A FORMER pupil of Settle College, Edward Crutchley, is celebrating after winning one of the most prestigious prizes in the fashion world.

Edward was named winner of the menswear International Woolmark Prize - receiving his award from Colin Firth at the ceremony held during London Fashion Week.

He also picked up the Innovation award, and as menswear winner, joins an esteemed group of former prize holders including Karl Lagerfield, Yves Saint Laurent, Georgio Armani and Ralph Lauren.

The ceremony, held at the Royal Horticultural Society’s Lindley Hall, London, was attended by designers from all over the world with a panel of judges including Game of Thrones actress and model, Gwendoline Christie.

One of the judges, Tim Blanks, Editor-at-Large of fashion website The Business of Fashion, said: “I think it speaks volumes that there is a such a clear consensus on the winner of the International Woolmark Prize this year for Menswear and Innovation. I don’t think there’s ever been a designer like Edward Crutchley in the competition. I find the whole idea of him being a winner and the figurehead of creative innovative use of wool in the fashion industry so exciting. I can’t wait to see what’s going to happen.”

Edward, whose designs are said to ‘explore the boundaries of form, silhouette and surface’, who fuses a biker jacket with an 18th century frock coat, said after receiving the award that the win ‘meant everything’.

“It has changed my life forever. It’s going to change the way I design and approach everything. I’m incredibly flattered,” he said.

Edward receives 200,000 Australian Dollars for winning the menswear prize, and an additional 100,000 AUD for winning the Innovation prize.

The International Woolmark Prize celebrates outstanding fashion talents from around the globe who showcase the beauty and versatility of Merino wool, and is considered the world’s most prestigious award for rising fashion stars.

More than 300 emerging fashion designers entered the competition. Semi-finals were held in July last year, with the best 12 going forward to the finals held in London where designers pitched a capsule collection crafted from Merino wool to the judges.

Edward, whose father, David Crutchley lives in Clapham, and whose mother, Kath Metcalfe, lives in Feizor, attended the elite Central St Martins in London. He now lives in Paris and in London.