Duran Lantink Wins the 2025 International Woolmark Prize at a Ceremony Led by Donatella Versace
Dutch designer Duran Lantink has been honored with the 2025 International Woolmark Prize, a prestigious award recognizing innovation and excellence in merino wool craftsmanship. The award ceremony took place on Wednesday, with Donatella Versace, president of this year’s jury, and Ib Kamara, the competition’s guest artistic director for 2025, presenting Lantink with the coveted prize.
Versace praised Lantink’s creativity, highlighting his ability to blend tradition with modernity in a fresh and optimistic way. “Duran brings a much-needed energy to a gray world—his work is full of optimism, humor, and a deep respect for tradition, combined with an anarchic sense of futurism,” she stated.
In addition to the main award, other key figures in the industry were also recognized. Pieter Mulier, creative director of Alaïa, received the Karl Lagerfeld Award for Innovation for his Summer-Fall 2024 collection, crafted entirely from a single wool thread. The collection stood out for its unique textural experimentation with merino wool, made possible through close collaboration with long-standing textile suppliers. Meanwhile, Südwolle Group was honored with the Supply Chain Award, recognizing leaders in innovation and sustainability within wool production.
Lantink captivated the jury with his ability to modernize traditional hand-weaving techniques. His designs, including sculptural-volume dresses and three-dimensional kilts with wire structures, drew significant attention during his Fall 2025 “Duranimal” show in Paris. These pieces appeared to float around the body rather than cling to it, offering an innovative approach to high fashion.
Upon receiving the award, Lantink expressed his gratitude to his team and, in particular, to the 15-member weaving community in Amsterdam that collaborated on the collection. “Having experts in wool and weaving to discuss the process with was incredible. For me, this was essential, as I’m not a textile specialist,” the designer shared.
With this achievement, Duran Lantink cements his position as one of the most forward-thinking voices in contemporary fashion, seamlessly blending experimentation, craftsmanship, and a bold vision for the future of design.
