Designing with woolPrint

When it comes down to it, few fibres are as wonderful to wear as Merino wool.

Its delicate composition and natural properties come together to offer consumers a multitude of benefits beyond a garment’s mere appearance, while its tailorability and easy-to-handle traits make Merino a delight to work with for designers across the world.

Soft, comfortable and breathable, Merino is a highly efficient insulator, keeping the wearer cool and fresh in hot temperatures, and toasty warm in colder weather. Wool also has the innate ability to both absorb excess moisture as well as repel large quantities of liquid, which means Merino can minimise odour and resists soiling. These properties make Merino particularly suited to the sportswear and undergarment markets.

And of course, Australian Merino translates into luxurious, resilient textiles with low wrinkle and superior drape, which helps explain why the fibre is so highly sought-after by many of the world’s leading manufacturers, designers and retailers.

The Woolmark Company invests in identifying fashion trends and in understanding consumer behaviours to communicate the unique benefits of Merino wool and to maximise the international demand for the fibre.

The Merino fibre has a wide range of attributes that make it the stylistic choice of the world’s leading fashion designers. It is super soft, drapes beautifully, and has a natural elasticity that means it effortlessly follows the form of the body. 

Tailors love working with Merino because it cuts cleanly, won’t crush with handling, and responds instantly to ironing. It is trans-seasonal, can be woven or knitted, and, by working with The Woolmark Company, you can massage Merino into whatever form best suits your artistic vision while upholding the quality and superiority associated with pure Merino.

There is a multitude of reasons why designers choose to work with Merino Wool. The fibre inspires creations for the everyday as well as for the catwalks of the world’s top fashion houses. The finished product is soft with superior drape, follows the form of the wearer’s body thanks to exceptional elasticity and can be knitted or woven into the latest trends of unique statement pieces.

Anti-static

Merino is much less likely to cling to one’s body due to its moisture absorption qualities.

Multi-climate

While synthetics are passive, Merino is active, reacting to changes in your body temperature to insulate and keep you warm when you are cold but release heat and moisture when you are hot.

Colour

Merino has a delightful hue, and, when dyed, a Merino garment is colourfast.

Controlled Felting

Controlled felting, “milling” or “fulling” is a finishing treatment used on Australian merino wool to achieve a number of effects including increased thickness, reduced air permeability and increased strength.

Elasticity

The natural elasticity of Merino fibres means they stretch with the wearer, but then return to their natural shape so there is less chance of garments sagging or losing their shape.

Handle and Drape

Merino has excellent natural handle. Its renowned drape is due to the fineness of the fibres as well as the natural elasticity and resilience of Merino.

Moisture absorption

Australian Merino wool has much greater capacity to absorb moisture vapour, which is why it has excellent breathability.

Permanent press

Merino can be permanently set by the use of temperature and moisture, giving designers the freedom to create a wide range of shapes and styles.

Softness

Prickly wool clothing is a thing of the past. Merino is much finer than other types of wool and feels luxuriously gentle against your skin.

Tailorability

The fact that Merino does not fray and pins don't mark it are just two of the reasons that make Merino a delight to work with.