The prize was introduced in connection with HENNE´s 10 years anniversary in 2004, and the purpose was to help Norwegian designers to develop a successful business. Last year an accessories category was established as well, owing to the fact that Norway has bred some high quality accessory designers the past few years.

Nomination criteria

The jury is looking for innovation, creativity and originality, a consistent idea, clever design, sewing, modelling and material choices, and the collection´s commercial potential.

Other requirements to be fulfilled are:
- The designer/brand must be Norwegian or work in Norway as clothes/accessories designer
- A potential for international breakthrough must be present
- The designer must be main responsible for the idea behind, and accomplishment of, the collection
- Design collections to be nominated:
          Clothes designer: Womenswear, menswear and mixed collections in the prêt-á-porter segment
          Accessories designer: Jewellery, shoes, handbags and other accessories collections

The nominees

This year´s nominees for clothes design

- SCA Ulven designers Sara C. Andersson and Marte Ulven
- Helje Hamre
- Norwegian Rain designers Alexander Helle and T-Michael
- dMajuscule designer Davor Mutic
- Hansen designer Åse Helena Hansen
- L & J designers Linne Røsstad Sharpe and Jason Sharpe

This year´s nominees for accessories design

- Dreams of Norway jewelry designers Iselin Strømsvåg and Nina Einarsen
- Cala & Jade bags and accessories designers Tina C. Skaar, Nina Amble Sandaas and Anette W. Nilsen
- The Figurine jewelry designers Zuzanna G og Tommy Løland
- Modalu handbag designers Marion Muhonen Nilsen og Naima Chamberlayne
- Shoes and accessories designer Ingunn Birkeland

The jury

Publishing Editor Ellen Arnstad has presided the jury work, and this year´s panel consists of:
- Gisle Mardal – Manager of Norwegian Fashion Institute and jury leader
- Marianne Haaning Htoon – Designs for Haaning & Htoon and last years winner
- Min Htoon – Designs for Haaning & Htoon and last years winner
- Bjørg Nordli-Mathisen – Designs for Bjørg
- Ørnulf Høyer – Chief Executive at Høyer Gruppen AS
- Gunn Ovesen – Managing Director at Innovasjon Norge
- Geir Ivar Nordli – Managing Director at Esmod
- Lisbeth Guldbrandsen – Fashion Editor at HENNE
- Pauline Närholm – Stylist
- Lars Botten – Photographer
- Julie Holst Berntsen – Area Manager at Spalt PR)
- Caroline Hansen – Founder of the design agency Femmes Regionales
- Simen Staalnacke – Founder of Moods of Norway

Previous winners

The previous years these designers have received the trophy Nåløyet and accompanying prizes:

2011: Haaning & Htoon and Bjørg jewellery
2010: Mardou & Dean
2009: Fin
2008: Batlak & Selvig
2007: Siv Støldal
2006: Ida Gullhav
2005: So Hee
2004: Arne & Carlos

Main image: Mardou & Dean receiving the Nåløyet throphy in 2010.
The bag: Cala & Jade´s Gumma bag.