AgResearch scientists will today reveal some of the world-first fabrics they have invented which will feature in their runway show on Friday (September 19th) as part of Air New Zealand Fashion Week.

"By profiling our fabrics we hope to attract the interest of manufacturers who may want to commercially produce and market our textiles,” says Allanah James AgResearch Corporate Affairs Manager.

"At our media conference in Auckland today (12.30pm September, 15th) we will show a few of the garments that will be in our runway show collection and explain the unique benefits of the fabrics used to create them.”

A team of AgResearch Textiles scientists has worked with ten of New Zealand's top fashion designers to create a special AgResearch Designer Collection of garments made from the revolutionary fabrics, based on Merino wool, which will be launched at the AgResearch runway show.

"Having our scientists work with top fashion designers has been a first for everyone concerned. But this 'marriage' of science and fashion really works. The results are wonderful. It also highlights the great opportunities for wool," says Ms James.

"We are very grateful to the designers who have freely invested their time and talent into creating the AgResearch Designer Collection - Anna Stretton, Cybele, Jaeha, Jimmy D, Hailwood, Salasai, Sera Lilly, sherieyvonne, Stitch Ministry and twentysevennames.”

AgResearch General Manager Food & Textiles Group, Dr Robert Finch says seven AgResearch fabrics feature in the garments in the show - and most are a world-first in textile development. “With New Zealand and international fashion leaders invited to our runway show, it's an outstanding opportunity to highlight the scientific expertise AgResearch Textiles can provide," says Dr Finch.

"Most of our fabrics are wool-based and they perform better than the best synthetics - they are also shrink-resistant without needing to be treated with harsh chemicals - another unique benefit. They are lighter, softer and finer than anything on the market."

The AgResearch developed fabrics are:

• Natural Easy Care 100% wool shirting and suiting fabrics.
  A shirt or a suit from this fabric can be thrown in the washing machine and tumble dried. That's a world first for a wool suit - and it needs no chemicals to stop it shrinking. A new spinning technology allows these fabrics to be made in much lighter weights offering the superior comfort and drape of wool in cool summer fabrics.
• Non-Woven Windproof Fleece.
  Another world-first. It carries moisture out through the fabric to keep you dry - yet it blocks the wind coming in. No other wool fabric can do both – let moisture pass through it while blocking wind coming in. Other fabrics such as ski parkas do this by having gussets inserted in them – there’s no need for that with this fabric.
• Stab-resistant and flame resistant fabric.
  The fabric will resist puncture or knife penetration, protect from flames, is lightweight, comfortable to wear and has the benefits of the breathability and comfort of wool as well as flame resistance. The fabric is made from a knitted Vectran base fabric (a non-cut, ultra high strength liquid crystal polymer) and combined with short wool fibre in a novel knitted construction developed by AgResearch.
• Vintage Merino.
  This fabric has an aged and washed look, achieved through the innovative use of novel dyeing technology.
• Tonal dyeing.
  When placed in a one colour dye bath the fabric automatically dyes itself to two tonal colours – one lighter and one darker.
• Next-to-Skin fabric.
  Novel low-twist superfine merino wool yarn has all the benefits of wool but the softness of cotton and is finer than any other natural fabric on the market. It is perfect for next-to-skin apparel (underwear, knitted jersey etc) with greater softness, warmth and comfort properties than conventional wool counterparts, and moreover it is quick to dry.
• Novel Knit jacketing.
  An innovative knit construction with versatile pattering options, which is cost effective to reproduce. Offers a wide range of applications from casual wear to street wear to formal wear.

To arrange interviews contact:

Allanah James
AgResearch Corporate Affairs Manager
029 983 3989
allanah.james@agresearch.co.nz