WA designers communicate the hidden language of woollen fashion

Western Australian wool is set to take centre stage in a unique project showcasing the work of some of the state's most prominent fashion designers.
Ray Costarella, Megan Salmon and Rebecca Patterson are just some of the heavyweights to have thrown their name behind the project, aimed at dispelling myths slating wool as an "itchy, uncomfortable" fabric.
A joint initiative between Curtin University's department of design, the Department of Agriculture WA (DAWA) and the designers themselves, the Design for Comfort Project will see five WA-based designers create a capsule collection utilising wool as their main material.
The designs will then be "interpreted" by DAWA's new $250,000 whole garment production system and showcased at the opening of the AWI World Merino Conference staged in the Swan Valley in July.
Project manager Anne Farren said the work with the fashion designers was part of the larger Design for Comfort Project which included scientific research into areas such as precision selection and appraisal of fibre, and reverse engineering of cloth and comfort properties in woollen garments.
The participants selected for the project, which include up-and-coming
Designers Louise Snook and Melissa Yap, were selected for their ability to think outside the square, she said.
"These designers are creative thinkers who were excited by the challenge of this project and keen to be actively engaged in the research, development and marketing process. Young and emerging designers have been included. . . to ensure the continuation of this initiative and transfer of knowledge to the next generation of designers."
Without wanting to give too much away Salmon, who began incorporating wool into her designs six years ago, said the fabric developed in the project had become the foundation of an "exciting new episode" in her self-titled label's knitwear development.
"Together we have explored the use of a Jimmy Pike artwork and it has culminated in a fabric that operates very differently to my previous work. The wool itself is extremely soft and malleable and the interpreted graphic has provided new textures to work with."
Salmon's work, along with that of her peers, will also feature in a 60-page publication reflecting the history and culture of Western Australian wool, to be launched at the conference.