A first glance at the International Woolmark Prize finalists' collections

Anticipation is building as we come closer and closer to this year’s International Woolmark Prize draws near. The honorary award celebrates the height of outstanding fashion talent around the world, looking towards the beauty, versatility and potential of Australian Merino Wool. Previous winners include Soul Nash, Matty Bovan, Richard Malone and a Glamcult favourite, Edward Crutchley. This year’s honorary finalists have officially been chosen to showcase their collections in a charming campaign led by the incredible talents featured.

The finalists include conceptual knitwear brand A. ROEGE HOVE, french menswear brand BLUEMARBLE, non-binary, luxury design project Lagos Space Programme, alongside MARCO RAMBALDI, MAXXIJ, RHUDE, Robyn Lynch and London’s knitwear designer and illustrator Paolina Russo, each bringing their futuristic vision to the world of wool in fashion.

Celebrating the 2023 International Woolmark Prize finalists, they present DIALOGUE: “a short film creating an intergenerational dialogue between iconic artist Joan Jonas and the next generation of leading design talent”, namely artists like Loyle Carner and Taylour Paige. This contemporary re-imagining of Jonas’, Delay Delay (1972) showcases today’s creative game-changers alongside emblematic props on the exquisite coast of Marseille, France.

As the suspense inevitably builds, we have to acknowledge that such an incredible campaign has given a new wave of visibility for the finalists’ collections to a broader audience beyond the fashion walls, advocating for sustainable and mindful fashion and exploring uncharted territories in the fashion industry.