Duran Lantink has been named the winner of the 2025 International Woolmark Prize. The announcement was made during an illustrious ceremony in Milan, directed by Ib Kamara and chaired by Donatella Versace, who chaired this year’s jury. The designer will receive a cash prize of 300,000 Australian dollars, or approximately $195,000 USD, a 50 percent increase over previous years.
The Amsterdam-Paris-based designer impressed the judges with his extraordinary vision of taking sustainability from concept to couture. His winning collection showcased merino wool through a remarkable community-driven approach, engaging twelve Dutch artisans who brought historic Dutch knitting methods to the table, combining 3D reconstructed knitwear with recycled military sweaters and custom woven checks.
“This opportunity allows me to further elevate my work and take a valuable step in shaping the future direction of Duran Lantink,” said the designer upon receiving the award. “I am truly honoured to be selected as a finalist for the 2025 International Woolmark Prize, recognising my brand’s commitment to innovation and sustainability.”
Though now celebrated on international stages, Lantink’s journey reflects years of dedicated work and growing influence. His designs have adorned celebrities such as Beyoncé, Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa and Doja Cat, while earning a place in prestigious permanent collections at the Met Costume Institute, Victoria & Albert Museum and Stedelijk Museum.
Lantink’s commercial presence has grown through partnerships with forward-thinking retailers such as Dover Street Market, JOYCE in Hong Kong, Browns London, and H. Lorenze in Los Angeles. Prior to his Woolmark triumph, he was awarded the 2023 Andam Special Prize and the 2024 Karl Lagerfeld Prize.
The International Woolmark Prize has a special place in fashion circles, having honored talents who have gone on to become industry legends, including Karl Lagerfeld, Yves Saint Laurent, Giorgio Armani and Donna Karan.
At the same ceremony, Pieter Mulier, Creative director of Alaïa, received the inaugural Karl Lagerfeld Award for Innovation, in recognition of his significant contributions to the development of wool and exceptional craftsmanship.
Finalists for the award included Raul Lopez of New York’s Luar label; Rachel Scott of Diotima; Michael Stewart of London’s Standing Ground; Louis Gabriel Nouchi of Paris; Luca Lin of Act No.1; Ester Manas and Balthazar Delepierre of Ester Manas; and Meryll Rogge, former head of womenswear design at Dries Van Noten.
The finalists were each awarded 60,000 Australian dollars to develop a six-piece merino wool capsule that could either be integrated into their Fall/Winter 2025 collections or stand alone. A key requirement was that one look be unique to the International Woolmark Prize presentation, with all designs showcasing the adaptability, forward-thinking applications and sustainable qualities of merino wool.
In addition to Versace and Kamara, the judging panel included fashion luminaries Alessandro Sartori, Artistic director of Zegna; Alessandro Dell’Acqua, founder and Creative director of Nº21; image architect Law Roach; celebrity stylist and brand consultant Danielle Goldberg; Roopal Patel, senior vice president, fashion director of Saks Fifth Avenue; Sinéad Burke, educator, advocate and founder of Tilting the Lens; DJ, producer and artist Honey Dijon; fashion writer Tim Blanks; and Simone Marchetti, European editorial director of Vanity Fair and editor-in-chief of Vanity Fair Italia.
