The International Woolmark Prize continues to promote a meaningful, cross-cultural, and sustainable design landscape through this year’s collection of finalists. Presented with a short film, the designers’ looks are featured alongside performance artist Joan Jonas. Titled “Dialogue”, the video highlights the value of conversation and its necessity toward a more creative, inclusive, and just world. By bringing together leading design talent, industry players, and a cast of young actors and musicians, The Woolmark Company promotes cross-generational collaboration — something that is crucial to making global change.
As a pioneering figure in the industry, Joan Jonas was one of the first artists to combine video, performance, and installation — creating her own space and style that influences contemporary art to this day. In “Dialogue”, Jonas reimages one of her most notable works, “Delay Delay” from 1972. Creative director Zak Kyes, director Partel Oliva, and choreographer Josh Johnson bring the performance artist’s work to the present day with looks by A. ROEGE HOVE, Bluemarble, Lagos Space Programme, MARCO RAMBALDI, MAXXIJ, Paolina Russo, R H U D E and Robyn Lynch. Set on the coast of Marseille, the film features creatives from the region and evokes both an intimacy and grandiosity through sound and space.
“Years ago I would not have participated in a project like this,” says Joan Jonas. “But I’ve since become very interested in how people interpret my work, how they might be influenced by it and how it might change the way they view their own work.”
“Dialogue” is a potent message of conversation, collaboration, and the importance of thinking towards the future — in line with the International Woolmark Prize’s aim to encourage designers to think critically about their materials and environmental impact. Working with sustainable wool and utilising new technologies available to the fibre, the designers create collections that are innovative, ethical, smart, future-oriented, and design-focused. The finalists must abide by sustainability policies and track their footprint, and the winner will receive a large investment into the development of their business. Previous winners have included Karl Lagerfeld, Yves Saint Laurent, Giorgio Armani, Donna Karan, and Ralph Lauren.
The final event will be held in Paris on 15th May. Find out more information here.
Watch the video now…
