UK designers prove wool is not just hot but also cool

For Spring/Summer 2014 the designers worked with Cool Wool proving that wool isn't just for winter.

Christopher Raeburn's collection included three Cool Wool pieces and three hybrid pieces and Jonathan Saunders and Richard Nicoll included six each, alongside other leading designers such as JW Anderson, Vivienne Westwood and Mark Fast who also used wool in their collections - providing an opportunity for wool to be in every woman's wardrobe come spring.

Cool Wool uses fine Australian Merino wool fibre and is transformed into lightweight fabrics and knitwear pieces through design inspiration and modern manufacturing and processing techniques.

Merino wool is an ideal fibre for warmer climates and transitional seasons; therefore Cool Wool was launched to raise awareness amongst consumers that wool can be cool in the warmer seasons, or suitable for the daily transition from outdoor to indoor temperatures and environments - an additional benefit to Merino wool's many inherent natural properties which aids the promotion of wool as a natural, biodegradable and renewable fibre.

Jonathan Saunders' collection was a celebration of interchangeable separates using both knitwear and wovens in unusual psychedelic colour combinations. With relaxed silhouettes and a sense of a carefree spirit, using cleverly constructed Cool Wool bombers with printed techniques and embellishments and soft, lightweight knitwear, this collection revives a 1970s style with a modern, sporty and elegant twist.

Christopher Raeburn launched the season with a dramatic film interpreting the use of Cool Wool in his collection which had the audience transfixed to the large screen visuals, and opened the catwalk with aqua hues softly flowing into smooth caramels, greys, blacks and pinks interspersed with Cool Wool garments.

Again with bombers and sporty urban attributes with a womenswear feel, Christopher Raeburn cleverly provides elegance and finesse as he works with Cool Wool and hybrid fabric combinations. Raeburn from his menswear trend of Sandstorm to a more elegant theme of Mirage, including desert, nature, sand and stone and representing the biodegradable aspect of wool merging back into nature through his moving image created for the season.

Richard Nicoll opted for Cool Wool knitwear; Richard said, "The collection is a celebration of individualism and the knits are an important tool in grounding the looks and defining the character of the collection. Cool Wool knitwear in the collection plays a universally appealing role in displaying the versatility of Merino wool."

The classic striped sweaters, T-shirts, skirts and cardigans contain a Lurex sparkle that helps in making the sweaters have a young and playful aspect.

"The collection is about reworking conservative classics so that they become young, fun and relevant to now. The Merino knits perfectly display these ideas in that although Merino is traditionally viewed classically, I have modernised the context by using it for colourful and pop influenced pieces that bring youth, rebellion and personality to the collection."

Jonathan Saunders, Christopher Raeburn and Richard Nicoll fully embraced Cool Wool in their unique interpretations and following London Fashion Week will now ensure wool will play a part in the offer for Spring/Summer 2014.

Woolmark