Wool knitted T-shirt. Harness brass detail hardware, handcrafted in Benin City Nigeria and styled with Tailored loose fit high-waisted trousers with deep pleats.
- 100% Merino Wool
- Local Artisans
- Natural Alternatives
Utilitarian elegance which celebrates indigenous Yoruba tailoring. Loose fit asymmetrical long vest with cut-out detail and double-ended zip fastening with reflective slit detail, black stand-up collar with harness, worn over elegant off-white wool blend lavallière blouse with pleated detail across sleeve and handcrafted multi-design brass button hardware. Worn alongside a reimagined replica of engineered traditional workwear loose-fit trousers made of 100% Wool Gabardine with lace trimming detail.
- 100% Merino Wool
- Local Artisans
- Tradition Reimagined
Tailored utility waistcoat made of recycled wool with harness racer back detail, worn over loose fit asymmetrical long vest with cut-out detail. worn over elegant off-white wool blend lavallière blouse with pleated detail across sleeve and handcrafted multi-design bronze button hardware worn alongside a reimagined replica of engineered traditional workwear loose-fit trousers made of 100% Wool Gabardine.
- Recycled Wool
- Locally Manufactured
- Tradition Reimagined
Hand-beaded merino wool scarf draped over elegant tailored loose fit off-white coat made from 100% wool merino gabardine intricate hand-drawn foliage lining worn over blouse with cloudy wool knit exaggerated collar
- 100% Merino Wool
- Locally Manufactured
- Tradition Reimagined
Tailored utility waistcoat made of Merino wool with harness racer back detail, and Multi-layered ankle length wrap skirt with Wool Garbadine outer layer and Post-Adire inner layer dyed with natural indigo.
- 100% Merino Wool
- Natural Indigo Dye
- Minimises Waste
Marco Rambaldi (Bologna, 1990) graduated in 2013 in Fashion Design at the IUAV University of Venice. He moved to Milan in 2014 to work in the Dolce & Gabbana women’s style office.
He founded his eponymous label in 2017. Rambaldi's mission is to find excellence in materials processed by the skilled hands of Italian artisan workshops and share it with the world.
Marco Rambaldi offers a total look, where the world of the Italian bourgeoisie of the ‘70s collides in its repetitive daily expressive codes, with a radically young, emotional, transversal, new aesthetic.
This look is composed of a skirt and cardigan in knitted jacquard, a crochet lilac bag and a crochet and Swarovski chocker. The knitwear is a three-color jacquard, lime, lilac and brown, made starting from two paintings by Porpora Marcasciano, Italian Trans LGBTQ+ activist. The paintings are a confused mixture of bodies, body parts and body fluids that together build these almost utopian futuristic constellations.
- Made by Artisans
- Locally Manufactured
- Zero Material Waste
This look is composed of a corset, a mini skirt, and a jacked all made with shiny coated wool denim and upcycled vintage crochet. The wool denim fabric is coated with a transparent layer that makes it waterproof and gives it a consistence close to leather but maintaining all the qualities of a wool fabric
- Locally Manufactured
- Wool Denim
- Upcycled Fabrics
This look is composed of a longuette and a bomber in jacquard fabric, a heart shaped 100% wool crochet top, hand a 100% Merino wool crochet mini bag covered in Swarovski crystals. The bomber and the skirt draw from a more classic silhouette, revisited and depicting a wild scene starring a snake that embraces a heart that looks almost set in the Garden of Eden. The jacquard fabric was developed with Isa Seta.
- Locally Manufactured
- Small Batch Production
- 100% Merino Wool
This dress draws inspiration from the world of lingerie. It is made with an original crochet stitch, realized with two different shades of red. The chains made of hearts almost strangle the body, spiralling around it in an extremely sensual crochet wool dress. The bodice is constructed mimicking the shape and lines typical of the leather fetish world, it ties on the back thanks to a Swarovski-encrusted heart.
