Houdini’s all-natural layering system
Merino wool is perfect for all three layers of outdoor apparel: base-layer, mid-layer and outer-layer – as demonstrated in The New Naturals collection recently launched by Swedish brand Houdini following a collaboration with AWI.
The New Naturals collection from Houdini contains Merino wool garments for all three layers – base-layer, mid-layer and outer-layer – keeping outdoor enthusiasts comfortable during extreme conditions.
Merino wool is perfect for all three layers of outdoor apparel: base-layer, mid-layer and outer-layer – as demonstrated in The New Naturals collection recently launched by Swedish brand Houdini following a collaboration with AWI.
Merino wool apparel has become popular for outdoor sports for many reasons, not least because of its ability to protect the wearer from excessive heat and cold, something that not only helps keep the wearer comfortable but can even be lifesaving.
Outdoor sports enthusiasts often experience temperature extremes. The body generates high levels of heat and perspiration when for example climbing a mountain, but once they reach the summit, body temperatures drop which can be dangerous when the body is wet from perspiration. The trick is wearing the right clothes that enable the wearer to control moisture as a well as insulation.
The solution is Merino wool, which Houdini has used in its new collection, recently launched for the northern hemisphere winter season.
The New Naturals collection
Houdini’s The New Naturals collection consists of:
- ‘Desoli’ base-layer garments (tops, bottoms, hats and neck warmer) made from 100% 17.5-micron wool from Australia
- ‘Alto’ mid-layer garments (tops, bottoms, hats and mittens) made from 19.3-micron Australian Merino wool blended with TENCEL™ Lyocell fibres (derived from wood pulp); and
- ‘Lana’ outer-layer garments comprising a jacket and pants made from 100% 16-micron Australian Merino wool.
The innovative fabric of the Lana jacket and pants, made using OptimTM technology, is comprised of densely knitted Merino wool that provides wind and water-resistance, without any chemical treatments having been applied. The fabric is one of many innovative and high-value woven Merino wool fabrics that have been developed by the Wool Development Centre, which was set up in 2013 by AWI with one of China’s leading woollen textile enterprises, The Nanshan Group.
The three-tier layering system of The New Naturals collection gives the wearer the opportunity to adjust their clothing to the environment as well as to the activity level, keeping them drier and more comfortable – and without the use of any synthetic fibres, which is especially important for Houdini.
‘Desoli’ base-layer – made from 100% 17.5-micron wool from Australia.
‘Alto’ mid-layer – made from 19.3-micron Australian Merino wool blended with TENCEL™ Lyocell fibres.
‘Lana’ outer-layer – made from 100% 16-micron Australian Merino wool.
Sustainable and circular design
Ever since it began in 1993, Houdini has been an innovator of sustainable design and pioneer of circular business models. Ultimately Houdini wants to enable and inspire people to reconnect to nature.
“The idea is to evolve natural fibres, like Merino wool or TENCEL™ Lyocell, with the help of cutting-edge technology – natural resources, borrowed from nature and transformed into highly functional fabrics using the latest technology,” said Houdini’s Head of Design & Product, Jesper Danielsson. Being biodegradable, the fabrics used in this collection can return to nature, providing a basis for new resources.
The New Naturals collection was developed by Houdini in close cooperation with AWI and also involved collaboration with Lenzing’s TENCEL™ brand and leading spinner Südwolle Group.
“AWI and Houdini have long shared similar values regarding the creation of quality, technical products with minimal impact. As a 100% natural, renewable and biodegradable fibre, Merino wool’s inherent circular attributes align with Houdini’s ethos and provides the ultimate ingredient for their The New Naturals collection,” said AWI CEO John Roberts.
“Cross-industry collaboration is fundamental to not only share the journey towards more sustainable, circular practices and products, but also to achieve industry transformation. This is what makes Houdini’s latest offering so exciting.”
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This article appeared in the December 2022 edition of AWI’s Beyond the Bale magazine. Reproduction of the article is encouraged.
