Woolmark prize winner Wijnants to launch collection

The Antwerp-based designer was awarded the coveted prize in February 2013 in London after impressing an esteemed judging panel including Franca Sozzani, Victoria Beckham and Diane Von Furstenberg with his feminine and innovate Merino wool collection.

The limited edition collection will be exclusively stocked globally in International Woolmark Prize retail partner stores including Harvey Nichols – UK, Bergdorf Goodman – USA, 10 Corso Como – Milan and Joyce – China and David Jones – Australia.

Thecapsule collection is based on the simple idea of starting from a single white yarn and exploring all its potential by knitting with one type of yarn in 100 per cent Merino wool, on seamless garments, knitted in one piece.

On working with the fibre Christian explained,“Merino wool has a natural sophistication, unpretentious luxury, and accessible yet timeless material.”

Comprising six covetable looks,the collection includesshibori-dyedsculptural knits, circular knit cocoon coats and fine knit Merino dresses.Wijnantsadopted hand-knitting and hand-dyeing techniques to inject a deep pallet inspired by crystals and minerals into the yarn, experimenting to obtain unique shades. Every piece was dyed with innovative techniques, and some were unravelled and then re-knitted to create a unique irregular effect.

Woolmark Prize judge, Franca Sozzani, Editor-in-chief of Vogue Italia and L’Uomo Vogue, described the collection, “Christian invented a new shape and made it possible with an industrial production process. His designs are flattering, feminine and sexy, a modern interpretation of wool.”

“The objective of reinstating this historic prize was to highlightwool innovation at the hands of the next generation of designers,” explained Stuart McCullough, CEO of Australian Wool Innovation, owners of The Woolmark Company. “Christian’s collection is a fine example of this as it brings to life woollen yarn, knitted in organic shapes, but with a strong modern twist that appeals at a commercial level.”

About Christian Wijnants:

Christian Wijnants is an Antwerp-based fashion designer. Born in Brussels, Christian moved to Antwerp in 1996 to study fashion design at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts. His graduate collection won the Christine Mathijs prize for best collection from Dries Van Noten in 2000.

About The Woolmark Company:

The Woolmark is the world’s best known textile fibre brand, established in 1964.

The Woolmark Company and brand are owned by Australian Wool Innovation (AWI), a not-for-profit company owned by more than 25,000 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.

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