Wijnants takes the Woolmark

On Saturday night, Victoria Beckham, Donatella Versace and Diane von Furstenberg joined forces to judge the International Woolmark Prize. Previous recipients include Yves Saint Laurent and Karl Lagerfeld, so the winnerwas sure to be in good company, and the competition was fierce. In the end, it was budding Belgian talent Christian Wijants who beat a shortlist of five other labels for the accolade. "Christian invented a new shape and made it possible with an industrial production process," explained Vogue Italia editor-in-chief Franca Sozzani at the event on the rooftop of central London’s ME Hotel. "His designs are flattering, feminine and sexy, a modern interpretation of wool."  Besides the obvious bragging rights, Wijnants won £65,000, as well as the opportunity to have his collection stocked in Harvey Nichols, London and Bergdorf Goodman, New York.