The woolmark prize has long marked the upward trajectory of many brilliant brands in fashion. Winners have included names like Ralph Lauren, Dion Lee, and the late Karl Lagerfeld. This year they rolled out the Yves-Klein-blue carpet at the Petit Palais to present the finalists’ collections and to announce 2023’s winners.
In the runner up categories; The Woolmark Supply Chain Award, which celebrates outstanding innovation in the focus on conscious production, goes to BYBORRE. The Dutch brand’s transparent production practices and “global ecosystem” supply chain allow for creative freedom and sustainable fashion to flourish. Think- Tom Sachs meets Greenpeace, meets Eckhaus Latta.
Next up, The Karl Lagerfeld Award For Innovation goes to the brand A.ROEGE HOVE, for the material mastery they demonstrated in their collection, manipulating merino wool into textiles which are structured, couture, and streamlined, as well as intricately delicate, and whimsical. Issey Miyake meets Iris Van Herpen meets Danish sensibility- hygge, if you will.
And now the singer, actress, model, and generational French it-girl, Lou Doillon takes the stage to announce the winner of the 2023 Woolmark Prize: LAGOS SPACE PROGRAMME. I have to say, I am absolutely not surprised. The brand’s sculptural gold and brass jewelry caught my eye from across the hall and contrasted brilliantly against their white and indigo textiles- taking inspiration from the traditional and turning it into something so very high-fashion. And the bags! The beaded bags! Phenomenal. Congratulations to designer Adeju Thompson, and to everyone involved in bringing this beautiful collection to life.
Bravo to this year’s winners, and to all who participated, because everyone is a winner really in the conversation on sustainable fashion.
Jean Charles de Castelbajac, “The winner is! LAGOS SP”
