Duran Lantink recognized for sustainability-driven design; Pieter Mulier awarded for innovation
Duran Lantink has been awarded the 2025 International Woolmark Prize, with Pieter Mulier of Alaïa receiving the inaugural Karl Lagerfeld Award for Innovation. The winners were announced during a live event in Milan, directed by IB Kamara and chaired by Donatella Versace, who led this year’s jury.
The International Woolmark Prize is known for highlighting global emerging talent and advocating for sustainable fashion practices centered on natural fibers. Past winners and finalists have included major fashion figures such as Karl Lagerfeld, Yves Saint Laurent, Giorgio Armani, and Donna Karan.
Lantink, whose label operates between Amsterdam and Paris, is recognized for an evolving approach to sustainability through a mix of repurposed garments, deadstock, and new eco-conscious materials. For his Woolmark collection, Lantink expanded on earlier work with Merino wool, creating pieces inspired by historic Dutch knitting methods. The collection features garments constructed through a community-led process by 12 Dutch artisans, combining 3D reconstructed knitwear with recycled military sweaters and custom woven checks.
“Incorporates 3D reconstructed knitwear while including historical Dutch knitting techniques. The use of recycled army sweaters, combined with innovative woven check patterns, merges sustainability with craftsmanship,” the Woolmark team noted in its announcement.
“This opportunity allows me to further elevate my work and take a valuable step in shaping the future direction of Duran Lantink,” the designer stated. “I am truly honoured to be selected as a finalist for the 2025 International Woolmark Prize, recognising my brand’s commitment to innovation and sustainability.”
Lantink’s profile has grown through critical acclaim and celebrity collaborations. His past clients include Beyoncé, Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa, Doja Cat, and Lily-Rose Depp. His designs are also featured in the permanent collections of institutions such as the Met Costume Institute, Victoria & Albert Museum, and Stedelijk Museum.
Retailers that have carried his collections include Dover Street Market, JOYCE in Hong Kong, Browns London, and H. Lorenze in Los Angeles. In recent years, he has received both the 2023 ANDAM Special Prize and the 2024 Karl Lagerfeld Prize.
Pieter Mulier, creative director of Alaïa, was recognized separately with the Karl Lagerfeld Award for Innovation, honoring his contributions to wool development and craftsmanship within the house’s collections.
The judging panel included IB Kamara, Law Roach, Alessandro Sartori, Tim Blanks, Sinéad Burke, Honey Dijon, Alessandro Dell’Acqua, Simone Marchetti, Roopal Patel, and Danielle Goldberg, alongside Versace.
The International Woolmark Prize continues to function not just as an award but as a business development platform, supporting design futures focused on sustainability and textile innovation across global markets.
