Woolmark Performance Challenge 2021, in partnership with On and SALEWA
In 2021, for the first time, the Woolmark Performance Challenge partnered with two brands: Swiss running specialists, On, and Italian skiwear experts, SALEWA. They each set their own category brief to challenge participating students. On challenged students to explore apparel innovations that respond to the highest demands of performance for modern outdoor runners, whist maximising fashion-forward wearability. SALEWA asked entrants to innovate low environmental-impact fabric technologies to create thermo-regulating apparel for mountain activities.
From over 400 entries, the 12 most promising innovation ideas (six in each category) were selected by the challenge partners, with these students moving on to the final stage of the competition. They will compete within their categories for a three-month paid internship with the category brand partner. One finalist will also be chosen to receive the €10,000 Woolmark Research Bursary.
2021 MENTORS
We are extremely grateful to the individuals and companies who kindly lent their time to mentoring the 2021 finalists.
Associate Professor at the Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino
Sales Division, Shima Seiki
Research & Development Manager Europe, The Woolmark Company
Founder and Creative Director, BYBORRE
Innovation & Special Projects Manager, SALEWA
SR Creative Lead for Creator Program, Shopify
Founders, Studio Eva x Carola
Global Head of Performance All Day, On
SSI Programmer, Shima Seiki
Professor and Chair of Textile Sci and Engineering, University of Manchester
Material Innovation Lead - Footwear, On
Creative Director Textiles, BYBORRE
Director of Product - Suiting at Raymond Fine Fabrics
Technology Ambassador and R&D Director, Bond Factory and Dyloan Studio
Global Head of Talent Acquisition – R&D, On
CEO, Tintora Finissaggio 2000 srl
CEO Italia, Fashion Revolution
Innovation Technology Lead, On
Apparel Designer, On
Head Of Design Boss Menswear Athleisure, HUGO BOSS
Founder and Creative Director, Riccardo Rami Studio
Rico Lee is a Chinese fashion and apparel designer.
Wool Innovation Consultant, Kettlewell Consulting
R&D and Commercialization Manager Americas, The Woolmark Company
Co-founder and creative director of MaFashio Co, Innovation Lead of BongoHive Consult, Country Coordinator of Fashion Revolution Zambia.
Deputy director of Human-Centered Research Lab, Director of Sportswear Design, Beijing Institute Of Fashion Technology
Founder, HYPEBASE
Founder & Co-CEO, Artilect
At this stage finalists participated in the Woolmark Performance Challenge Innovation Accelerator Program, a three-month mentoring scheme designed to accelerate their concepts and elevate their design thinking.
This program brings together an experienced collective of international partners at different stages of the supply chain and manufacturing process.
Watch this space for further updates on the 2021 competition and the winners’ announcement in early 2022.
MEET THE 2021 FINALISTS
Beatrice Beffa
IED Milano, Italy
SALEWA FINALIST
Beatrice Beffa
IED Milano, Italy
SALEWA FINALIST
Caroline Schinle
Albstadt-Sigmaringen University, Germany
ON FINALIST
Caroline Schinle
Albstadt-Sigmaringen University, Germany
ON FINALIST
Daniel Calabrese
University of Oregon, USA
ON FINALIST
Daniel Calabrese
University of Oregon, USA
ON FINALIST
Dan Winegar
University of Oregon, USA
SALEWA FINALIST
Dan Winegar
University of Oregon, USA
SALEWA FINALIST
Elsa Longret
Institut Français de la Mode (IFM), France
ON FINALIST
Elsa Longret
Institut Français de la Mode (IFM), France
ON FINALIST
Francesco Matera
IED Milano, Italy
ON FINALIST
Francesco Matera
IED Milano, Italy
ON FINALIST
Harleen Kaur
Pearl Academy, India
ON FINALIST
Harleen Kaur
Pearl Academy, India
ON FINALIST
Holly Reid
University of Technology Sydney
SALEWA FINALIST
Holly Reid
University of Technology Sydney
SALEWA FINALIST
Ivy Whiteman
University of Technology Sydney
SALEWA FINALIST
Ivy Whiteman
University of Technology Sydney
SALEWA FINALIST
Kimi Jensen
University of Oregon, USA
SALEWA FINALIST
Kimi Jensen
University of Oregon, USA
SALEWA FINALIST
Nicola Hasslacher
Accademia Costume & Moda, Italy
ON FINALIST
Nicola Hasslacher
Accademia Costume & Moda, Italy
ON FINALIST
Olivia Simpson
Massey University, New Zealand
SALEWA FINALIST
Olivia Simpson
Massey University, New Zealand
SALEWA FINALIST
