{"id":44549,"date":"2012-07-17T16:15:16","date_gmt":"2012-07-17T20:15:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/?p=44549"},"modified":"2012-07-17T17:27:58","modified_gmt":"2012-07-17T21:27:58","slug":"theallets-mark","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/?p=44549","title":{"rendered":"Th\u00e9allet’s Mark"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Sophie Th\u00e9allet, photograph by Tiziano Magni<\/em><\/p>\n

When it comes to rarified fashion awards, none is as storied as the International Woolmark Prize. Famous for launching the careers of industry legends like Karl Lagerfeld & Yves Saint Laurent, the Woolmark – which hasn’t been handed out since 08 – recently went to the talented, Sophie Th\u00e9allet<\/a><\/strong>. Judges Narciso Rodriguez, Sally Singer, Bergdorf Goodman’s Linda Fargo and the CFDA’s Steven Kolb, chose Th\u00e9allet’s elegant knitwear for the top honors and presented the designer with not just $100,000 in winnings, but also a chance to compete for the Woolmark on a global scale. Th\u00e9allet is no stranger to awards – back in 2009 she went home with the CFDA’s Fashion Fund award – but the Woolmark holds a personal importance to the designer, whose grandfather owned a knitwear factory. MDC spoke to the influential designer about what it means to win and where her ever evolving brand is headed next. <\/p>\n

MDC: What does winning the Woolmark prize mean to you? <\/strong><\/p>\n

Sophie Th\u00e9allet: <\/strong>It means the world to me and to our supporters. I am honored to receive this prize especially within a group of terrific designers.
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\nMDC: Does this mean were going to see even more knits on your runway? <\/strong><\/p>\n

Sophie Th\u00e9allet: <\/strong>Yes, we have been consistently building up our knitwear collection with a great response and will continue to broaden our offering.<\/p>\n

MDC: How does it feel to be in the same company as previous winners like Yves Saint Laurent & Karl Lagerfeld?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sophie Th\u00e9allet: <\/strong>It’s very surreal and even intimidating to be associated with these legends.<\/p>\n

MDC: What is it about knitwear that you think women respond to? <\/strong><\/p>\n

Sophie Th\u00e9allet: <\/strong>Since day one, babies are wrapped in blankets. I think that knitwear has a very innately comforting feeling. As a women, it can be very sexy and sensual as well.<\/p>\n

MDC: Now that you’ve won this landmark prize, what is next for the Sophie Th\u00e9allet brand? <\/strong><\/p>\n

Sophie Th\u00e9allet: <\/strong>We will continue doing our best to offer clothes that make women feel special, sensual, chic in a non-chalant way …<\/p>\n