Australian fashion designer Dion Lee has revealed the first of his entries for the 2013 International Woolmark Prize which will be awarded during London Fashion Week in February.  Lee is hot favourite to take out the top award and will be a well-deserving winner if his first outfit is anything to go by.  The elegant one-piece hat and coat creation revealed by the Sydney-based designer will form part of his final six-piece collection. 

Lee reached the finals after being awarded the Australian regional Award on July 16, 2012 by a panel of experts. “Dion is the ideal designer ambassador for Australia,” explained designer and judge, Richard Nicoll. “I think he has a good chance of winning the overall international competition which would be a fantastic result for the perception of Australian fashion as a whole and inspiring for future generations of winners.”

“I am extremely excited to be the Australian winner of the International Woolmark Prize, especially being that Woolmark is an Australian brand with significant heritage within the industry and the origins of the world’s finest wool,” said Lee. “I am really looking forward to working further with Woolmark and presenting a new collection at London Fashion week February 2013 and showing alongside some of the most important designers in the world.”

The finalists, who have emerged from a total of 70 applicants nominated by fashion industry professionals in their respective regions, will meet at London Fashion Week on February 16 to compete for the ultimate prize of AUD$100,000 and commercialisation in the world’s most important retailers including Bergdorf Goodman in the USA, Harvey Nichols – UK, 10 Corso Como – Italy, Joyce – China and David Jones – Australia.

The International Woolmark Prize is a fashion design award that identifies the most important designers of the future whilst highlighting the modernity of Merino wool within their collections. The initiative crosses borders and cultures by recognising outstanding new talent from emerging and established fashion hotspots around the globe including: Australia, Asia, Europe, Middle East, USA.