Misha Lakhani, Sania Maskatiya, Omar Farooq in the running for the International Woolmark Prize

KARACHI: For a second-year running, Sania Maskatiya has bagged a nomination for the International Woolmark Prize (IWP) in the India and Middle East Nominees for 2015-2016. Other regional nominees include Misha Lakhani for women’s wear and Republic by Omar Farooq for menswear, according to a press release. IWP is an honour that recognises promising fashion designers, who are not yet established globally, as stated on the award ceremony’s official website.

On Maskatiya’s nomination for IWP, chief executive officer and partner at the brand, Umair Tabani, said, “IWP is among the most coveted designer awards of our time. We were first put forward for nomination by the Pakistan Fashion Design Council in 2014-2015 owing to our credentials and dedicated focus on fabric and print.” He added, “The experience and exposure of being nominated was phenomenal. We are delighted to be able to represent Pakistan and its fashion design at this global platform for a second year now.”

Industry committees, councils and/or media from each region nominate eligible labels every year. The criteria for nominees include having demonstrable experience with fabric and textile innovation, consistently producing collections to a high level, presenting a proven history of working with natural fibres, and showing sales growth during their time in business, among others.

All the nominees will present sketches of a Merino wool capsule collection, comprising six outfits including a compulsory one-full outfit. The collections will be judged by a panel of local and international experts, which will be announced soon.

First held in 1953, the award is an initiative of the International Wool Secretariat. Internationally famed Karl Lagerfeld and Yves Saint Laurent were last year’s winners. Other regional nominees belong to India, UAE and Lebanon. The winners of both menswear and women-wear finals will receive a further Australian $100,000 to assist with fabric sourcing and marketing of their collection. The award ceremony is slated to take place on July 22 in Dubai.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 30th, 2015.

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