It was a case of double delight on Wednesday when fashion label Strateas.Carlucci snared both the womenswear and menswear categories of the prestigious Australian final of the International Woolmark Prize.
Designers Peter Strateas and Mario Luca Carlucci pocketed $100,000 after winning the $50,000 prize for womenswear and the $50,000 menswear award, which were announced at a gala lunch at The Stables in Randwick.
''We've been a bit controversial this year,'' judge and London-based fashion designer Roland Mouret said of the surprise dual win.
The global award, which recognises fashion design excellence using Australian merino wool, was first won in 1954 by Yves Saint Laurent and Karl Lagerfeld, and was relaunched three years ago to nurture a new generation of designers around the globe.
The precision tailoring and exquisite draping of Strateas.Carlucci impressed a judging panel including Harper's Bazaar editor in chief Kellie Hush, Vogue editor in chief Edwina McCann and Mouret.
''Their tailoring and the way they cut their fabrics was impeccable,'' Hush said. ''The women's and men's collections worked together to complement each other perfectly.''
The design duo took inspiration from the work of the late indigenous artist Emily Kngwarreye to create their In Digital collections that included bold black and white prints, fine check suiting and voluminous ankle-length coats of resin-coated merino wool.
''We were inspired by Emily Kngwarreye and the idea that something like merino wool could be traditional and modern at the same time,'' Carlucci said.
''We're a little bit emotional and shocked because this award is about helping the underdogs and the Aussie battlers, and it will completely help us on a number of different levels.''
The pair triumphed over some of Australia's best young talents to win the prizes, with other finalists including Song For The Mute, Michael Lo Sordo and Tristan Melle.
Strateas.Carlucci will now represent Australia at the international finals next year, when regional winners from India, China, Europe and America will vie for the $100,000 overall prize.
The global award also includes the opportunity to be stocked in the world's greatest fashion stores, including Harvey Nichols in Britain, Italy's 10 Corso Como, Saks Fifth Avenue in the US and David Jones in Australia.
''We are a global company working right across the fashion supply chain, so we can give young designers access to the movers and shakers in the fashion industry that would otherwise be very challenging for them,'' Robert Langtry, global chief strategy and marketing officer for AWI, which owns the Woolmark Company, said.
The menswear final of the IWP will be held in London in January next year while the womenswear finalists will face off in Beijing in March.
