Woolmark Announces 2020 International Woolmark Prize Expert Advisory Council

09/07/2019 | by Eco-Age

Livia Firth, Sarah Mower and Sara Sozzani Maino amongst fashion industry experts announced for this year’s International Woolmark Prize Advisory Council.

Our creative director Livia Firth is one of the experts announced as the Advisory Council for the next International Woolmark Prize, who will face the tough challenge of selecting 10 designers to participate in the International Woolmark Prize global final, to be held early-2020. The 2019/20 edition of the International Woolmark Prize attracted more than 300 applications from across the world and the 10 finalists will be announced in October 2019.

Now in its eighth year, the International Woolmark Prize crosses borders and cultures to discover, nurture and celebrate outstanding talents who showcase the beauty and versatility of Merino wool. Boasting a prestigious alumni of more than 400 designers, experts and taste-makers, the programme receives international success and this year attracted submissions from nearly 50 countries, from France, England, the USA, Italy and Australia to first-time entrants from Peru, Ecuador, Hungry and Armenia.

“The International Woolmark Prize is a fashion institution that nurtures emerging talent and gives designers a global platform to help grow their businesses,” says Livia. “Each year we see designers from around the world bring their unique vision and innovative methods to reimagine the possibilities of Australian Merino wool in a more sustainable way. I am proud to support this incredible awards programme and look forward to meeting the finalists, seeing their wool creations in 2020, learn from them and get inspired even more.”

Alongside Livia, the International Woolmark Prize Advisory Council includes Sarah Mower, chief critic,Vogue.com; Sara Sozzani Maino, deputy editor-in-chief, Vogue Italiaand Head of Vogue Talents; Tim Blanks, editor-at-large, Business of Fashion; Nelson Mui, director of fashion at Lane Crawford; Christiane Arp, editor in chief, Vogue Germany; among other fashion industry experts.