Wool Week is an annual event set to educate, inspire and promote the benefits and the versatility of wool in fashion, furnishing and everyday life, in the UK.
The tradition of using wool to produce clothing dates back several thousand years in Scandinavia. Not only were wool well suited for the harsh climate, it also has a unbelievable long lifespan. A few years back a wool tunic was found in a glacier. And tests revealed the garment was more than 1.700 years old. A throw in wove wool, exhibited at the National Museum of Art, Architecture and Design in Oslo is dating back to the 10th century.
And wool as a textile in Scandinavia is still important today. I grew up with wool garments being a natural part of my everyday wardrobe during the colder months and then when having my own children it became only natural to keep them warm and comfortable too.
Similar to the Nordic countries, UK as well has had long and strong tradition in using the natural textile fibre. But with innovation and new textiles being introduced, wool somehow along the line went out of fashion. The BBC website has a great short story about wool in the UK worth a read. But anyways…
The aim of the Campaign for Wool which basically is the wool industry in the UK, supported by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales as Patron, is to change things around, to get wool back in vogue. Obviously being a Scandinavian, the campaign is preaching to the converted. But through the blog, I’ve discovered there’s an interest and growing demand for more knowledge about wool and its benefits in the UK too. In fact, wool was one of the reasons why I started this blog back in 2009.
After moving to the UK I had so many questions relating to how I dressed my own children so I thought I might as well turn my experience and advice into a blog. I wanted to share how we dress our children in layers, with wool next to skin during the colder days. And perhaps, also sharing the news that innovation has made it possible to make itch free wool.
© Mamaowl
Another aspect worth mentioning is sustainability, that it’s an all-natural, renewable fibre and in contrast to many other textile qualities, wool is environmental friendly.
This October, The Campaign for Wool’s annual Wool Week has been extended and will mark its eighth year with a line up events all over the UK set to take place over sixteen days, from the 7th – 22nd October.
The highlights of events include Wool Week’s major event, ‘Wool Fusion’ a feature pop up installation at 35 Baker Street in Central London. Featuring fabulous fashion and functional clothing to furnishings, fabrics and flooring surrounded by stunning photography and film content. Fashion from Brora, Wool and the Gang, Dashing Tweeds, Pringle of Scotland, Christopher Raeburn, Richard James and Jack Wills and many more will show the latest trends in wool this season. Admission is free.
We will be heading to Truman Brewery to see Best of Britannia, 12 – 13 October, who is celebrating with a Diversity of Wool display. Brands will feature the myriad of ways in which wool is utilised to create produce from fashion to furniture, from homewares to handbags.
For the full event list, please visit campaignforwool.org and I would strongly recommend following the campaign on Twitter to stay up to date on events.
Inspired to do more with wool? Why not check out our favourite London yarn and knitting shop, Knit with Attitude. Where to buy wool in the UK? I would recommend heading straight to Mamaowl, UK’s number one wool specialist.
Interesting facts about the carbon… I didn’t know that!