- 100% Merino Wool
- Handmade
- Locally Manufactured
This look is composed of cargo denim wool printed pants, a crochet guêpiere and a wool embossed hand-made green bra. The pants recall a very masculine fit, but the denim wool is printed with an all over galaxy on symbols, some recalling the history of the brand, some others taken from the world of the alchemy, elements that create life.
- Locally Manufactured
- Small Batch Production
- 100% Natural Materials
This look is composed of a knitwear wool ribbed dress and a wool double-breasted coat with a crochet and Swarovski-decorated back. The brown coat is made with deadstock fabric, showcasing a classic silhouette. The back is decorated with a series of heart crochet chains that hang from the shoulder line and embroidered with Swarovski. The dress is made of two pieces, the actual dress and the sleeves, which are decorated on the front with a metal heart shaped buckle. The look is completed with a crochet 3D heart shaped bag, decorated with a silver snake.
- Natural Materials
- Deadstock Fabrics
- Locally Manufactured
MAXXIJ is Seoul-born designer at the forefront of new generation of talent emerging from Korea. Blending a creative journey with craftsmanship, MAXXIJ offers multi-dimensional, subversive artwork with forward vision of high fashion.
MAXXIJ's artistic vision focuses on experimental design with futuristic and boundary-pushing aesthetics. By using fashion as a medium MAXXIJ collection’s ethos originates from the concept of masquerade.
He chose fashion as the language which he communicates with the world. And MAXXIJ is the story that he wants to tell through that language. This collection was inspired by the work of Katharina Sieverding.
This hero look is an iconic reinterpretation of wool used design. MAXXIJ aims to create highly desirable daily statement looks with Merino wool innovations to provide the ultimate consumer experience with functionality. The knit structured silhouette creates more casual, comfort functions and abstract beauty of graphics.
- 100% Merino Wool
- Minimises Waste
- Seamless Construction
To create the unique patterns featured in this set, MAXXIJ used a Beam Projector against a 3D body. A 5-STOLL multi-gauge flat-bed knitting machine was used to create the seamless knit, resulting in flexible, diverse design ideas and visually appealing, comfortable garments..
- 100% Merino Wool
- Minimises Waste
- Seamless Construction
By exploring the relationship between body and garments, MAXXIJ created this double-faced knit Jacquard with multi-thickness knitted construction, allowing greater structure diversity and comfort.
- 100% Merino Wool
- Small Batch Production
- Diversity + Comfort
Combining wool's unique aesthetic with denim, a traditional yet casual look is reinvented. This look reimagines the feeling and look of denim by using 100% wool, to create a warm, breathable and luxury garment.
- 100% Merino Wool
- Wool Denim
- Deadstock Fabrics
Evolution of the wool jacket and overalls expressed through the use of highly developed functional wool which has been created using core-spun technology. This jacket is lightweight, wind and rain resistant.
- Wind & Rain Resistant
- Easy Care
- Small Batch Production
This look is inspired by the repurposing of deadstock fabric. MAXXIJ rescued and reinterpreted leftover fabrics from other fashion houses that have overestimated their fabric needs before they are thrown away.
- Deadstock Fabrics
- Small Batch Production
- Versatility
Paolina Russo is a London-based brand founded in 2021 by Paolina Russo and Lucile Guilmard. The brand is a rose-tinted supercut of Russo’s suburban upbringing in Canada, and Guilmard’s French folklore references. Memories of youth sports teams and DIY arts-and-crafts projects assemble the brand's avant-garde garments. Russo and Guilmard have been increasingly defined by considered craftsmanship, sustainability and innovation in textile development. Blending Russo's roots in knitwear with Guilmard's contemporary cutting methods, along with a shared craft obsession, Paolina Russo returns to the playful brashness of adolescence.
Paolina Russo is committed to sustainability and creating clothing that is both environmentally responsible and aesthetically exciting. It aims to push and rethink what sustainability is for a contemporary fashion brand through experimenting and coming up with new making processes, prioritising transparency and traceability and involving its manufacturers in the design process.
