Alessandro Sartori, Francesco Risso and Tim Blanks on the Woolmark Prize jury

In just a few days the winner of the Woolmark Prize will be awarded, at The Woolmark Company's «talent incubation programme» created with the aim of exploring different cultures and design methods to showcase the timeless beauty of merino wool. This year it will be held on 15 May, and as always the jury will include some of the leading figures in the fashion industry: Tim Blanks, editor-at-large of BoF, Alessandro Sartori, artistic director of Zegna, Carine Roitfeld, Caroline de Maigret, Elizabeth von der Goltz, Francesco Risso, creative director of Marni, John Roberts, managing director of The Woolmark Company, Pieter Mulier, artistic director of Alaïa, Salehe Bembury, Shaway Yeh, Sinéad Burke, and Tyler Mitchell.

«The International Woolmark Prize has always been a forerunner in the fashion industry, discovering new and young talents, encouraging creativity and ingenuity,» said Pieter Mulier, «at a time when new generations raise unprecedented challenges for the industry, it also becomes an essential process to develop and champion endless innovations capable of finding multiple answers. I am thrilled to be part of this unique experience that, year after year, embodies the future of fashion.» This year's finalists include A Roege Hove, Bluemarble, Lagos Space Program, Marco Rambaldi, MaxxiJ, Paolina Russo, Rhude and Robyn Lynch. The winner will receive 120,000 euros to invest in their business, while the runner-up will win the Karl Lagerfeld Award for Innovation, together with 60,000 euros. At the same time, the Woolmark Supply Chain Award will be presented, an initiative to pay tribute to one of the many business partners working for innovation in the wool industry.