Wool news and archive

Woolmark unveils roadmap to accelerate wool sustainability

Woolmark, the global authority on wool, has launched a new sustainability roadmap to unite woolgrowers, supply chains and brands and accelerate low-impact wool production, circularity and enhance animal wellbeing and woolgrower livelihoods. The ‘Woolmark+’ roadmap sets out 13 practical initiatives designed to deliver practical solutions across...

Business

Woolmark introduces first Recycled Wool specification as part of 60th anniversary

Woolmark has expanded its certification programme to now include a specification for recycled wool, making it the first time in the company’s 60 year history that it will apply its certification to a recycled fibre. The new ‘Recycled Wool’ sub-brand falls under the RW-1 Specification, and marks “a significant step towards a more sustainable...

Fashion |In Pictures

Cos teams up with Nativa on regenerative wool capsule

Premium high street retailer Cos has partnered with Merino wool specialist Nativa on a limited-edition capsule collection championing regenerative farming practices “that aim to nurture positive change”. In a statement, Cos said that the 8-piece regenerative wool capsule is part of its ongoing commitment to “traceability and transparency” and...

Fashion

Four Paws shopping guide for a kinder winter wardrobe

Down feathers that ducks or geese lose on their own and that are then collected for puffer jackets or blankets, sheep that are shorn slowly and are happy to get rid of their “burden” - unfortunately, these are all myths that consumers may have in mind when they buy products with materials of animal origin. However, the reality is vastly...

Background |LONG READ

From fibre to garment: the technical 'make-up' of your clothing

In this background piece, we tell you all about the 'technical construction' of your garment. From fibre to garment. We start with the final product, your garment, and go back one step at a time. To the fabrics, the yarns and the fibres/raw materials. We also cover finishing processes. Content • Fabrics (+ finishing processes) • Yarns • Fibres...

Business |Interview Featured

PETA-Interview: “Cruelty is something that is built in”

When Nike recently announced to have changed its CSR policy and committed to the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS), FashionUnited picked up the news under the headline “Nike opts for cruelty-free wool”. The next day, animal rights organisation PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) contacted FashionUnited with the information that the...

Fashion

Nike commits to Responsible Wool Standard

US sporting goods giant Nike has followed its own motto (“Just Do It”) and simply done it, namely decided to do away with wool that causes cruelty to animals. This kind of wool uses a process called mulesing in which strips of skin from the rump and the tail of lambs are cut away, often without any anaesthesia or painkillers. The resulting pain,...

FashionFeatured

PETA launches one million dollar vegan wool challenge

Animal welfare organisation PETA has launched a million dollar vegan wool challenge. PETA, which is the world's largest animal rights organisation, said the wool industry often leaves sheep shaken and bloody in shearing sheds after wool shearing procedures. By launching a challenge with significant prize funding it hopes to encourage the...

FashionFeatured

Peregrine commits to sourcing 100 percent of its wool from regenerative farms

British heritage knitwear brand Peregrine has announced that it is planning to transition to 100 percent regeneratively sourced wool by 2026, working exclusively with UK farms. Peregrine, which has been manufacturing knitwear in England for more than 220 years, sourcing wool from British farmers for over eight generations, is committing to...

Fashion

Johnstons of Elgin launches blanket supporting Scottish farmers

Johnstons of Elgin, one of Scotland’s oldest luxury brands, has partnered with local Scottish farming families to produce a limited-edition Farmers Blanket in celebration of its 225th anniversary. The limited-edition 100 percent Scottish wool blanket supports local farmers in the North East of Scotland, who specialise in breeding Bluefaced...

Fashion

John Smedley launches sweater with Duchy of Cornwall Estate tenants

Family-run British knitwear maker John Smedley, which holds two Royal Warrants, has unveiled a limited-edition Cornwall sweater made exclusively in the UK using British wool. The unisex jumper has been created in partnership with The Campaign for Wool and utilises wool sourced from farming tenants of the Duchy of Cornwall Estate and the sheep...

Fashion

Celtic & Co. collaborates with HD Wool Apparel Insulation

Sustainable Cornish fashion brand Celtic & Co. has teamed up with ethically driven performance-led insulation company HD Wool Apparel Insulation to produce three new jackets for its autumn/winter 2022 collection. The collaboration expands Celtic & Co.’s British-made waxed cotton outerwear offering to include three insulated jackets created using...