The Woolmark Company have announced the Australia and New Zealand nominees for the International Woolmark Prize for 2016/17. The regional award will be held on 6 July 2016 in Sydney.

The Australia and New Zealand nominees for the 2016/17 International Woolmark Prize are:

Womenswear
Daniel Avakian – Australia
macgraw – Australia
KACEY/DEVLIN – Australia
Roopa Pemmaraju – Australia
Georgia Alice – New Zealand
Harman Grubiša - New Zealand
Lucilla Gray - New Zealand

Menswear
EXINFINITAS – Australia
Chris Ran Lin – Australia
SHHORN – Australia
AMXANDER – Australia

Eighty designers have been selected from 62 countries to participate in this year’s award, which showcases the superb qualities of Australian Merino wool.

Six regional events will be held during June and July in Hong Kong, Milan, Mumbai, New York, London, and Sydney. Nominees will present one look in Merino wool and a six-piece capsule concept to industry experts for the chance to represent their region at the final awards.

Twelve finalists will each receive a AU$50,000 financial contribution towards their next collection and an invitation to participate in the international finals.

The winners of the menswear and womenswear finals will receive a further AU$100,000 to assist with fabric sourcing and marketing of their collection along with invaluable mentoring from industry experts. In addition, both international winners will have the opportunity to have their collection distributed through prestigious international retail partners including Harvey Nichols in the UK, Saks Fifth Avenue in New York, David Jones in Australia, Boutique 1 in the UAE, Verso in Belgium, LECLAIREUR in Paris, Boon the Shop in South Korea, The Papillion in Indonesia and online through mytheresa.com (womenswear) and Matchesfashion.com (menswear).