Christopher Esber wins Aussie International Woolmark Prize

A judging panel comprising Sophie Clark, General Manager Womenswear David Jones; Kellie Hush, Editor-in-Chief Harper’s BAZAAR; Simon Lock, CEO The Lock Group; Edwina McCann, Editor-in-Chief Vogue Australia; Scott Schuman, founder of The Sartorialist, selected the winner.

Scott Schuman talked of the nominees’ submissions, “The nominees did an amazing job of using old school techniques of tailoring and knitting, and marrying them with new technologies pointing a new direction for wool, that wool can be a fabric that is not just something that we have lived in all our lives but something that is going to be very important in the future.”

Christopher Esber was awarded for utilising innovative wool product developments in the form of deconstructed suiting.

"It is such an honour to win the Woolmark prize as it is the highest recognition my brand has received to date. Thank you to Australian Wool Innovation and Woolmark for my nomination and inclusion in this prestigious international award. I am so excited to represent Australia in Milan in February 2014,” explained Christopher Esber.

Chosen from amongst the eight most promising talents in Australian design, the winner gains a financial contribution of $50,000 AUD, plus the opportunity to compete in the prestigious international final, representing Australia , taking place in Milan in February 2014.

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

These designers will compete for the much sought-after final Woolmark International Prize, the winner being awarded  an additional $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 & Marketing Officer, The Woolmark Company explained, “We congratulate Christopher Esber on winning the Australian regional prize. With the exciting expansion of the prize across Asia and the Middle East, the International Woolmark Prize is a truly global celebration of emerging talent and an increasingly important opportunity to see commercial success on a global scale each year. We look forward to supporting Christopher and his journey toward the final event in Milan in February 2014.”

Woolmark