THE PROTÉGÉ PROJECT

Culminating in a fashion show event in Florence the vision of five young designers comes to life. They are the five new names chosen for “The Protégé Project”: a special initiative that the Australian Wool Innovation, the largest association of Australian Merino woolgrowers, devotes to emerging talents in the fashion world.

Against the evocative backdrop of Palazzo Corsini, the young designers - Kristian Aadnevik, Sandra Backlund, Jean-Pierre Braganza, Ioannis Cholidis, Julian Louie - will present their creations inspired by a fascinating challenge. To reveal the potential of Australian Merino Wool in the realm of men’s and women’s fashion. Launched in June of 2007, The Protégé Project applies the Renaissance model of patronage to the fashion system of today. Thus five internationally prominent figures - Karl Lagerfeld, Donatella Versace, Paul Smith, Francisco Costa for Calvin Klein, Franca Sozzani of the Italian Vogue - were invited to serve as mentors and select respective protégés.

This exceptional role translated for the five young designers into a precious opportunity, the chance for each to express his or her own talent through prestigious Australian Merino wool fabrics and yarns, gaining international visibility in the process.

Australian Wool Innovation involved in the project some of the world’s most illustrious textile manufacturers, namely: Cerruti, Ermenegildo Zegna, Loro Piana, Carlo Barbera, Botto Poala, Reda, Vitale Barberis Canonico, Chiavazza, Zegna Baruffa, Tollegno, Lora e Festa. They agreed to supply fabrics and yarns in the finest Australian Merino Wool for the protégés’ collections.

In an exciting couture twist, Australian Merino Wool conquers the scene and celebrates an important anniversary: the bicentennial of the shipping of the first bale of Merino wool to Europe. Two hundred years of quality, luxury and innovation.

To find out more about The Project Protégé or the designers go to awiprotegeproject.com. Check out all the photos on Flickr.

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