Latest wool fashions showcased locally
AWI presents commercially available wool garments at the fashion shows of regional events across Australia, to help showcase the fibre and build demand for the wool products.
Showcasing the latest wool apparel of some of Australia’s greatest brands and retailers, the AWI Runway Kit was launched 12 years ago and has been on tour across Australia ever since.
The curated collection of garments assists the organisers of regional shows to showcase great examples of wearable wool fashion at their events. The collection includes commercially available wool outfits from some of AWI’s retail and design partners.
The current AWI Runway Kit contains looks from the Autumn/Winter 2024 collections of leading brands Zara, Country Road, Iris & Wool, SABA, Seed Heritage, Uniqlo, Marcs and AERE.
Recent shows at which the AWI Runway Kit has been exhibited include Darkan Sheepfest, WA (February), SA Stud Merino Expo, Burra SA (February), Wagin Woolorama, WA (March), Karoonda Farm Fair & Show, SA (April), Queensland State Sheep Show, Blackall (May), Campbell Town Show, Tas (June), and the Australian Sheep & Wool Show, Bendigo Vic (July).
Campbell Town Show
The crowd at the Campbell Town Show fashion parade, pictured viewing a wedding gown made out of Merino wool supplied by Waverley Mills.
Garments from the AWI Runway Kit being showcased to the crowds at the Campbell Town show in June. PHOTOS: PICTURE HAUS
Aere – 100% Merino Wool Zip Through Jumper
Country Road – Wool blend Rib Knit Skirt & Sweater
Country Road – 100% Wool Single-Breasted Vest & Pleat Pant
Iris & Wool – 100% wool Poppy Dress
Iris & Wool – 100% wool Petrisse Cardigan & Catriona Merino Wool Sweater Dress
Marcs – Neptune 100% Felted Wool Skirt paired with a 100% wool black Uniqlo Sweater
Saba – Leo Wool Rib Knit & Skirt
Seed – 100% Merino Wool Funnel Neck Knit & 80% wool Mini Skirt
Seed – Merino Wool Roll Neck
Uniqlo – 100% wool Boat Neck Long Sleeve Knit Dress
Zara – ZW Collection Draped Pencil Dress
Fashion director of the Campbell Town Show, Taylor Clyne Smith, says she is grateful to AWI for supplying the luxury garments, which are paraded on the fashion show’s catwalk lined with fleece.
“AWI gives us the opportunity to showcase wool quite literally from producer to parade, with the audience seeing both the raw wool straight off a sheep’s back and then a wide variety of garments made from the fibre,” she said.
“My goal is to make people feel connected to our woolgrowers while soaking in the collections showcased on this premium Tasmanian catwalk.
“At this year’s fashion show I not only talked about the garments but also provided the audience with an insight into woolgrowers’ day to day, to help them really understand and appreciate growers’ premium product.
“We delved into the life of fifth generation woolgrower Bruce Dunbabin of Mayfield Estate, whose superfine Merino wool sells predominately to the Italian market. During his tenure, Bruce has had contracts with superfine fabric producers Reda and Vitale Barberis Canonico who sell to the likes of Amarni and Hugo Boss.
“I spoke about how Bruce describes the ebbs and flows that producers find themselves in and wool being a real confidence product.
“‘It’s a beautiful product, a hearty and luxurious product that people typically need cashflow to purchase,’ Bruce explained. ‘It’s been really tough coming off the back of 22/23, which were some of our best years on record, to now having no rainfall or grass growth.’
“It’s a hard time to be a farmer, but Bruce’s advice is to hang on tight.
“Tassie wool is sought after across the globe, it’s a safe product and we have premium producers.
“I told this story to the audience because I believe it’s important to think about this as they revel in the catwalk display, where wool and woollen products are front and centre.”
The AWI Runway Kit is available for loan to suitable wool-focused events across regional Australia – it is contained in a robust wardrobe case for ease of storage and transport.
More information: Enquiries from event organisers interested in borrowing the AWI Runway Kit should be directed to AWI Events Project Manager Vanessa Peyton at vanessa.peyton@wool.com.
This article appeared in the September 2024 edition of AWI’s Beyond the Bale magazine. Reproduction of the article is encouraged.
