The International Woolmark Prize global final took place during Pitti Uomo at Stazione Leopolda in Florence on Tuesday, and American Christopher Bevans of Dyne won the inaugural Innovation Award.

Bevans was joined by Matthew Miller and Bodice – from the British Isles and India, respectively – who were named the menswear and womenswear winners of the 2017/2018 International Woolmark Prize.

The awards were judged by a panel that included CFDA members Liya Kebede and Phillip Lim, we as well as Amber Valletta, Emanuele Farneti, Livia Firth, Nonita Kalra, Sarah Mower and The Woolmark Company’s Stuart McCullough.

For his winning designs, Bevans, who was a finalist for the 2017 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, was inspired by learning to snowboard in the 1980s in a wool bomber jacket. He presented a technical snowboarding wardrobe with an NFC chip embedded in the wool jacket to track users in avalanches.

He was given the special award – powered by Future Tech Lab – by Miroslava Duma, one of the judges.

“For me he was definitely the leader in innovation,” Duma said. “The NFC chips he embedded in his collection, and the fabrication of the snowboard gear, really stood out. He really thinks about technology every step of the way.”

While Miller and Bodice will each receive AU$200,000 – or about $156,000 – towards their business development, Bevans is receiving AU$100,000 – or about $78,000 – along with commercial opportunities with the award.

Bevans was, naturally, very excited about the win. “We pushed so hard and to be recognized for this is incredible,” he said. “It doesn’t get more special.”