Exinfinitas & Macgraw win Woolmark Prize regional finals

Exinfinitas and Macgraw have been named winners of the 2016/17 International Woolmark Prize Australia and New Zealand regional final in the menswear and womenswear categories, respectively.

In womenswear, Beth and Tessa Macgraw showed a two-piece look. One an overcoat made of 17-18 micron Australian Merino wool and another, a pure wool dress made of 19.5 micron suiting fabric from Shandong Ruyi.

Menswear winner Exinfinitas fused surf culture with tailoring in an innovative way using 100 per cent Australian Merino wool in different weights and textures to offer a modern take on menswear.

Designer Lukas Vincent's piece involved a suiting fabric of 19.5 micron from Shandong Ruyi Textiles as well as Merino wool from 15 microns to 21.5 microns.

Lukas Vincent said, "I am super excited to win the International Woolmark Prize as it means so much for my business, to continue pushing Australian fashion not only in Australia but internationally as well."

Chosen from amongst the most promising fashion design talents, regional winners gain a financial contribution of AU $50,000, plus the opportunity to compete in the prestigious international final.

In addition, each winner will receive mentoring support from a global panel of experts along with being granted a Woolmark licence.

The final for menswear will be held during London Collections Men and the womenswear final will be held in Paris, both in January 2017.