The nominees for this year’s International Woolmark Prize have been revealed and include top African designers Adrien Sauvage, Bobby Kolade and Agi & Sam.
The annual initiative sees designers from all over the globe invited to compete for the prestigious top prize of AU $10,000-worth of funding, and the chance to have their creations stocked around the World’s most revered stores.
British-Ghanaian designer Adrien Sauvage has been listed, alongside Agi & Sam (Kenyan “Agi” Agape Mdumulla being one half of the duo) from the British Isles region – the first time the UK has been separated from Europe to become a region of its own in the competition – and Germany-based Sudanese talent, Bobby Kolade from the European region.
Since its conception in 1953, the Woolmark Prize is open for entry to invited candidates only, and is specifically aimed to award upcoming fashion labels who release seasonal collections but aren’t yet considered ‘established’ in the industry.
The prize’s invited entrants are asked to submit ideas for a capsule collection designed using Merino wool, which will be judged by an expert panel that this year includes Paul Smith, Franca Sozzani and Victoria Beckham – the prize previously having been won by top designers including Karl Lagerfeld and Yves Saint Laurent.
This year, 12 global finalists will be chosen from a total of 6 regions – Shanghai, Sydney, Antwerp, Dubai and New York – with each being awarded AU $50,000 worth of funding, and invited to compete in the final for the top prize of AU $100,000 sponsorship money and the chance to have their capsule collection stocked across some of the world’s most prestigious outlets.
We at SPICE wish Adrien Sauvage, Booby Kolade and Agi & Sam the best of luck in the competition, and will look out for the first set of results from the International Woolkmark Prize on July 3rd.
Image source: Vogue.co.uk
