Wool News: THE CAMPAIGN FOR WOOL announce the continued patronage of HM King Charles III

The Campaign for Wool in the UK has announced that His Majesty The King continues to serve as its esteemed Patron, steadfastly backing its educational endeavors and events aimed at highlighting wool's vital role in supporting the planet, thanks to its natural, renewable, and biodegradable properties.

In 2024, the Campaign for Wool will unveil a series of initiatives and collaborations
during Wool Month, observed throughout October.

Originally conceived in 2008 by HM King Charles III during the time when he was The Prince of Wales, the Campaign for Wool was officially inaugurated in 2010. Its primary objective was to bolster wool growers across the Commonwealth in their efforts to counter the ascent of harmful synthetic fibers in fashion, interiors, and construction. 

As the Patron, His Majesty has tirelessly traversed various regions of the UK, Italy, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and South Africa over the past decade. His aim: to engage with wool growers and elucidate the distinct environmental superiority and ecological advantages of wool across its diverse applications.

Aligned with His Majesty The King's recent emphasis on Climate, Community, Commonwealth, and Culture, the Campaign for Wool assumes even greater significance today. 

As climate change and rampant plastic consumption dominate headlines with increasing frequency, there is a pressing need for conscientious decision-making. His Majesty ardently champions the natural benefits and usage of wool—a cause he championed over 50 years ago during his student days, upon the introduction of mainstream plastic use. Opting for wool presents a tangible means of safeguarding the planet for future generations.

The Campaign enjoys widespread support from entities worldwide, spanning farmers, the wool processing industry, designers, brands, and retailers. 

In 2024, the Campaign will unveil a series of initiatives and collaborations during Wool Month, observed throughout October.

Images from The Campaign for Wool

Innovative treatment of wool the highlight of International Woolmark Prize

Wool used in a variety of creative ways, with innovative treatments have won three designers top accolade at the 2017/18 InternationalWoolmark Prize

(L-R) Designers Matthew Miller, Christopher Bevans of DYNE and Ruchika Sachdeva of BODICE - winners of the International Woolmark Prize 2017/2018 on January 9, 2018 in Florence, Italy.
(Photo by Elisabetta Villa/Getty Images for the Woolmark Company) 

Matthew Miller’s winning collection has been described by Vogue Italia Editor-in-Chief
Emanuele Farneti as well-balanced with attractive price points.

Winner of the Menswear 2017/2018 International Woolmark Prize was British designer Matthew Miller.

At a special event during the Pitti Uomo menswear fair at Stazione Leopolda in Florence, Italy on 9^th January, Matthew’s winning collection was described by one of the judges Vogue Italia Editor-in-Chief Emanuele Farneti as well-balanced with attractive price points. “He showed a good combination between innovation, commercial viability and pieces which will be worn by men on the street," said Emanuele.

By taking up the idea of “form follows function” inspired by designer and philosopher Dieter Rams, Matthew added multifunctional elements for different environments, such as the addition of the garment belt system which acts as a way to turn the garment into an accessory in warmer climates.  Miller treated wool in a variety of ways, according to the IWS, including innovative treatments to create water resistant fabrics and has erased the need for plastic fastenings by using recycled material, such as waste marble.  Using Australian Merino wool ranging from 17.5 to 20.5 microns, Matthew developed the inherent character of each piece as his design philosophy.

The event also saw womenswear winner Bodice and Innovation Award winner DYNE awarded for their wool-rich collections.

Ruchika Sachdeva of Bodice produced an elegant collection honouring Australian Merino wool and the artisans of her country, India.

Representing India, Pakistan and the Middle East, Bodice by designer Ruchika Sachdevawas was  praised for her technique and the manufacturing process. 

Inspired by her grandmother who used to upcycle saris into quilts, Bodice addressed the issue of consumer waste in fashion with traditional techniques of recycling and cultural beliefs in the spiritual power of cloth to affect our well-being.   Judge womenswear designer Phillip Lim described Bodice's collection as "completely thoughtful". "From the ingredients and dyes used all the way to the application and everything in between, her collection really represents a modern woman."

