Christian Wijnants wins the 2013 International Woolmark Prize, London

Woolmark Prize at London
During London Fashion Week, Woolmark hosted an event and catwalk show to announce the winner of the 2013 International Woolmark Prize. Belgian fashion designer, pictured here with two of his designs, beat five other contestants from around the globe to win the coveted accolade
(Image credit: Christian Wijnants)

When fashion designer Christian Wijnants came on stage on Saturday night to accept the International Woolmark Prize, he surely knew that he is bestowed the same career-propelling honour as the young Yves Saint Laurent and Karl Lagerfeld in 1954, when it was still called the prize of the International Wool Secretariat, and celebrated in Paris.

Euphorically air-kissing Donatella Versace Vogue Italia editor Franca Sozzani - both of whom were part of a high profile jury that also included Victoria Beckham, Diane von Furstenberg, and leading retailers - the 34-year old Belgian designer didn't hide his excitement about pocketing the $100,000 AUD industry endorsement, which will allow his brand to make the next step of growth and gain international exposure.

He convinced the panel with a capsule collection of seamless garments in bulbous shapes that underlined his sculptural approach towards fashion design. Differing from other awards, however, the Woolmark prize isn't purely led by aesthetic considerations. 'We want to be sure to create an opportunity for designers that can be merchandised,' said Stuart McCullough, CEO of the Australian Wool Innovation (AWI), the not-for-profit body that is collectively owned by 27,000 Australian woolgrowers, which invented the prize to globally promote fine Merino wool.

Since the 1960s, when man-made materials were introduced into fabric design on a competitive scale, the natural fibre has been been threatened by cheaper alternatives. High street retailers continue to pressure producers for low-cost merchandise, but the unique characteristics of wool, its comfort and wearability are hard to match by synthetics.

Christian Wijnants' collection will appeal to a new kind of post-modern customer, the so-called LOHAS (Lifestyle Of Health And Sustainability) consumer who values the eco-aspect of the product that renewably grows on the back of the Merino sheep. The designer's intriguing tie-dye knits and unusual shapes take wool decidedly into the 21st century.

Christian Wijnants wins the 2013 International Woolmark Prize at London

The 34-year old Wijnants gained a $100,000 AUD industry endorsement, which will allow his brand to make the next step of growth and gain international exposure

(Image credit: Christian Wijnants)

Christian Wijnants wins 2013 International Woolmark Prize in London

The prize - won in 1954 but the then relatively unknown Yves Saint Laurent and Karl Lagerfeld -was invented to globally promote fine Merino wool. Pictured here are the designs of Australian designer Dion Lee and Chinese designer Ban Xiao Xue

(Image credit: Christian Wijnants)

Woolmark Prize Christian Wijnants

Christian Wijnants launched his own brand after starting out in the industry as creative assistant for Dries Van Noten in Antwerp and Angelo Tarlazzi in Paris. His winning collection for Woolmark featured modern sculptural shapes and intriguing tie-dye knits

(Image credit: Christian Wijnants)

London International Woolmark Prize

Christian Wijnants for Woolmark

(Image credit: Christian Wijnants)

Woolmark Prize by Christian Wijnants


(Image credit: Christian Wijnants)

Woolmark Prize Sophie Theallet

Sophie Theallet was Azzedine Alaia’s right hand woman for ten years and translates the structural savoir-faire that she’s picked up in his Parisian atelier in her New York-based eponymous label. The collection has ‘a distinct focus on simplicity, and functionality for the modern woman,’ the designer said

(Image credit: Christian Wijnants)

London Woolmark Prize

Two Sophie Theallet designs at the Woolmark Prize

(Image credit: Christian Wijnants)

Woolmark Prize Dion Lee

Dion Lee, the Australian entry, plays with a sinuous silhouette, treating his looks as if a chic Moebius strip

(Image credit: Christian Wijnants)

London Woolmark Prize Dion Lee

Dion Lee

(Image credit: Christian Wijnants)

Woolmark Prize Ban Xiao Xue

Ban Xiao Xue, from China, looks at the artisanal roots of fashion design in a collection that features felted wool which seemingly 'grows' on a base silk-crepe

(Image credit: Christian Wijnants)

Christian Wijnants International Woolmark Prize at London

Ban Xiao Xue

(Image credit: Christian Wijnants)

Woolmark Prize Dressed Undressed

At Dressedundressed - designers Takeshi Kitazawa and Emiko Sato's label hailing from Japan - the Merino wool is worked into an irregular tweed fabric, adding a rustic, crafty feel to the futuristic looks

(Image credit: Christian Wijnants)

Woolmark Prize Dressedundressed

Dressedundressed

(Image credit: Christian Wijnants)

Woolmark Prize Pankaj Nidhi

Pankaj & Nidhi, the work and life couple from India have a preference for deep, jewel-toned colours. They also favour extravagant textures, and created a fringe for a dress with Merino fur that was constructed like a pom pom

(Image credit: Christian Wijnants)

The Woolmark Prize at London

Pankaj & Nidhi

(Image credit: Christian Wijnants)