UK designers Catherine Teatum and Rob Jones behind the London-based brand Teatum Jones were announced the winners of the womenswear International Woolmark Prize 2016 this weekend in New York City. Known for creating designs that take shape from human chronicles and anthropological narratives, the pair presented a Merino wool capsule collection that drew inspiration from Foxford Woollen Mills in Ireland established by a nun in 1892. The lineup featured folklore patterned maxi dresses and skirts, fringed blanket capes, geometric motifs, and hand embroideries across separates.
Along with winning the cash prize, the Teatum Jones designers will receive a year of mentorship and the opportunity to distribute their capsule collection at premiere department stores and luxury online retailers such as Harvey Nichols in London, Saks Fifth Avenue in the USA, Mytheresa.com, Boutique1.com, and Matchesfashion.com.
The designer duo, representing the British Isles region, competed against five regional finalists for the grand prize of AU $100,000 (AED/SAR 260,992), which included Taller Marmo from the UAE, J Koo from South Korea, Tanya Taylor from the USA, Bianca Spender from Australia, and Nanna van Blaaderen from the Netherlands.
