Merino wool at Pitti Filati

With Eco Luxe being one of the key themes at this year 63rd edition of Pitti Filati, Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) have responded with a collection of the finest Australian Merino wool yarns from around the world to showcase to the luxury end of the market. For AW09, AWI will present the Prestige Collection entitled, ‘Fifteen & Finer’, a collection made from of ultra-fine Merino wool from its origins in Australia. The collection is a showcase to demonstrate the softness, strength and resilience of Merino wool fibre compared to similar noble fibres.

Being the world’s largest producer of Merino wool, Australia accounts for more than half the world production of apparel wool. One quarter of Australia is used for Merino wool production, sourced from a diverse range of geographical and climatic regions. Australian Merino is recognised by its white, soft and luxurious natural fibre. This wool is sourced from Australia’s 35,000 wool farmers who produce 400,000 million kilograms of wool annually.

A national survey of Australian wool growers found that most believe they are custodians of the land, with 90 per cent of growers considering environmental management to be a critical part of running their farm. Australian Merino is a sustainable resource, every year a new fleece grows on the sheep’s back and can be removed without harm to the animal. The wool is made from the combination of sunlight, water and grass.

Australian merino wool finer than 15 microns is only found in very small quantities. This fibre is a product of its environment and genes. It can only be produced from the Grand Cru appellations of Australia’s superfine wool regions and by growers who have developed their breeding flock over many generations. In 2006 there were only 180 bales or approximately 22,000 kilograms of merino fleece finer than 15 micron produced that had the style and quality suitable for such premium yarns, fabrics and garments.

Trade fair Pitti Immagine Filati is taking place at the Fortezza da Basse in Florence from 2-4 July 2008.

Image: Imagi Knit