Collaborating with hand weavers and encouraging them to take an unorthodox approach to traditional techniques, Ruchika Sachdeva produced an elegant collection honouring Australian Merino wool and the artisans of her country.  Bodice also worked with Bio-Dye in Sawantwadi, central India, which makes all colours from natural sources. The colour palette of navy and forest green mixed with pink and green pastels contains natural dyes and are safe for the skin - a nod to the ancient practices of Ayurveda. Completing the label's holistic approach, Bodice sourced buttons from renewable sources of coconut shell, seashell, and wood.

The collection of DYNE by Christopher Bevans comprised a technical snowboarding wardrobe, complete with an NFC chip in the water-resistant wool jacket to track users in avalanches and
ultimately bridge the gap between the brand and the consumer.

The Innovation Award powered by Future Tech Lab celebrates the collection with the most innovative and creative wool fabrication, process or development was awarded to DYNE by Christopher Bevans who according to the Woolmark Company demonstrated the most exciting approach to help reduce its social and environmental footprint. 

“For me he was definitely the leader in innovation,” said judge Miroslava Duma. “He really thinks about technology every step of the way.”

Inspired by learning to snowboard in the 1980s - in a wool bomber jacket - the DYNE collection  comprises a technical snowboarding wardrobe, complete with an NFC chip in the water-resistant wool jacket to track users in avalanches and ultimately bridge the gap between the brand and the consumer. DYNE describes itself as "liminal, as its garments are designed to operate on both sides of every threshold, and to break the existing barriers of fabric, fit and function."

The collection, crafted from Merino wool ranging between 17 and 19.5 microns, includes zip-up hoodies, track pants, trench coats and pullovers, treated so as to be water-repellent, with reflective overlays and inserts, functional pocket zips, laser-cut details and, in certain instances, two-way stretch.

The menswear and womenswear winners each receives AU$200,000 to help support the development of their business. They will also receive ongoing industry mentor support, Woolmark certification for their winning collection and the opportunity to be stocked in some of the world’s most prestigious department stores and boutiques.  DYNE receives AU$100,000 along with commercial opportunities.

Judges for the awards included Amber Valletta, Elizabeth Von Guttman, Emanuele Farneti, Julie Davies, Livia Firth, Liya Kebede, Miroslava Duma, Nonita Kalra, Phillip Lim, Riccardo Vannetti, Sarah Mower and Stuart McCullough along with representatives from the International Woolmark Prize retail partner network.

(Photos by Elisabetta Villa/Getty Images for the Woolmark Company)

Wool Fair & Sheep Drive, and all things woolly

After a pleasurable summer of carefree days and warm sunshine, you probably find the milder weather with a hint of autumn quite welcoming.  Soon we'll be turning our attention to more woolly things as the evenings start to draw in earlier by the day.

A sheep farm on Beachy Head, near Eastbourne in UK's southeastern coast, looking over the English Channel.
Photo by Lucia Carpio (C) My Fashion Connect Global.

A number of exciting things are being staged in September that will put wool in the limelight.

One notable event is the Wool Fair & Sheep Drive due to take place at Monument & London Bridge in the UK capital.

Staged by the Worshipful Company of Woolmen, one of London’s oldest Livery companies and the City Wool Alliance and co-produced by Best of Britannia and Callow Events, London’s first Wool Fair takes place on September 25th, pulling together a range of wool-based traders to showcase the breadth of uses of this incredibly versatile natural fibre.  2016 will be the first year for this exciting new event as an annual accompaniment to the traditional London Bridge Sheep Drive hosted by Nigel Mansell, driving slightly slower than he’s used to.

Woollen transitional scarf by knitwear designer Layla Chelache whose textile pieces reflect her love of colour, texture and sculptural forms. Using the very finest materials, from Scottish cashmere to Italian silk and linen, each scarf, hat or glove is made by hand, on vintage industrial knitting machines in CHELACHE’s London studio.  Photo from Best of Britannia.

Brands taking part include; Penrose, The Wool Room, Crowns & Coronets, Northdown Farm, Southdown Duvets, Chapman House, One Hut Full, Sweet Potato Spirit Company, Chelache, Romney Marsh Wools, Romney Tweed, Blissimore, Ross Barr, Settlers Stores and Elspeth McVey.

