Naomi Campbell and Riccardo Tisci in the jury of the Woolmark Prize

The International Woolmark Prize, The Woolmark Company's "talent incubation program" is back. It crosses borders and cultures to discover, nurture and celebrate exceptional talent to showcase the beauty and versatility of Merino wool. An exceptional panel of judges, made up of some of the most eminent names in the fashion industry, will attend the awards ceremony in London on 26 April, including: Tim Blanks, editor-at-large of BOF, supermodel and entrepreneur Naomi Campbell, Edward Enninful OBE, editor-in-Chief of British Vogue, Ben Gorham, founder and creative director of Byredo, Pieter Mulier, creative director of Alaïa, Carine Roitfeld, founder of CR Fashion Book, Riccardo Tisci Chief Creative Officer of Burberry, Nadège Vanhee-Cybulski, artistic director of Hermès women.

"The new generation is influencing us to make fashion more democratic, more engaged, more connected to the world - says Pieter Mulier, creative director of Alaïa - they are asking for an evolution, a radical change; clothes that last, that respect their bodies and the environment. I am thrilled to be part of the International Woolmark Prize, an initiative that strongly supports innovation, creation and sustainability." The list of finalists includes Peter Do, Egonlab, Rui, Saul Nash, Ahluwalia, Mmusomaxwell and Jordan Dalah.

Play, the theme of this year's program, will be a celebration of design and innovation through six looks in Merino wool for each of the seven finalists from around the world. The finalists were invited to experiment with textiles, design and business practices driving change and innovation for a brighter future. The overall winner will receive AU$200,000 while one designer will receive AU$100,000 for the Karl Lagerfeld Award for Innovation.