Australian Merino wool starred alongside exciting young Australian designers at the 25th annual Australian Wool Fashion Awards held in Armidale, NSW, on the weekend.
Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) is the major sponsor of the awards which are designed to encourage young designers to use Australian Merino wool in their work.
AWI Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Len Stephens said the awards also showed the designers the benefits of working with Australian Merino wool, its versatility and the exciting new fabrics available.
“We're delighted to be involved in the Awards – it's great for young designers and it's great for Australian Merino wool,” he said.
Judges for the awards commended the high standard of entries and innovation shown by many designers in the 300-strong field in a number of different categories.
Liane Hilliard from the Academy of Design in Queensland was the winner of the supreme award, taking the top honour with her pink full length evening gown, made with lightweight wool crepe with detailed feather and wool embellishment.
Designers in this year's competition were provided with new fabrics developed by AWI including a soft lightweight suiting material and a wool/microfibre blend fleece fabric.
A team effort from three Academy of Design, Queensland students was the winner of the AWI fabric section award.
“Working with key decision makers through the apparel supply chain is a key part of AWI's business, aimed at increasing the use of Australian Merino wool throughout the world,” Dr Stephens said.
“What better place for AWI to start working with designers than with the next generation of Australian designers taking part in these awards.”
Australian Wool Innovation Ltd
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