INDIA WINNER ANNOUNCED INTERNATIONAL WOOLMARK PRIZE
19 July 2012, New Delhi Pankaj and Nidhi was today announced as the winner for the International Woolmark Prize India Award.
The Woolmark Company relaunched the International Woolmark Prize this year to help promote outstanding design talent from around the world, and through its design innovations inspire and educate consumers on the natural beauty of Merino wool.
Ten of the most talented Indian designers vied for the award today including:
Fashion Design Council of India has supported in the nomination process of above Indian designers.
Pankaj and Nidhi was selected as the winner by iconic industry figures:
Priya Tanna, Editor-in-Chief – Vogue India
Pradeep Hirani, CMD – Kimaya Fashion Private Limited
Simon P Lock, Founder of Australian Fashion Week
Sunil Sethi, President – Fashion Design Council of India
“The International Woolmark Prize has generated worldwide attention as more partners, retailers and media align themselves and their brands to help promote the outstanding talent that has been sourced from around the world,” explained Stuart McCullough, CEO of Australian Wool Innovation, owners of The Woolmark Company. “It has been a tough decision today and we look forward to supporting and working with Pankaj and Nidhiin the lead up to the finals in February where they have the chance to be awarded with the once in a lifetime opportunities that are on offer for the winner of the International Woolmark Prize .”
There are five regional competitions – USA, Europe, China, Australia and India over 70 nominees across 15 countries began the journey in 2012 which will come down to one designer as judged by the most important and influential fashion industry representatives across the globe. The winners of each regional competition receive a financial grant and will travel to London courtesy of The Woolmark Company to London Fashion Week in February 2013 where they will present an entire capsule collection of Australian Merino wool and an international winner will be selected.
The international winner will have his/her designs stocked by leading global retailers including Bergdorf Goodman in the USA, Harvey Nichols in the UK, 10 Corso Como in Italy, Joyce in China, Eickoff in Germany and David Jones in Australia.
Pankaj and Nidhi
Pankaj & Nidhi launched their fashion label in 2006 and since then the duo has won both critical acclaim as well as commercial success, with innovative yet wearable clothes. Celebrated for their fresh and crisp sensibility, this powerhouse couple pushes the envelope when it comes to style and elegance. Their creations are charming and spontaneous, with generous use of colours, inspired by craftsmanship, symbolic and cultural objects. Pankaj & Nidhi invent a contemporary language, create clothes that tell stories, for women who love freedom and authenticity and are always on a quest for originality. Pankaj & Nidhi have been honoured with the Elle Style Award for best debutant designer in 2008 and the Elle Style Award for best women’s pret-aporter in 2009. In 2010 the couple also won first prize at the International Fashion Award at the World Apparel Convention in Hong Kong.
About the International Woolmark Prize:
The International Woolmark Prize crosses borders and cultures by seeking outstanding and emerging talent from around the world, aligning the support of emerging designers with the evolution of emerging countries. It is an award for the next generation, shifting the focus from glamour to true talent as a way to highlight wool’s eco credentials. It is Woolmark’s social commitment, a sharing of resources to support local artisans.
In keeping with a long tradition of supporting individual excellence in design, the International Woolmark Prize aims to highlight the beauty of the Merino wool fibre at the hands of the world’s finest designers.
The award has been supported internationally by key fashion councils including the Council of Fashion Designers America, British Fashion Council, Fashion Design Council of India, Chambre Syndicale De La Couture, Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Madrid and Premsela Foundation.
About The Woolmark Company:
The Woolmark is the world’s best known textile fibre brand, established in 1964.
The Woolmark brand is owned by Australian Wool Innovation (AWI), a not-for-profit company owned by over 29,000 woolgrowers. AWI’s vision is to be a significant contributor to a vibrant, stable and profitable wool industry providing the world with the best natural fibre. The company works throughout the global supply chain from woolgrowers through to retailers.
The company mission is to enhance the profitability, international competitiveness and sustainability of the Australian wool industry; and increase demand and market access for Australian wool.
Merino wool provides stability, durability, softness and luxury to the tailoring industry. The fibre has long been a favourite of designers, but younger consumers, born in an era of ‘disposable’ fashion know too little about the natural benefits.
Wool is a 100% natural and renewable fibre. Sheep live on grass, water, fresh air and sunshine. Wool is a fibre that is grown not manmade. Every year sheep produce a new fleece; making wool a renewable fibre source.
