COTTWEILER and Faustine Steinmetz have been announced as the menswear and womenswear winners, respectively, of the 2016/17 International Woolmark Prize British Isles regional final. Chosen from among the most promising fashion design talents from the British Isles, both winners gain a financial contribution of AU$50,000 (approximately £28,6171), plus the opportunity to represent the British Isles and compete in the international final.

In addition, each winner will receive mentoring support from a global panel of experts along with being granted a Woolmark licence. For the next six months, the winning designers will be required to develop a capsule collection in Merino wool, to be showcased at one of two  events that will highlight the six menswear finalists and six womenswear finalists selected from across the globe. The final for menswear will be held on schedule during London Collections Men and the womenswear final will be held in Paris, both in January 2017. The winners of the menswear and womenswear global finals will receive a further AU$100,000 (approximately £57,2341) to assist with fabric sourcing and marketing of their collection, as well as mentoring from industry experts.

In addition, both international winners will have the opportunity to have their collection distributed through the prize's prestigious international retail partner network including Harvey Nichols in the UK, David Jones in Australia, Boutique 1 in the UAE, Verso in Belgium, LECLAIREUR in Paris, Boon the Shop in South Korea, The Papilion in Indonesia and online throughmytheresa.com (womenswear) and MATCHESFASHION.COM (menswear).

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Woolmark in 'fashion & accessories'