Europe's Woolmark Winners Announced

AS Germany's footballing stars cleaned up in the World Cup, two of their countrymen were sweeping the fashion board.Design duo Odély Teboul and Annelie Augustin - behind label Augustin Teboul - were announced as the womenswear winner of the International Woolmark Prize for Europe, alongside Asger Juel Larsen from Denmark who took the inaugural menswear award.

Augustin Teboul's "unexpected usage of wool" won the judges over, with Vogue Paris editor-in-chief Emmanuelle Alt commenting:"We have been very touched by the mix of Annelie and Odély's personalities.They give the wool an unexpected evening touch."

Larsen was lauded for his "commercial understanding and application of Merino wool" - his oversized cream jacket taking centre stage at the proceedings.

"Asger's presentation was very structured and well-articulated, his research on fabrics and textures was elaborate and accomplished," explained Véronique Nichanian, director of the masculine world of Hermès."The decision was made as one voice."

The winners were announced at an event held at Shangri-La Hotel in Paris.Other regional finals will also be held in America, Asia, Australia, and in India and the Middle East, with the ultimate winner for womenswear to be chosen in Beijing in March.The five menswear finalists will face the judges for the last time at London Collections:Men in January.