Stab resistant fabric at Air New Zealand Fashion Week
17 Sep '07
3 min read
Also modelled by the mannequin is a machine-washable suit that, in a world first, is made from 100 per cent wool (18.5-19 micron) without the use of any chemicals, is shrink resistant, and has high natural stretch and a lively drape.
The Natural Easy Care (NEC) fabric was developed by researchers from AgResearch's Textiles team, based at Lincoln near Christchurch, for client Australian Wool Innovations (AWI).
AgResearch Chief Executive Dr Andrew West showed his support for the NEC fabric technology by wearing a wool suit made from an NEC fabric during the 2007 National Fieldays. “We demonstrated a shirt made from this fabric earlier this year but this is the first suit to be made from this amazing natural material. It's machine washable but do remember to take it off first!” he says.
Traditionally, wool has not been used for business shirting because it has to be lightweight. To enable weaving, two single yarns are plied together but they become too thick to use for garments such as shirts.
The NEC fabric utilises a single worsted yarn which is created by specially designed rollers that are easily retro-fitted to an existing spinning frame.
The grooved rollers split the wool strand into micro-yarns, which are made up of well interlocked fibres. The resulting single yarn has improved surface abrasion resistance, to withstand the stresses and strains imposed during weaving, and can be woven into a light-weight fabric.
Whilst the development of this wool suit is well advanced, there is still some work required before it is fully viable.
AgResearch Senior Scientist Dr Surinder Tandon says the suiting fabric has a number of beneficial qualities. “The fabric does not rely on any chemical treatments. This means that there are significant environmental benefits, which we believe will also be an advantage for retailers eager to serve the needs of discerning, environmentally aware consumers.”
Dr Tandon has travelled to China, Korea, Japan and Mexico over the last 24 months advising manufacturers on retro-fitting their spinning frames with the technology. “It is a surprisingly easy conversion,” he says.
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