The International Woolmark Prize returns to Milan in April and to mark that there’s a strong Italian contingent on the jury as eight of the world’s most promising design talents compete for the accolade and cash prize.
The jury
And the biggest name joining the select group is Donatella Versace, Versace, who recently announced that she’ll step down from the creative helm of her label to become its chief brand ambassador as of the start of next month. She’s the chair of the judges this time.
Also on the panel is Alessandro Sartori, artistic director of Zegna; Alessandro Dell’Acqua, N°21 founder and creative director; and Simone Marchetti, Vanity Fair European editorial director and Vanity Fair Italia editor-in-chief.
But it’s not an all-Italian affair with the prize’s guest artistic director IB Kamara, and “image architect” Law Roach, among others, judging the finalists.
Donatella Versace said: “Supporting the next generation of fashion talent has never been more important. I am so excited to host the Woolmark Prize in our home city of Milan and to meet the designers selected. I am sure they will all be winners in their own way. I am honoured to be chair of the judging panel for the 2025 Woolmark Prize alongside my fellow amazing judges. Woolmark has always been such fantastic supporters of the future of fashion.”
The finalists for the prize this time include Italy’s Act N°1, Duran Lantink from the Netherlands, Belgium’s Ester Manas, and Meryll Rogge, France’s LGNLouis Gabriel Nouchi, and London-based Irish label Standing Ground.
The 2025 final event is the first edition of the International Woolmark Prize in its new biennial format. One finalist will be awarded the International Woolmark Prize and receive the increased prize fund of A$300,000 for business development, while all of them “will have the opportunity to be stocked at some of the world’s leading stores”.
