Latest Merino at the Melbourne Fashion Festival
The latest in Australian Merino wool went on show at the recent L’Oréal Melbourne Fashion Festival (LMFF) when AWI presented a unique industry event. Following on from the LMFF business seminar, AWI staged an exhibition of numerous images – printed onto wool canvases – of Josh Goot’s signature black pure Merino wool tank top, to demonstrate the versatility of the Australian Merino fibre.
The aim was also to display the different interpretations and inspirations drawn from Australian Merino by some of the world’s most renowned photographers, including Ben Watts, Richard Bailey, Georges Antoni, Jay Harrison, Max Doyle and Jon Compson.
More than 300 guests from across the globe attended the event, including key buyers, designers, manufacturers, fashion business personnel and media.
“We were pleased to host this unique industry event as part of the L’Oréal Melbourne Fashion Festival 2007,” says AWI’s fashion communications manager, Melissa Grace. “The exhibition presented the opportunity for key fashion industry personnel to see and understand the versatility of Australian Merino wool. The event also provided AWI with the opportunity to unveil exciting additions to Australian Merino wool that will take the fibre into the future.”
The LMFF business seminar was provocative, informative and inspiring, providing a forum for industry leaders to network and obtain global fashion industry intelligence on the most relevant issues affecting the future. Speakers included:
- Jane Shepherdson (UK) – former brand director of giant UK retailer Topshop and regarded as the most powerful woman in British retail;
- Jasper Conran (UK) – British design phenomenon;
- Joe Lupo and Jesse Garza of Visual Therapy (US) – leaders in luxury lifestyle consulting and style dressing in the US;
- Paul Charron (US) – CEO of Liz Claiborne Inc;
- Jean-Jacques Picart (France) – consultant to Louis Vuitton; and
- Marion Hume (UK) – fashion journalist and commentator.
“It is important for AWI to work with key festivals such as LMFF,” Ms Grace says. “It provides those attending with the information about Australian Merino wool they desire: to show the innovations, the technology, the creations and the opportunities to the key people within the fashion industry.”
More information: www.merinoinnovation.com
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