A Wool Fusion exhibition of furnishing, fabrics, and flooring was the capstone in a series of events hosted by the Campaign for Wool for annual Wool Week 2017, which took place this month.

The 16-day programme was a testament to the amazing versatility and performance of the fibre, with workshops and talks ranging from Wool and Well-Being in the Extreme, with survival expert John Hudson and Armadillo Merino founder Andy Caughey, to crochet patching with inspirational knitwear designer Katie Jones.

“Activities at Wool Week this year have robustly illustrated how engaged consumers and retailers are with the wool message," said IWTO President and Campaign for Wool COO Peter Ackroyd. "The Campaign has over 340 global industry partners and hopes to build upon this in 2018.”

Retailers and designers

2017's key retailers and designers included Brora, TM Lewin, Walker Slater, Finisterre, Smalls, Wool and The Gang, Jack Wills and John Smedley.

At the Design Centre Chelsea Harbour, some of the most renowned names in the industry – among them J. Robert Scott, Holland & Sherry, and Pierre Frey – welcomed visitors into their showrooms while retailer John Lewis hosted workshops and demonstrations at its flagship store on Oxford Street.

Campaign for Wool

The Campaign for Wool is jointly funded by some of the largest wool grower organisations in the world including British Wool, Australian Wool Innovation/The Woolmark Company, Cape Wools SA and Campaign for Wool New Zealand.

The Campaign was launched in 2010 to educate consumers about the benefits of natural wool, promote wool-rich products to a national audience and help to support and grow the wool industry. Run by a coalition of industry groups convened by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, the Campaign works to engage consumers through exciting fashion, interiors, artisan and design-led activities of which Wool Week is the annual highlight.

www.iwto.org