The final regional winner for the International Woolmark Prize has been revealed, with designer duo Pankaj & Nidhi set to represent India in the international contest.
Established back in the 1950s by Australian wool industry giant The Woolmark Company to celebrate the use of merino wool by emerging designers, the prize was re-launched this year.
Design icons including Yves Saint Laurent and Karl Lagerfeld are among previous recipients of the Woolmark Prize, which sees industry figureheads from areas including Europe, the USA and China each selecting a regional winner.
Pankaj & Nidhi were announced as the Indian Award winners July 20, meaning they take the final spot in the international competition alongside Christian Wijnants representing Europe, Sophie Theallet for the US, Ban Xiao Xue for China and Australia's Dion Lee.
The winners of each regional competition will receive a financial grant and will travel to London courtesy of The Woolmark Company to London Fashion Week in February 2013 before the international champion is named.
The final prize will be 100,000 Australian dollars (80,000 euros) to assist in their next fashion show, and the chance to design a collection that will be stocked in international retailers including UK department store Harvey Nichols and US retailer Bergdorf Goodman.
Delhi-based designer couple Pankaj & Nidhi, who launched their fashion label in 2006, were praised by the Woolmark Prize judges for their exciting use of color.
Their previous accolades include first prize in the International Fashion Award at the World Apparel Convention in Hong Kong back in 2010.
