Short Film “Playscape” Celebrates International Woolmark Prize 2022 Finalists

April 13, 2022

Words by The Folklore Team

The finalists of fashion’s longest-standing award for emerging talent, the International Woolmark Prize, have been celebrated in a new short film directed by and starring musician FKA Twigs. Titled “Playscape”, a reference to the theme of this year’s prize, Play, the video honors the seven finalists, who were announced late last year, Ahluwalia, EGONLAB, Jordan Dalah, MmusoMaxwell, Peter Do, RUI and Saul Nash.

Under the creative direction of Zak Group alongside choreographer Juliano Nunes, the short film takes inspiration from acclaimed American sculptor Isamu Noguchi, and is set in a gallery space filled with the artist’s works, in partnership with the Noguchi Museum. Using dance, costuming, art and music, the short film invites viewers to explore play as a means of creative expression. “It is an honor to be chosen by the Woolmark Prize to work with such talented designers and to create my first piece of work with Juliano Nunes, innovator of dance for the Avant Garden collective,” artist FKA Twigs says about the project.

This year’s “Play” theme also encourages the finalists, selected from an esteemed advisory board that includes supermodel Naomi Campbell, fashion designer Riccardo Tisci and editor Tim Blanks, to experiment with textiles and explore forward-thinking design that can drive change and innovation on the fashion industry.

The International Woolmark Prize is created by the Woolmark Company, a non-profit organization that champions the eco-credentials of wool fibre and an open supply chain in the industry. Woolmark, known as the global authority on wool, conducts research, develops and certifies Australian merino wool as the ideal natural material for fabricating luxury garments, promoting an ethical and transparent industry in the process.

Designed to highlight designers who embrace wool as an organic and sustainable material, display innovation in their work and uphold supply-chain transparency, the International Woolmark Prize also consists of a talent development program that pairs the finalists with industry experts such as stylist and Garage magazine fashion editor Gabriella Karefa-Johnson, Farfetch’s chief brand officer Holli Rogers and Shaway Yeh, founder of yehyehyeh and editorial director at Modern Media.

The seven finalists are challenged to create an present a Merino wool collection for the AW22 season highlighting transparency within their supply chain, alongside a roadmap for sustainability. The prize winner, who will be announced in London on 26 April, will be awarded with AUD $200,000 to invest in their company as well access to the Woolmark Company’s Innovation Academy – a group of retailers, suppliers, commercial partners and mentors – to offer support with product research and development, investment, networking and commerce, and the opportunity to enter new markets and grow their brand.