A judging panel comprising local and International industry experts including Imran Amed - Founder, The Business of Fashion; Manish Arora - Designer; Peter Ackroyd - President, International Wool Trade Organisation; Simon Lock - CEO of The Lock Group; and Sunil Sethi, President of FDCI selected the winner.

Rahul Mishra was awarded for his stunning wool outfit which presented the idea that seeks to portray the journey of the human race and the process of metamorphosis that our planet has undergone in the past century. The winning garment displayed progressive graphic hand-embroidery with Merino wool yarn on a Merino wool jacket dress. The graphic design originates from an eight petal lotus to morph into complex structures.

Chosen from amongst the 10 most promising talents coming from India and the Middle East, the winner gains a financial contribution of $50,000 AUD, plus the opportunity to compete in the International competition, representing India and the Middle East at the grand final event, taking place in Milan in February 2014.

For the next six months Rahul Mishra will be required to develop a capsule collection in Merino wool, to be showcased alongside four regional finalists hailing from Asia, America, Australia and Europe.

This designer will compete for the final international prize - 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 Rahul on winning the India and Middle East regional prize. With the exciting expansion of the prize in this region, which now covers UAE, Pakistan and Lebanon, the award is becoming more competitive and more interesting each year. We look forward to supporting Rahul on his journey toward the final event in Milan in February 2014.”

Woolmark