Delhi-based designer Suket Dhir bags the Woolmark prize

Past winners include legendary names like Karl Lagerfeld and the late Yves Saint Laurent.

Indian designer Suket Dhir won the International Woolmark Prize (IWP) 2015-2016 in Florence on Wednesday. Twenty-three countries put forward submissions for one of fashion's most coveted prizes.
The Australia-based Woolmark Co. has been promoting the use of Merino wool, a natural yarn known for its fineness. The prize was launched in 1953 to promote what's termed as "Cool Wool" in the industry.
Past winners include legendary names like Karl Lagerfeld and the late Yves Saint Laurent.
Last year winners were New York label Public School who have since been appointed creative director of DKNY, this New York based fashion house is now apart of French mega fashion corporation Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy. This award is truly a door opener. Along with a substantial cash , winners get mentorships from leading global design names, as well as retail opportunities from international fashion stores like London's Harvey Nichols, New York's Saks Fifth Avenue and Dubai's Boutique 1.
Two years ago, Rahul Mishra became the first Indian to win the IWP, Mishra who has since gone on become a regular at Paris Fashion Week; fashion doyenne Suzy Menkes recently called Mishra "a national treasure."
The other finalists in this year's competition were from the United Kingdom, The Netherlands, South Korea, Australia and The United States. The finals took place at Pitti Uomo, considered to be one the most important bi-annual forum for men's clothing. Dhir is a Delhi based designer, known to be low profile, and has never showcased at a fashion week.
His winning collection uses traditional techniques like ikat textiles and Kasuti embroidery in a very clean and contemporary style.
He uses only natural fabrics and dyes. He said that the collection was a homage to his grandfather.
Dhir grew up in Banga near Jalandar, and says the area's mango orchids were the inspiration behind the collection.
Among the judges were Vogue Italy's Editor in Chief Franca Sozzani, fashion designer Haider Ackerman, Vice-President & Fashion Director Menswear, Home, Food & Gifts, Saks Fifth Avenue, Eric Jennings and Imran Amed, founder and editor Business of Fashion.
Says Amed, "We were entranced by the poetry and romanticism of the clothes he created and also by the little details that were revealed to us as he spoke. It was a true delight and an unexpected surprise."
Now Dhir can follow in the footsteps of 2014 winner Rahul Mishra, whose label has gone international after his IWP win.
"Dhir has been very consistent, he shared his work with me before going for completion and let me tell you with my experience as a winner, a judge for one season and also as a mentor he was a winner from day one.
He has very strong technique," says Mishra. Dhir was representing the region of India, Pakistan and the Middle East for the menswear round.
Next month the IWP women's wear finale will take place in New Year and representing the region are Dubai's Taller Marmo.
With the Dubai designers being strong contenders, it could be a double win for the region!

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