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LONDON, United Kingdom — Belgian designer Christian Wijnants took home a $100,000 AUD (€77,200) cash prize and will have his pieces stocked in some of the world's most exclusive fashion boutiques.
The only major fashion award dedicated to designers working with wool, the International Woolmark Prize was awarded this weekend at a ceremony in London to 34-year-old Belgian designer Christian Wijnants.
"Christian invented a new shape and made it possible with an industrial production process," explained Vogue Italia editor Franca Sozzani. "His designs are flattering, feminine and sexy, a modern interpretation of wool."
The winner was selected by a panel of judges including fashion designers Victoria Beckham, Donatella Versace and Diane von Furstenberg, the aforementioned Sozzani, and Style.com's Editor-at-large Tim Blanks.
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The six finalists represented the fruits of a 12-month global search, designed to represent talents from different regions. The nominees were whittled down to a final six, who showed their capsule collections before a winner was announced:
Dion Lee - Australia
Ban Xiao Xue - China
Christian Wijnants - Europe (Belgium)
Pankaj and Nidhi - India
DRESSEDUNDRESSED - Japan
Sophie Theallet - USA
"I think that Woolmark are doing a wonderful thing supporting young designers," said Beckham, who commented on how impressed she was by the techniques on display.
Wijnants's winning capsule Merino wool collection started with a single white yarn in 100% Merino wool, which was worked into seamless, one-piece knitted garments.
The collection will go on sale from September 2013 in stores including Bergdorf Goodman, Sydney's David Jones, Harvey Nichols in London, Hong Kong's Joyce, and Milanese fashion emporium 10 Corso Como.
Copyright AFP Relaxnews, 2013.