The Allet US Finalist For Woolmark

 

 

After being unravelled by competition from cheap cashmere and hi-tech fabrics, Australian wool returned to the fashion map in New York yesterday with designer Sophie Theallet announced as the US finalist in the International Woolmark Prize.

Theallet faced stiff competition from Prabal Garung and Naeem Khan before winning $100,000 and going in the running for the top prize, a further $100,000 and the opportunity for her clothes to be stocked in US department store Bergdorf Goodman, London's Harvey Nichols, Italy's 10 Corso Como and David Jones in Australia.Chinese, Indian and European finalists will be announced in the coming days, with the Australian finalist to be announced on Monday.

Australian designers Dion Lee, Magdalena Velevska, Christopher Esber, Kym Ellery, Song For The Mute and Carl Kapp could win $50,000 and the opportunity to represent their country at the finals in February at London Fashion Week."The International Woolmark Prize was initiated through the evolution of the global marketing campaign and the need to reinforce merino wool's position as a premium product supplying the world's luxury brands," Woolmark managing director Stuart McCullough said."The designers who have been nominated for the prize are the fashion leaders and decision-makers of the future."The International Woolmark Prize is awarded to budding designers.