Technology adds lustre to new market
Mercerised Australian Merino wool - breathable, silky, soft and flexible - forms the foundation of US base-layer clothing giant Kenyon’s new range
The demand for Australian Merino wool to be used in base-layer clothing is growing, as the fibre’s characteristics become more advanced and widely understood. Kenyon Consumer Products, a major US base-layer apparel manufacturer for the sporting, outdoor, hunting and fishing markets, is working with AWI to create a new range for their collections.
Kenyon is said to be the largest producer in this market, and its products are regarded as being at the quality end of the base-layer clothing market. The Kenyon Merino range is made using innovative ‘mercerised’ Merino wool. The mercerising procedure leaves the Merino fibre with a silk-like appearance. Customers can actually see the improved lustre and the luxury of garments made from mercerised Merino.
To gain the benefits of mercerised Merino, the treatment is applied to worsted top. During treatment the scale structure on the fibre’s surface is removed, increasing the amount of specular reflection (directing reflected light) and the lustre or brightness of the fibre. Mercerised Merino is more compatible to blending with fibres such as cashmere and silk. The end result is Merino wool-knitted fabric that is durable, soft against the skin, versatile, breathable and flexible – all of which makes it ideal for activewear.
There are three initial styles in the Kenyon range of Merino thermal apparel including a men’s short-sleeve top, men’s long-sleeve top and thermal bottoms. The preliminary range has three colour options - sand, navy and black - for the thermal base layer.
Kenyon has previously worked with synthetic fibres to produce thermal apparel. Today, the drive from consumers towards natural fibres, combined with the benefits of new technology, has led Kenyon to form a working relationship with AWI.
“The capabilities of the Merino fibre, combined with its natural durability and performance attributes, made it the top option when we were looking to create this range of thermal activewear,” says Andy Curtis from Kenyon. “We are astounded by the luxurious quality offered by the mercerised Merino. So many of our customers have been impressed when viewing the new collection: many can’t believe their eyes when we tell them it is made using Australian Merino wool.”
Kenyon’s new range of thermal offerings provides customers with maximum comfort and warmth at all temperature and activity levels. The range was recently launched at trade shows in January and February 2007 across the US, including SHOT Show (hunting and fishing), SKI show and Outdoor Retailer.
“The range has also been well received by one of our military customers who have printed a full adoption in their major catalogue, released in February,” Mr Curtis says.
Kenyon sees the opportunity to use the innovative mercerised Merino in more applications, including women’s wear, and a larger variety of styles in the future.
More information: www.merinoinnovation.com; www.kenyonconsumer.com
Return to Beyond the Bale Issue 27 index page.