Looking Goot in Australian wool

Wool research body Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) has joined forces with emerging Sydney designer Josh Goot to develop a range incorporating merino fibre.
AWI approached Goot - whose self-named label is now in its third season - to design a range built around Australian merino wool jersey, having seen his previous work with cotton jersey, confirmed AWI communications manager fashion and retail Melissa Grace.
"We wanted to show that wool is a modern fibre that shares many qualities with cotton, can be thrown in the wash and is easy care, not an image that wool is traditionally known for," Grace said.
The range - showcased at Goot's catwalk show on October 27 as part of Mercedes Australian Fashion Week (MAFW) - featured a pure merino wool fabrication from Sydney mill DPK.
Goot said he was attracted to wool jersey because of the ease and comfort it offered.
"I was amazed when I saw the fabric from DPK. I had no idea wool could be so soft."
He described wool as "extremely appropriate" to the Australian market.
"It's very lightweight and it breathes beautifully. It's also very relevant to Australia from a cultural point of view."
While the partnership has thus far involved use of existing DPK product, Goot aims to collaborate with DPK in future to formulate innovative fabrications.
AWI joined forces with high street fashion brand Kookai to develop a wool range earlier this year. Grace said the Kookai range was a "huge success".
"We saw the high fashion sector as the next step," she said.
She confirmed AWI had also approached high-end Sydney label Easton Pearson and aimed to forge an "ongoing partnership" with the brand to develop wool based ranges and innovative fabrications.