South Korea’s emerging labels Munsoo Kwon and J Koo won the Asia finals of International Woolmark Prize 2015-16 the men’s wear and women’s wear categories held in Shanghai. Selected from 12 promising fashion talents in Asia, both winners earned A$50,000 in prize money, and will take part in next year's international finals.

This year's panel of judges consisted of a cross-section of industry leaders, including designer Thom Browne, Chinese supermodel Lu Yan and Cyril Rahon, head buyer of 10 Corso Como. Women’s wear category winner Jinwoo Choi and Yeonjoo Koo of J Koo showcased an oversized denim jacket paired with matching trousers. The pair's innovative fabric development transformed the material with artful use of bleach and strategic fraying to add to the illusion.

Men’s wear winner Munsoo Kwon displayed a well-tailored suit that proved new ways of working with wool. Traditional pinstripe suiting was transformed into a modern look with white ombré along the sleeves and trouser legs. The final for menswear will be held in Florence in January 2016, and the womenswear final will take place in New York in February next year.

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