New Delhi, Dec 28 (IANS): For young designers Ankit Kajla, Kavya Doultani, Apoorva Wadhwa and Miloni Kothari, winning the Wool Runway competition has given them an "enriching experience" that will help in uplifting the awareness of Merino Wool in India.

The Woolmark Company recently announced four winners of its inaugural Wool Runway design competition, aimed at giving tertiary students a kick-start with their fashion career. The final four names not only won financial support, but also internships with brands like Raymond and Madura Fashion & Lifestyle. 

The platform not only raises awareness but also educates the next generation of consumers and inspires emerging fashion designers to work with Merino wool.

Kajla, the winner of Wool Runway and also a student at NIFT Bangalore, told IANS: "Wool Runway provided us with an enriching experience. The technique that went into producing an 80 percent merino wool inspired outfit was extremely challenging and that proved to be a great lesson."

"It was a big learning experience right from making the garment to enjoying the journey of it. It showed me the criteria needed to be the designer that I aspire to be," he added.

For first runner up Doultani, also a Pearl Academy of fashion, Jaipur student, doing something very innovative with wool was the best thing that has happened to her.

"It introduced me to my style and design philosophy that is inspired by tapestry weaving. I was amazed by the practicality of merino wool because it can be used across seasons and is such a breathable fibre," she told IANS.

Wadhwa, the second runner up and again a Pearl Academy of Fashion, Noida, student, says that it was a different feeling for her to work with wool.

Kothari, another second runner up and also a student of NIFT, Mumbai, said that the biggest learning she got was to put consumers at the forefront while designing but at the same time being creative and offering something unique on the platter.

"The fact that merino wool has so many qualities like it's bio-degradable, renewable, breathable means that is has high potential to take over the market in the next few years in pret fashion," she told IANS.