Following their exciting win at the European stage of the Woolmark Prize, irreverent knitwear label Sibling will go on to represent Britain and compete for the final international prize later this year.
Designers Joe Bates, Sid Bryan and Cozette McCreery, who jointly launch the label in 2008, had to present six sketches, along with one complete look made from Merino wool, to a judging panel that included knitwear heiress Angela Missoni, Godfrey Deeny, Susanne Botschen, Franca Sozzani, and Tim Blanks.
Their purple and lilac striped wool bodysuit and shaggy green jacket was a firm favourite, scooping them the $46,108 prize money, which will surely help fund the merino wool capsule collection that they must now create for the final stage.
With previous Woolmark Prize winners include Yves Saint Laurent and Karl Lagerfeld, the competition is an excellent platform for the designers, who have built up a loyal following in London for their menswear and its womenswear equivalent Sister by Sibling hallmarked by playful, colourful and alternative knitwear.
The final international prize includes $92,210 worth of funding and the opportunity to be stocked in top retailers globally, from Harvey Nichols and Saks Fifth Avenue to 10 Corso Como, Joyce and David Jones. It will be announced in February 2014.
