Designer Duran Lantink just won the 2025 International Woolmark Prize, and he deserves all the praise.
You might recognise Amsterdam-based designer Duran Lantink from the prosthetic silicone chests he sent on the runway, but his talent and skillset doesn’t stop there. The independent designer’s FW25 caught the judge panel’s attention with his knitwear in avant-garde structural silhouettes.
“Thank you. It was important for me to be loud,” said the designer last night. “I mean I’ve always been not very quiet: mixing things and really, really going for it. But I think now more than ever, it’s important to be a bit more radical. Because if we’re not being radical, then what are we doing?”
Duran founded his brand in 2019, and is known for his experimental and exaggerated silhouettes and crazy knitwear pieces using deadstock and sustainable materials. We first saw his work with Janelle Monáe’s “vagina pants” featured in her “Pynk” music video. For SS21, he hosted a digital fashion show attended solely by drones. And he’s created insane custom looks for Doja Cat, Solange, and more.
His work was celebrated by the International Woolmark Prize due to his goated wool work, merging traditional handiwork with innovative techniques to mould the natural fibre into crazy, unconventional shapes. Donatella Versace, chair of the judging panel, said: “We are in a moment when we need to feel better. Duran makes us feel that. His collection is a wonderful combination of respect for the fibre and a joyful sense of the future.”
Featured images via the Woolmark Company, Doja Cat and @duranlantinkyo©
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