Lagos Space Programme, the innovative label led by Adeju Thompson, claimed the highly esteemed 2023 International Woolmark Prize during an enchanting ceremony held at the Petit Palais in Paris on Monday, May 15th. As the winner, the Nigerian designer will be presented with a generous cash prize of $134,000 (or 200,000 Australian dollars), in addition to valuable business mentorship and the opportunity to have their designs stocked by renowned fashion retailers.
Amongst the eight finalists, Lagos Space Programme was tasked with incorporating six merino wool looks into their upcoming Fall 2023 collections or creating a standalone capsule line. The aim was to emphasize the remarkable versatility and sustainable nature of merino wool.
A distinguished panel of industry experts, including esteemed fashion designers Francesco Risso, Pieter Mulier, and Alessandro Sartori, evaluated the wool creations crafted by the finalists. Joining them on the judging panel were footwear designer Salehe Bembury, photographer Tyler Mitchell, and Elizabeth von der Goltz, the Chief Executive Officer of Browns and Chief Fashion and Merchandising Officer for Farfetch.
Amalie Roege Hove, the talented designer behind Danish knitwear brand A. Roege Hove, was honored as the runner-up and recipient of The Karl Lagerfeld Award for Innovation. Amalie will receive $67,000 (or 100,000 Australian dollars) for her exceptional contributions. Additionally, the Woolmark Supply Chain Award celebrated the outstanding achievements of textile innovation studio Byborre in driving innovation within the wool supply chain.
The 2023 competition also featured other exceptional finalists, including U.S. brand Rhude, South Korean brand Maxxij, French brand Bluemarble, Irish men’s label Robyn Lynch, Italian brand Marco Rambaldi, and London-based brand Paolina Russo. Their presence further showcased the diverse talent and creativity within the global fashion landscape.
The International Woolmark Prize has a rich history of recognizing outstanding designers. Previous winners include the talented Saul Nash, Matty Bovan, Rahul Mishra, Gabriela Hearst, as well as fashion icons Yves Saint Laurent, Karl Lagerfeld, and Valentino Garavani. These esteemed names serve as a testament to the prize’s ability to identify and support exceptional talent, shaping the future of the fashion industry.