Merino Wool: Meet America's Woolmark Prize Finalists For 2016

David HartIn 2004, David Hart received his BFA in fashion design, with a specialization in evening wear and tailoring. Starting out with a material-focused tie and neckwear line, Hart produced his first line in 2013. His modern and tailored approach to men's wear and style sees him creating confident yet approachable clothing for New York's dapper gentleman. Look for historical referencing in his collections, paired with a sportswear accent.Chris GelinasNew York-based womenswear designer, Chris Gelinas challenges traditional design through technical and innovative fabric. Always luxurious, Gelinas locally produces much of his collection in New York with the highest level of skill and craftsmanship.Canadian-born, the designer graduated Parsons School of Design. He refined his technical skills at Marc Jacobs, Proenza Schouler, Balenciaga, and was first assistant to Olivier Theyskens at Theyskens’ Theory.CadetBrooklyn's Cadet is run by Raul Arevalo and Brad Schmidt. Launched in 2011, the men's wear label is founded on the aesthetic of post-war military academia. It offers suiting, shirts, pants, outerwear and knits that capture the essence of the Forties, Fifties and Sixties. Born in Mexico City, Raul started his career in Technical Design at Abercrombie and Fitch. Originally from Seattle, Brad previously worked as a technology integration consultant. KaelenCanadian- born designer Kaelen Haworth runs her eponymous Kaelen label from New York. Haworth attended Parsons, and launched her first collection during New York fashion week in 2010. Minimalism and subtle details, combine to form a traditional and innovative aesthetic; exploring the stereotypes of masculine and feminine.Lucio CastroArgentinian Lucio Castro is a menswear designer based in New York. The label focuses on clean and ethical production, offering contemporary menswear with attention to texture, unique fabrics, and masculine proportions. Castro’s passion for filmmaking - building a character through clothing. After graduating from film at the University of Buenos Aires in 1999, Castro moved to New York to study fashion design at Parsons.Nellie PartrowMinimalist Nellie Partrow is a ready-to-wear women's designer, which exudes femininity and culture. Graduating from Parsons School of Design, Partow went on to Calvin Klein, as the women’s knits and wovens designer. She launched her namesake collection in Fall 2011, and has since built a reputation for impeccable finishing, innovative fabrics, and distinctive design aesthetic.NovisNew Yorker Jordana Warmflash helms women’s ready-to-wear brand, Novis. Warmflash combines unconventional colors, bold prints and unique textures with feminine, tailored silhouettes. The Novis aesthetic is vibrant and sophisticated, with Warmflash believing her designs should enhance a woman’s sense of confidence while embracing her irreverence.Siki ImGerman-born Siki Im strives to challenge high-end menswear; an exploration of traditional tailoring with artisanal designs. Im moved to the UK to study architecture, before he started his career in fashion in New York as Senior Designer for both Karl Lagerfeld and Helmut Lang. He introduced his first collection in 2009.Tanya Taylor Canada's Tanya Taylor launched her eponymous collection in 2012. From New York, Taylor takes a youthful approach mixed with the power of simple feminine shapes. The designer offers an pop color and feature prints. After studying finance at McGill University, Tanya enrolled in a summer fashion course at Central Saint Martins and continued into the AAS Fashion Studies program at Parsons.Thaddeus O’NeilThaddeus O’Neil is a menswear label of American luxury playwear for après-surf. Made in New York, the line features bold prints, bright colors and rich textures, constructed of the highest quality materials. O’Neil believes that true luxury is the touch of nature and real refinement of ocean and the land.