The International Woolmark Prize connects the world's best emerging design talent with the world's most important retailers, mentors and suppliers.
Innovation Academy
The Woolmark Company’s Innovation Academy provides designers with a robust eight-month education and mentoring program, offering unparalleled access to International Woolmark Prize partners and mentors supporting product development, research and development, business and sustainability strategies.

Close to Clothes approaches branding from a responsible point of view. Each creation is produced with respect for humans and the environment. Close to Clothes prioritises the use of eco-friendly materials and have established production processes that are certified and sustainable.

Common Objective makes it easier for businesses to work in the most sustainable way and to build successful businesses, with a positive impact for people and the environment.

Blue Bite empowers brands to create digital experiences out of their physical products for a more direct, personalized and authentic consumer relationship.

Hologarment is a VR fashion design platform based on virtual reality and virtual enhancement technology. Through the self-developed physical simulation engine, fabric simulation system and special human-computer interaction function of VR equipment, the software can achieve a more convenient, intelligent and faster clothing design experience.

Queen of Raw is a marketplace to buy and sell unused textiles, keeping them out of landfills and turning pollution into profit.

Byborre is an Amsterdam based textile innovation studio working on the frontiers of material development, functionality and aesthetics through engineered knits.

TIPA’s compostable packaging accommodates a diverse range of fully compostable packaging applications for fashion and helps designers and fashion houses reinforce sustainability ethos throughout their supply chain, ensuring that your carefully manufactured clothing makes it to its destination safely and sustainably, with exceptional brand impact.
The International Woolmark Prize connects the world’s best emerging design talent with the world’s most important boutiques and retailers. Through The Woolmark Company’s valued retail network, designers have the opportunity to enter new markets, reach new clients and build important relationships to develop and commercialise their brand. As supporters of the prize, these retail partners are investing in the future of the fashion industry and reaffirming Merino wool’s position as the ultimate luxury fibre.
The International Woolmark Prize has brought together an experienced collective of progressive international partners at different stages of the supply chain and manufacturing process who are able to support designers with product ideation, development and commercial realisation of concepts. The trade partner program fosters more meaningful and sustainable product outcomes for both the designer and the manufacturer. Products will be showcased at the global final event and supported by a global trade communications strategy.
If you are a designer and interested in being connected with any of the below trade partners, please contact prize@wool.com.
Entry to participate in the International Woolmark Prize is available to any brand worldwide which meets the application criteria. These applications are then reviewed by a panel of industry experts committed to reviewing outstanding achievers fashion, designers who are in the early stages of their career and who have shown promise and dedication in growing a business though are yet to be established in a global sense.