London-based designer Saul Nash has won the highly coveted 2022 International Woolmark Prize, it was announced at a special event in London. Alongside Nash, the designers of South Africa’s Mmusomaxwell, Maxwell Boko and Mmuso Potsane, were honored with the Karl Lagerfeld Award for Innovation. Nash received a cash prize of A$200,000, while Mmusomaxwell received A$100,000, and both winners will also benefit from ongoing support from industry and Woolmark Prize retail partners.
Nash’s innovative use of Merino wool, which seamlessly blended activewear and formalwear, impressed the judging panel that included Riccardo Tisci of Burberry. His ability to replace Lycra with wool and create ballet-inspired designs using the material was commended. Nash’s collection highlighted the advantages of Merino wool in activewear, demonstrating how the material enhanced the quality of his designs while maintaining their technical aspects. His modern approach to knitwear focused on minimizing waste and prioritizing movement and performance.
Upon receiving the award, Nash expressed his gratitude to Woolmark for their support, describing the prize as the “cherry on top” and a testament to the impact Woolmark has had on his career.
The winners of the Karl Lagerfeld Award, Maxwell Boko and Mmuso Potsane of Mmusomaxwell, received praise from judge Carine Roitfeld for their designs, which she believed Karl Lagerfeld would have endorsed. Their collection displayed a commitment to reducing environmental impact and emphasized traditional craftsmanship with an artisanal touch. The design duo was celebrated for their passion, courage, and dedication to introducing new skills to South African manufacturers.
In addition to the main awards, Woolmark presented the Supply Chain Award to Knitwear Lab, a Netherlands-based hub for innovative, design-driven, and sustainable knitwear solutions. Knitwear Lab was recognized for its exceptional contribution to the International Woolmark Prize and its role in providing emerging brands with access to technology, research, and development tailored to their needs in flat-bed knitting.
The distinguished jury panel, made up of industry leaders like Riccardo Tisci, Carine Roitfeld, Edward Enninful, Naomi Campbell, Pieter Mulier, and Sinéad Burke, also acknowledged the significance of the International Woolmark Prize in connecting Australian woolgrowers with the global fashion and textiles industry. John Roberts, Managing Director of The Woolmark Company, expressed his pride in the relationships formed between the finalists, the judging panel, and the supply chain network, emphasizing the hope that these connections will continue to thrive in the future.
The other finalists for the 2022 International Woolmark Prize were Egonlab from France, Jordan Dalah from Australia, Ahluwalia from the UK, Peter Do from the USA, and Rui from China. The competition showcased the beauty, versatility, and modernity of Australian wool, reaffirming its position as a leading sustainable and innovative material in the fashion industry.
Links:
– International Woolmark Prize
– The Woolmark Company