Gradient illusion knit turtleneck & maxi skirt
Gradient-dyed knit two-piece set with lenticular knit effect. The look consists of a vest top with turtleneck and maxi skirt with folded waistband detail, and a gradient crochet hat. The graphics are inspired by a vintage picnic blanket and is contrasted with vibrant gradient techno colours.
- 100% Merino Wool
- Natural Dyes
- Zero Waste
Optical gingham thermal two piece set
Fitted seamless knit long-sleeve thermal top with thumbhole detail and fitted circular knit thermal leggings. Performance wear that is both functional and creative, blending sportswear functional cuts with pastoral gingham and florals motifs with vibrant hues.
- Made To Order
- Zero Waste
- Small Batch Production
Hybrid mini dress & crochet blanket bag
This fluid base dress with chunky knit inserted sleeves and body, combines both knitwear and woven garment techniques to challenge the common misconception that wool cannot be lightweight or used for fluid draping and cutting. Made from a combination of upcycled vintage Woolmark Merino wool blankets
- 100% Merino Wool
- Locally Manufactured
- Zero Waste
Optical floral catsuit
Fitted knit with long-sleeve thermal catsuit, with high neck and thumbhole detail. These thermal pieces merge fashion and technical knitting, creating versatile activewear.
- Made To Order
- Zero Material Waste
- Small Batch Production
Gradient illusion knit relax fit top and crochet blanket skirt
Gradient hand-dyed relaxed fit top with lenticular knit effect. A-line patchwork maxi skirt made from upcycled blankets with crochet detail.
- 100% Merino Wool
- Natural Dyes
- Zero Waste
Rainbow cross over top and skirt set
Traditional Norwegian faire-isle motifs inspired the design of the top which resembles the look of a scarf wrapped around the body. The cable knitted maxi skirt with wrap waistband detail is constructed in three parts with godets knitted integrally into the skirt for added drape.
- 100% Merino Wool
- Natural Dyes
- Zero Waste
R H U D E, founded by Rhuigi Villaseñor in 2015, is a design venture born out of Los Angeles, balancing luxury techniques with streetwear elements, showcased as ready-to-wear collections. Designed from a narrative standpoint R H U D E is both a reflection of modern socioeconomics and personal stories as Villaseñor came to Los Angeles from the Philippines at the age of 11 with no concept of brand culture. Now a recurring theme season-to-season, R H U D E combines American iconography with nostalgic references, a visual commentary on Los Angeles style and culture itself. With no formal training specific to fashion design, Villaseñor credits his understanding of garments and construction to growing up with a mother who was a tailor.
R H U D E’s journey parallels Villaseñor, chronicling the evolution of a man from adolescence to maturity, a narrative reflected each collection both the Creative Director and brand continues to grow-up with its ever-expanding fan base.
Washed denim wool trench coat featuring, classic R H U D E straight leg-denim 90 pant and denim wool western shirt. Everything is digitally printed on this beautiful white Super 130’s wool from William Halsted UK. Digitally enhanced and replicated the highs and lows in denim; the faded look gave it a worn in touch.
- 100% Merino wool
- Traceable
- Woolmark certified
Trucker jacket and multi-pocket cargos, on beautiful white Super 130’s wool from William Halsted UK. Digitally printed to achieve washed denim aesthetic.
- 100% Merino wool
- Digital Printing
- Locally Manufactured
Printed denim wool trench coat, snap western shirt and 90s pant digitally printed on beautiful white Super 130’s wool from William Halsted UK.
- 100% Merino wool
- Digital Printing
- Minimises Waste
Wool bomber with plaid sleeve and waxed wool denim-look cargo, both with special wax coating to create a protective layer, increasing longevity and making garments more resistant to wear and tear. A nod to traditional waxed denim, whilst highlighting all the benefits of wool: excellent insulation, moisture-wicking, durable, odour and wrinkle resistant.
