Travel Diary: Harman Grubisa in Florence

The design duo document their journey as one of 12 global finalists in this year's International Woolmark Prize

By Dan Ahwa

Sunday Jan. 21, 2018

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Pictures / Supplied

Always working. A full day of casting and shooting our IWP range with online platform Ordre.

Stealing away a little time from work. A walk on the water and a few sweet spots in Florence — our first day of blue sky in Europe.

Our very first venture out after castings — to the original Prada Mecca where it all began, at Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.

Models lining up on stage.

The IWP final presentation — an incredible display of design talent from around the world.

Post event dinner at the St Regis in Florence — the most spectacular meal of our lives.

At last we arrive at the IWP venue. Here we are backstage preparing our exhibition space at Pitti Uomo for judging, checking in with influential fashion editor Julia Sarr Jamois, who is a mentor of ours.

Press commitments in Milan — shooting with photographer Lorenzo amidst the art at Fondazione Prada Observatory and outside the Duomo.

Our last night in Florence, we dined with friends at Le Menager and drinks at Harry’s, by the water. Established in 1953, all the tablecloths are coral and the waiters dinner jackets mint green. Best spot for people watching — especially when Pitti Uomo is in town.

After winning the regional Australia/New Zealand Woolmark Prize in August last year, Auckland-based designers Madeleine Harman and Jessica Grubisa flew at new year to Florence to join the global finalists vying for the $200,000 prize money, ongoing mentorship, and the opportunity to be stocked in some of the most prestigious boutiques around the world.

Showcasing a capsule collection that highlighted the use of merino wool, the designers were put through their paces presenting their work to a discerning panel of judges, including Italian Vogue editor-in-chief Emanuele Farneti, the buying manager for luxury e-tailer Mytheresa, Tiffany Hsu, supermodel Amber Valetta, sustainable fashion leader Livia Firth, fashion critic Sarah Mower, American designer Phillip Lim and more.

READ: Kiwis Win Big at the International Woolmark Awards

The top prizes were taken out by Indian’s label Bodice, British designer Matthew Miller and Dyne from Portland, America.