The Woolmark Prize has unveiled the collections for this year’s event, featuring a special collaboration with pioneering American artist Joan Jonas. This year’s theme, “Dialogue,” represents an important element in the creative process and serves as a letter to and for the next generation. The finalists include: A. Roege Hove, Bluemarble, Lagos Space Programme, Marco Rambaldi, Maxxij, Paolina Russo, RHUDE, & Robyn Lynch.
The eight finalists for the International Woolmark Prize will each develop six Merino wool looks as part of their Autumns/Winter 2023 collection, highlighting the innate versatility, innovative nature, and eco-credentials of Merino wool. The winner of the International Woolmark Prize will receive AU$200,000 to invest in the development of their business, while the Karl Lagerfeld Award for Innovation will be awarded to another finalist, with the winner receiving AU$100,000. The Woolmark Supply Chain Award will also be presented to celebrate outstanding contributions from a trade partner driving wool supply chain innovation.
In addition, all finalists will have the opportunity to be stocked at some of the world’s leading stores through the International Woolmark Prize Retailer Network. The alumni network of the International Woolmark Prize is also impressive, featuring iconic designers such as Karl Lagerfeld, Yves Saint Laurent, and Valentino Garavani, as well as recent winners such as Gabriela Hearst, Rahul Mishra, BODE, Matty Bovan, and Saul Nash.
Alongside the collections, the Woolmark Prize has also partnered with Joan Jonas to create a contemporary restaging of one of her most iconic works, Delay Delay (1972), with the 86-year-old artist starring alongside Hollywood actress Taylour Paige and recording artist Loyle Carner. The project is a part of The Woolmark Company’s mission to establish dialogue and connect leading design talent with industry players to collectively envision a more sustainable future. Furthermore, Joan Jonas will be the subject of a major retrospective at MoMA in 2024.
