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

Editorial TeamEditorial Team
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May 4th, 2015
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9:00 AM

The search is on again for the next International Woolmark Prize winner. Ten designers have been shortlisted as the British Isles finalists for 2015-2016. Separated into women's and men's wear, one winner from each category will go on to compete against their respective finalists from the U.S., Asia, Australia, Europe and the Middle East. Meet Britain's best design newcomers in wool.

A. SauvageOf Ghanaian descent, British-born Adrien Sauvage is a stylist turned-fashion designer. With no formal training, Sauvage creates collections that reflect his personal philosophy, ‘Dress Easy’. His vision mixes luxury and sophistication with accessibility and minimal effort. With a specialisation in wool tailoring, his structured, boxy silhouettes are redefining London's suit.Agi & SamAgi & Sam are made up of Agi Mdumulla and Sam Cotton, who studied fashion at Manchester School of Art and illustration at University of Lincoln, respectively. With an emphasis on bespoke textiles and bright patterns, Agi & Sam sit smack bang in the middle of an outlandish aesthetic and the very extreme. The label shows seasonally at London fashion week.Craig GreenLondoner Craig Green graduated from Central Saint Martins in 2012. Green's marriage of minimal garments and dramatically sculptural body pieces is his signature, with a touch of military uniform appearing in Fall 2015. Green also continues to collaborate with various brands and designers on both one-off and commercialized projects. He shows at London fashion week.Fyodor GolanFyodor Golan is a London label made up of design duo Fyodor and Golan. The pair infuse texture and shape with clean geometrical silhouettes and sportswear aesthetics for women. Manipulating materials through new technology brings to life distinctive textiles and 3D embroideries. Fyodor studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp and Golan graduated from Istituto Marangoni in London. J. JS LeeKorean-born Jackie JS Lee moved to London in 2005 and graduated from her MA course at Central Saint Martins in 2010. Her women's wear label, J. JS LEE features chic, androgynous tailored pieces that strike a clean and crisp balance between structured silhouettes and flattering softness. She shows at London fashion week.Kit NealeKit Neale is known for its vibrant prints and abstract accents. Launched in 2012, the label is a modern interpretation of British menswear and mens style. Key design techniques include printed images, embroidery and woven fabrics. With six collections to date, Neale has collaborated with the Sky, Coca-cola and Opening Ceremony on select capsules.Lee RoachEnglish-born Lee Roach graduated from Central Saint Martins in 2010. His label combines traditional menswear elements with a new minimalism. Offering non-restrictive menswear, each piece is sophisticated by being stripped back of all superfluous components. Lee Roach presents during London Collections Men.Phoebe EnglishPhoebe English is luxury womenswear label creating garments of precision and beauty. Construction is paramount, as English embraces highly-intricate textiles - taking inspirations from a particular type of process or a feeling. And the designer respects the ‘mark of the maker’ - setting the label apart from mass-made fashion, with its ‘Made in England’ heritage. Teatum JonesCatherine Teatum and Rob Jones make up womenswear brand, Teatum Jones. Having trained at Ravensbourne and Central Saint Martin, the label is recognised for its modernist approach to elegance with anthropological narratives. Their artisanal designs have earned them the title of ‘textile pioneers’. Thomas TaitThomas Tait demonstrates a combination of structure and fluidity, giving a clear aesthetic to the garments and footwear he designs for women. Born in Montreal, Thomas completed a three-year technical diploma at Collège LaSalle in 2008 before doing his MA programme at London’s Central Saint Martins College.