One Step Closer

The winning nominee from the India and Middle east category for the International Woolmark Prize 2015 will be announced on July 3

Following Mumbai-based designer Rahul Mishra’s win at the International Woolmark Prize in February, expectations are high from India at the award’s next edition in 2015. From the India and Middle East category, a total of 10 designers are in the running. From India, Akaaro and Zubair Kirmani’s designs are among seven others in the women’s wear section, and Barkha ‘N’ Sonzal is among the three menswear selections.

While the designers cannot talk about their collections yet, Gaurav Jai Gupta’s (Akaaro) earlier designs have focused on handwoven fashion, while Zubair Kirmani’s works seek inspiration from his rich Kashmiri heritage, with a focus on contemporary minimalism. Barkha Sharma and Sonzal Patel — the sister-designer-duo of Barkha ‘N’ Sonzal — have previously based their creations around their travels, spiritual quests and cultural forms like dance,music and Indian martial arts like kalaripayyat. The results of the winning nominee will be announced in Mumbai on July 3.

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