TEXTILE innovations such as Merino Touch, lightweight wools and used and natural-look finishes will inspire a "wool revival" in the northern hemisphere, according to AWI.
Subscribe now for unlimited access to all our agricultural news
across the nation
or signup to continue reading
The prediction comes as leading Italian spinners gear up to show their spring 2011 collections in Florence at Pitti Filati, the world’s most prestigious yarn fair.
Igea president Stefano Borsini said the coldest northern hemisphere winters in more than three decades had reconnected consumers with wool – a trend reiterated by Borgosesia-based wool and cashmere spinner Lora Festa, which said it would focus on wool rather than cashmere for spring 2011.
Stefania Bernardi, area manager of Filatura e Tessitura di Tollegno, said wool was still important to Europe, particularly in the UK and France, and was the reason for their push to create lightweight wool.
AWI chief executive Brenda McGahan said the forecast "wool revival" validated the company’s product development strategy.
"This prediction is a virtual playback of our knitwear strategy over the past year," she said.
"Casual looks and special effects – new innovations for wool - have drawn the most attention at the knitwear trade events we’ve exhibited at this year and at all the sales calls we’ve made along the supply chain since we launched them last September.
"It’s proof that our grower-funded investments in product development are not only in synch with the market but in this case guiding global yarn and fashion trends.
"What’s also pleasing is that our product developments are helping drive a fibre switch away from cashmere towards Australian Merino wool, which is another key objective of AWI’s strategic and operational plan."
AWI reports from interior textile and sports and active wear trade events – taking place elsewhere around the globe – confirm this interest in wool is not confined to the yarn sector.
At Domotex in Hannover and Heimtextil in Frankfurt, Germany, AWI representatives and industry participants were swamped with inquiries about wool bedding and floor coverings.
This week in the US, the company’s Merino Perform range of innovative performance fabrics has been one of the stars of the Outdoor Retailer show in Salt Lake City.
