DESIGNER FOCUS:
WOOLMARK PRIZE WINNERS
Meet Edward Crutchley, Angel Chen and i-am-chen
The International Woolmark Prize is one of the fashion industry’s most prestigious awards. Established in the early 1950s to promote and highlight the versatility of Australian wool internationally, it was won in its second year by legendary designers Karl Lagerfeld (for coats) and Yves Saint Laurent (for dresses) — Saint Laurent was just 18 years old, but his genius was recognised by a judging panel including Hubert de Givenchy and Pierre Balmain. The prize continues to herald the newest, and brightest, designers working with soft, fine Merino wool, and was this year judged by a panel including Alber Elbaz and Floriane de Saint Pierre. Here we meet three finalists we’re especially excited about…