London-based menswear designer Saul Nash was named the winner of the 2022 Woolmark International Prize at a special event in London on Tuesday.
South African fashion brand Mmusomaxwell has been selected for the Karl Lagerfeld Prize for Innovation. The winners will each receive AUD 200,000 (approx. EUR 135,000) and AUD 100,000 (approx. EUR 67,000) as well as ongoing support from the industry and the retail partners of the Woolmark Prize.
Nash has been praised for its modern use of merino wool, bridging active solutions to more formal needs.
Saul Nash replaces lycra with wool
“Everyone did well and could have won, but what Saul did coming out of ballet to replace lycra with wool was really incredible,” Burberry creative director Riccardo Tisci said in a statement.
Through his collection, Nash became familiar with the benefits of merino wool in athletic apparel and was able to develop materials that enhanced the quality of his designs without compromising their technical DNA. Nash also focused on minimizing waste and emphasized movement and performance. “Saul Nash’s modern take on knitwear challenges preconceived notions about athletic apparel,” was the official conclusion.
“Words cannot describe what this means to me. I am so thankful for what I have achieved in such a short amount of time over the past eight months. It really is the icing on the cake for everything Woolmark has done for me,” Nash said after the announcement.
Mmusomaxwell Receives 2022 Karl Lagerfeld Prize for Innovation
South Africa’s Mmuso Maxwell collection is dedicated to reducing environmental impact and improving traditional products. Each item therefore encourages slow and small-scale production through the use of local artisans to counteract overconsumption and allow for better product traceability. The jury praised the design duo for their passion, courage and commitment to enabling South African manufacturers to develop new skills.
“Winning means everything to us. It allows us to continue collaborating with artisans and further exploring merino wool, which is fantastic for us. It’s overwhelming,” explained Mmusomaxwell designers Maxwell Boko and Mmuso Potsane.