Lazy Days and Cozy Nights

Pure new wool throws from the Essentials Range by Tolly McRae in a selection of
soft colours:Village Green, Lady Grey, Damson Gin & Donkey.
Each throw measures 150cm x 180cm

Meanwhile Tolly McRae has launched its Essentials Range, which is styled on their ever popular chunky lambswool throws and produced in pure new wool. They have added in extra softness at the finishing stage to achieve a near lambswool feel, so the result is a really great everyday throw.

As with all Tolly McRae throws and blankets, the Essentials range is woven in a family run mill in the British Isles that has been producing textiles for generations. The arrows are produced in small batches and hand finished by craftsmen passionate about their trade.

Co-founder and owner Danielle Tolson hopes the new Essentials range will allow Tolly McRae bring the ‘rural luxe’ aesthetic into many more homes: “With this range we’re bringing our customers the fabulous Tolly McRae quality and styling they have come to expect, at a more accessible price point. “

Addicted to Sheep – Documentary film offers authentic insight into farming life in the North Pennines. London Premiere on Friday 28th August at Picturehouse Central.

If you wish to watch something that will take your mind off the hustle and bustle of city life, you would enjoy a new docu-film called Addicted to Sheep.  I did.

Addicted to Sheep, due to have its London Premiere on Friday 28th August at Picturehouse Central, is the feature debut film of director Magali Pettier (herself a farmer’s daughter) who gives an authentic look into the life of a tenant-farming family – the Hutchinson.

For the family, raising sheep is not just an addiction: it’s a livelihood, a way of life that many in the small close-knit community of The Raby Estate have chosen to lead.  Parents Tom and Kay spend their days looking after their flock of Swaledale sheep, while their three young children help out in the daily chores, and attending a school entirely comprised of farmers’ children.  

The film follows the couple’s work in nurturing, grooming and selling their sheep as the seasons change. 

While giving an intimate insight into the endless list of hard work, in all weathers, of running a farm, the film showcases the total commitment of a hill-farming family in the North Pennines. Such is the authenticity of the film I could almost feel the cold during the winter scenes (bring a sweater to the cinema if I were you) and smell the sweat in the sequence of the clipping (or shearing) of sheep.   In portraying the family’s dedication to their flock it draws you into a unique way of life in a remote rural world.  Thoroughly admirable.   Whoever is contemplating the idea of giving up their city day jobs for a relaxing life of running a farm should think again.  But if you're after a life of  simplistic happiness that the material modern world cannot provide, maybe farming is your answer.

Director Pettier followed a year in the family’s lives, capturing both the stark, stunning beauty of the landscape, and the brutally hard graft it takes just to survive.  She single-handedly shot and directed the indie film, working alongside Producer Jan Cawood of Tin Man Films and editor Matt Dennis to develop more than 60 hours of footage into a feature-length film. Other members of the creative team included sound expert Chris Watson and composer James Burrell. The production has spanned more than four years and the post-production was completed with the help of international crowd funding.

 “Addicted to Sheep has been a labour of love for our team and I’m delighted with the recognition of our work.  It’s a great privilege to be able to present Addicted to Sheep with prestigious partners who really care about indie films including Picturehouse Cinemas, Tyneside Cinema, Bertha DocHouse amongst others. Thanks to the Hutchinson family it feels like a real achievement to now be able to share the film with a wide audience to show a world difficult to witness up close, what it’s like to be a tenant farmer, especially given the current headlines about the issues farmers are facing," said Director/Producer Magali Pettier.

While the mentioning of sheep may invoke the fashion connection to wool, apparently the off-white colour and coarseness of the Swaledale sheep wool prevent them from fetching high prices, according to Wikipedia, but its strong and durable properties make it suitable for carpets, rugs, and insulation.   Nevertheless promoters said life-size sheep models made from the wool of The Hutchinsons’s flock, by the talented felted sheep maker Julia Knott from F’git-me-Knott Designs in Cumbria, will also be making their way to the city and go on the UK cinema tour too.  Provenance Films has also announced that the feature documentary which had its World Premiere at Sheffield Doc/Fest 2015, was nominated for the Environmental Award.

Addicted to Sheep will be released by the North East based Provenance Films in UK cinemas and celebrate its London Premiere on Friday 28th August at Picturehouse Central. 

You can watch the trailer by clicking here.