Australian fashion designers Akira Isogawa and Jonathan Ward will join the judging panel for the Fleece to Fashion Awards 2023.
Menswear brand MJ Bale has signed a sponsorship deal for the competition, with Australian Wool Innovation as gold sponsor.
The New England-based competition is open to designers at all levels of their careers, where they can enter wool garments across several style categories such as special occasion, athleisure and performance wear, wearable art, global cultures, wool re-imagined (recycled materials), and wedding.
There are also special awards for most marketable, innovation in wool, and encouragement.
With the support of the New England wool growers and local businesses, the open categories carry a $10,000 cash prize pool.
Other prizes include an all-expenses paid Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) internship and attendance at the international Woolmark Awards in Los Angeles, a bespoke mentorship with Isogawa, handpicked by him as part of the judging process, and the Oakholme Encouragement Award offering three $1,000 cash prizes for best emerging students.
“We are thrilled to offer these amazing opportunities to student designers that not only provide a fantastic career benefit to them but also an introduction to the world of wool, its versatility and useability across a broad range of clothing applications,” Fleece to Fashion chairman and Armidale wool grower Lachlan Fulloon said.
“Connecting the next generation of designers with the New England wool growing community fosters deep appreciation for how farming and fashion can work together to showcase this remarkable fibre and keep it on the world’s catwalks.”
Fleece to Fashion has been running for 40 years and will once again be hosted and judged at the Deeargee Wool Shed in Gostwyck, New South Wales later this year.