- 100% Merino wool
- Digital Printing
- Minimises Waste
R H U D E’s signatured traxedo cut featuring luxurious Merino wool Tweed plaid, drawing on wool’s inherent benefits such as breathability, odour resistance and thermoregulation.
- Wax-Coated Wool
- Zero Waste
- Locally Manufactured
Wool plaid overcoat and 90s pant paired with wool snap shirt – shirt and pants specially coated for enhanced weather protection.
- Wax-Coated Wool
- Locally Manufactured
- Weather Protection
CORDURA® combat wool™ ripstop
The CORDURA® Combat Wool™ fabric is a high-performance material that offers the natural benefits of Merino wool along with the durability and abrasion resistance of CORDURA® fibre technology. Custom dyed at the Robyn Lynch Hackney studio. A hybrid knit; contrasting traditional Irish aran cable and modern Japanese Cordura wool, in a single piece creating a functional garment.
- Hand Dyed
- Protection from Elements
Organic elbwolle™ Wool fleece
100% wool providing a natural alternative to traditional polar fleece fabric. Using wool sourced from Gotland sheep, the process from sheep to finished fabric is only 900 kilometres long and uses regional resources to provide local employment.
- 100% Wool
- Natural Alternative
- Socially Minded
Deadstock Virgin Wool Gabardine
Multi-pocket pants made using deadstock wool gabardine a high-quality fabric made from pure, untreated wool fibres in a twill weave pattern. Its durability and wrinkle-resistance make it an excellent choice for apparel. Paired with a modern take on an Aran jumper.
- 100% wool
- Deadstock Fabric
- Minimises Waste
Deadstock Virgin Wool Gabardine
Bottle green drawstring hoodie pants made using deadstock wool gabardine, paired with a 100% Merino wool sheep motif T-shirt and multi-pocket pants.
- 100% wool
- Deadstock Fabric
- Minimises Waste
100% WV Lana Merino Yarn
Aran jumper in shrink-resistant 100% extrafine Merino wool from E.Miroglio. Green hues draw on Lynch's Irish heritage, combining structural elements of traditional Irish Aran cable knit contrasted against a sporty silhouette in a tonal woven fabric.
- 100% Merino wool
- Tradition Reimagined
- Warmth without Weight
Lavalan Insulation
Merino wool puffer jacket features Lavalan insulation, a 100% natural wool material. This high-performance insulation is lightweight, breathable, and moisture-wicking, providing exceptional warmth and comfort for outdoor activities. Lavalan insulation has been paired with an outer shell and lining made from 100% Merino wool, with the resultant jacket offering superior warmth and comfort.
Organic elbwolle™ Wool Cotton Sweat
Traditional hoodie reimagined in a wool-rich cotton blend, with the fabric weighing just 750 g/m² for warmth without the weight.
- 100% Merino Wool
- Natural Alternative
- Weather Protection
“For me, fashion has always been an extension of storytelling, alchemy, the magic of ideas. It’s the celebration, fury, and beauty of the chaos and order people are capable of, when they reach to make something. I found it amazing to partner with the International Woolmark Prize to help reveal this year's finalists' collections.”
TAYLOUR PAIGE
“It was special to be a part of the Woolmark Prize collections coming to life. So much can be offered across generations – from Joan through to myself – allowing for mutual dialogue, connections and learnings to be shared.”
LOYLE CARNER
JOAN JONAS
Joan Jonas is a world-renowned artist whose work encompasses a wide range of media including video, performance, installation, sound, text, and sculpture. Joan’s experiments and productions in the late 1960s and early 1970s continue to be crucial to the development of many contemporary art genres, from performance and video to conceptual art and theatre. Since 1968, her practice has explored ways of seeing, the rhythms of rituals, and the authority of objects and gestures.
“Such support is so important for young artists and designers to inspire them to find new forms, new ways, new paths. And also to bring attention to their work.”