INDIA WINNER ANNOUNCED INTERNATIONAL WOOLMARK PRIZE

Pankaj and Nidhi was announced as the winner for the International Woolmark Prize India Award. The Woolmark Company relaunched the International Woolmark Prize this year to help promote outstanding design talent from around the world, and through its design innovations inspire and educate consumers on the natural beauty of Merino wool.

Ten of the most talented Indian designers vied for the award including:
Aneeth Arora, Arjun Saluja, Eleven.Eleven, Gaurav Gupta, Rahul Mishra, Rimzim Dadu, Ritesh Kumar, Samant Chauhan, Zubair Kirmani

Fashion Design Council of India has supported in the nomination process of above Indian designers.

International Woolmark Prize Jury Panel – (L-R) Sunil Sethi, Priya Tanna, Pradeep Hirani and Simon P. Lock

Pankaj and Nidhi was selected as the winner by iconic industry figures:
Priya Tanna, Editor-in-Chief – Vogue India
Pradeep Hirani, CMD – Kimaya Fashion Private Limited
Simon P Lock, Founder of Australian Fashion Week
Sunil Sethi, President – Fashion Design Council of India.

“The International Woolmark Prize has generated worldwide attention as more partners, retailers and media align themselves and their brands to help promote the outstanding talent that has been sourced from around the world,” explained Stuart McCullough, CEO of Australian Wool Innovation, owners of The Woolmark Company. “It has been a tough decision today and we look forward to supporting and working with Pankaj and Nidhi in the lead up to the finals in February where they have the chance to be awarded with the once in a lifetime opportunities that are on offer for the winner of the International Woolmark Prize .”

Simon P Lock from the Jury Panel with the models showcasing the 10 creations by shortlisted designers

There are five regional competitions – USA, Europe, China, Australia and India – over 70 nominees across 15 countries began the journey in 2012 which will come down to one designer as judged by the most important and influential fashion industry representatives across the globe. The winners of each regional competition receive a financial grant and will travel to London courtesy of The Woolmark Company to London Fashion Week in February 2013 where they will present an entire capsule collection of Australian Merino wool and an international winner will be selected. The international winner will have his/her designs stocked by leading global retailers including Bergdorf Goodman in the USA, Harvey Nichols in the UK, 10 Corso Como in Italy, Joyce in China, Eickoff in Germany and David Jones in Australia.