T
he internationally illustrious The Woolmark Prize rebounds with Pitti Uomo with its 2017-18 global final took place on 9th January 2018. The special event was held at Stazione Leopolda in Florence. The final showcased both Menswear and Womenswear.
Matthew Miller, a British designer was announced the menswear winner. He was stimulated by the designer and philosopher Dieter Rams and took the idea ‘form follows function’ in order to create his work worthy and suitable for various habitats. He included the garment belt system which can also turn garment into an accessory in snuggly atmosphere. The British Designer using his skills served wool with diversifications that added ingenious treatments to originate water resistant fabrics and has eliminated the involvement of plastics by choosing recycle material instead; such as waste marble. He has used Australian Merino wool that ranges from 17.5 to 20.5 microns and his multi-layered collection evinces the label’s design, philosophy, developing the inherent character if each piece.
Furthermore, event also discerned womenswear winner Bodice and the newly introduced; The Innovation Award was granted to DYNE for their wool-rich collection.
This year’s award nomination had 65 proficient designers from more than 60 countries with finalists representing six different regions worldwide. The global finalists included;
MENSWEAR
 Six Lee (Asia)
 BLAIRARCHIBALD (Australia & New Zealand)
 Matthew Miller (British Isles)
 L’Homme Rouge (Europe)
 Antar-Agni (India, Pakistan and Middle East)
 DYNE (USA)
WOMENSWEAR
 KYE (Asia)
 Harman Grubiša (Australia & New Zealand)
 Le Kilt (British Isles)
 David Laport (Europe)
 Bodice (India, Pakistan and Middle East)
 Zaid Affas (USA)
Both the winners, Matthew and Bodice will be acquired an amount of AU$ 200,000 individually in order to assist and boost up the development of their business. Moreover, they will be given Woolmark’s certification for their winning collection and will also receive the desirable aspect for every designer; the existing industry mentor support. They will also have a golden chance to represent their collections in some of the world’s renowned departments and boutiques such as Boutique 1, Boon The Shop, David Jones, Harvey Nichols, Hudson’s Bay, Lane Crawford, LECLAIREUR, ORDRE, Parlour X, Ssense.com, Sugar, Takashimaya, Tata CLiQ Luxury and mytheresa.com.
The Innovation Award:
It is a new component which has been added among the respected prizes of this year along with The Woolmark Company fortifying its adherence in order to support the emerging design talent and giving limelight on the supply chain partners who have helped with the development of disruptive wool fabric and yarn. The Innovation Award will be granted to the finalist who manifests the most exhilarating strategy to succour its communal and environmental impression. The award is powered by the Fashion Tech Lab. The winner of the Innovation Award will be granted AU$100,000 and will also have a way open to many commercial scopes.
