Joseph Altuzarra wins US Woolmark International prize

A judging panel including Alexander Wang, Creative Director, Alexander Wang, Inc. and Balenciaga; Colleen Sherin, Senior Fashion Director, Saks Fifth Avenue; Malcolm Carfrae, EVP of Global Communications, Calvin Klein; Stefano Tonchi, Editor-in-Chief, W magazine; Steven Kolb, CEO, Council of Fashion Designers of America; Vanessa Friedman, Fashion Editor, the Financial Times and Michelle Lee, The Woolmark Company selected the winner.

Steven Kolb, Altuzarra model, Joseph Altuzarra

Steven Kolb, CFDA Chief Executive Officer, said, "The opportunity to help a designer like Altuzarra with such creative vision to have greater success is incredible. The International Woolmark Prize is about fostering a new generation of talent, recognizing and celebrating young designers and playing a role in bringing them to the next level."

Altuzarra was awarded for his stunning three piece wool outfit, which included wool shoes.

Chosen by the Council of Fashion Designers America (CFDA) as one of America’s ten most promising talents, the winner gains a financial contribution of $100,000 AUD, plus the opportunity to compete in the International competition, representing the US during the grand final event, taking place in Milano in February 2014.

For the next six months the designer will be required to develop a capsule collection in Merino wool, to be showcased during an extraordinary event which will showcase the five finalists which will be selected from across the globe.

These designers will compete for the final international prize – a further $100,000 AUD and the opportunity to be stocked in the most important retailers of the world including Harvey Nichols – London, Saks Fifth Avenue - NY, 10 Corso Como – Milan, Joyce – China, David Jones – Sydney and My Theresa – Germany and online.

Rob Langtry, Chief Strategy and Marketing Officer, The Woolmark Company explained, "The International Woolmark Prize is our commitment to educating the next generation of fashion industry leaders about the extraordinary potential of wool.

"We hope the inherent properties of wool will stimulate the designers’ creative thinking, so they encompass both intrinsic and extrinsic innovations to their collections. We wish all the designers participating in the Prize this year the best and we look forward to establishing an ongoing partnership with each of them who are the industry leaders of the future."

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