A group of second year AUT Industrial Design students presented the outcomes of a paper centred on the use of strong wool in new product designs.
Traditionally used in carpets, rugs and upholstery, strong wool makes up 80 percent of New Zealand’s total wool clip. But at present, the cost of shearing and processing strong wool is higher than its market value. Industry experts from along the supply chain, including south Wairarapa farm Palliser Ridge, WoolWoorks, WoolYarns, Autex, Maxwell Rodgers Fabrics, and Bremworth, partnered with RAU to deliver the paper.
The student projects, shown in a pop up exhibition in Te Wai Ngutu Kākā Gallery, were well received by the public and industry representatives, who noted the breadth of applications and the innovative use of strong wool as a material.