Christian Wijnants wins International Woolmark prize

Designer Christian Wijnants from Europe has been named the winner of the 2013 International Woolmark Prize, beating an Indian contender.

"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," Franca Sozzani, editor-in-chief of Vogue Italia and L'Uomo Vogue said in a statement.

Wijnants competed with five other finalists from Australia, China, Japan, US and India in the final round.

Well-known names from the fashion and the retail industry - Diane Von Furstenberg, co-chairman and founder of Diane von Furstenberg Studio LP, Donatella Versace, creative director and vice president of Gianni Versace S.p.A, and singer-designer Victoria Beckham, judged the finale, which was held Feb 16 at ME Hotel in London.

Wijnants has received an amount of 100,000 Australian dollar along with an opportunity to be stocked in the most important boutiques around the globe including Harvey Nichols in London, Bergdorf Goodman in New York, 10 Corso Como in Milan, Joyce in China, David Jones in Sydney and Eickhoff Konigsallee in Germany.

Launched in Australia in 1954, the International Woolmark Prize nurtures emerging designers and highlights the diverse interpretations of Merino wool (a fibre that is incredibly easy-to-handle and versatile) within their collection.