News Flash

Textile scientists to debut new wool fabrics at NZFW

21 Sep '10

3 min read

After a two year break AgResearch is back at New Zealand Fashion Week 2010 showcasing four new fabrics. All the fabrics are made from wool and the fashions are designed to show off wool's unique benefits.

Professor Warren McNabb, AgResearch's Science & Technology General Manager of Food & Textiles, says New Zealand Fashion Week 2010 provides an outstanding opportunity to launch these world-first fabrics and begin the search for commercial partners who can produce and take them to market.

The new fabrics AgResearch has developed in the last two years have been used by ten leading New Zealand fashion designers to create the AgResearch Fashion Collection. The Collection will feature in the New Zealand Fashion Week 2010 AgResearch Runway Show being held at 4.00pm on Thursday, 23 September 2010.

The fashion designers are:

• Alexandra Owen
• Annah Stretton
• Blak
• Emma Ford
• Michelle Yvette
• NYNE
• Sable & Minx
• Salasai
• Stitch Ministry
• Trix & Dandy

Below are the four unique fabrics that will be profiled in the AgResearch Collection at New Zealand Fashion Week 2010.

Fabric 1: AgResearch novel dyed wool fabric-geometric and random patterns. The opportunity to commercialise the technology for this fabric is still available.

Used in designs by Annah Stretton, Blak, Michelle Yvette, Salasai and Stitch Ministry:
• Unique single dyeing method to produce two colour reversible patterns on wool fabrics and garments.
• Allows late-stage colouring.
• Uses a dyeing process suitable for a wide range of fabric weights and gauges.
• Reduces holding coloured yarn.
• Limitless design from screen to free-hand.
• Yarns, garments, panels or fabric lengths can be treated and dyed.

Fabric 2: AgResearch anti-odour and antistatic next-to-skin wool fabric. The opportunity to commercialise the technology for this fabric is still available.
Used in designs by NYNE, Sable & Minx and Trix & Dandy:
• Unique permanent antistatic, antibacterial and anti-odour properties–breaks existing boundaries.
• More environmentally responsible production than existing technologies–antibacterial agent doesn't leach from fabric.
• Breathability – does not cling to the body.
• Don't need to wash fabric as much to keep fresh.
• Machine washable and quick drying (saves energy).
• Lightweight.
• 100% Merino wool and wool-rich blends.

Fabric 3: AgResearch novel dyed wool fabric - reversible 2-sided colour. The opportunity to commercialise the technology for this fabric is still available.
Used in designs by Michelle Yvette, Salasai and Stitch Ministry:
• World-first reversible two colour fabric produced in a single dyeing.
• Unique dyeing technique that can be used on 100% wool and a wide range of fabrics and fabric weights and gauges.
• Individual garments, panels or lengths canbe dyed.

More AgResearch News...