A few months ago AgResearch gave the designers samples of the new fabrics and the designers created a range of garments shown in the AgResearch Runway Show at New Zealand Fashion Week (Thursday 23 September).

Designer Kylee Davis of Stitch Ministry, who made a number of garments from AgResearch’s new dyed wool fabric with a reversible two-sided colour effect, wants to use the fabric in her fashion collection which she is taking to the UK in February.

“I would definitely put it in my next collection if it were commercially available to use. Those who’ve seen the garments made with this AgResearch fabric have loved them and I think they would sell well at a retail level.”

Designer Theresa Brady of Sable & Minx is also keen to feature the AgResearch fabric she used. Theresa made a number of garments from AgResearch’s unique anti-odour fabric. This fabric, with its unique antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, doesn’t need to be washed very often – yet it won’t smell.

“It’s a gorgeous merino fabric with wonderful drape, recovery and quality,” says Theresa. “It would be fantastic if it were commercially available. I would certainly use it if it were produced within my price point.”

AgResearch Textile Team Leader Dr Stewart Collie hopes the support of the designers will encourage manufacturers to produce the four new fabrics which our scientists have developed over the past two years at AgResearch’s Lincoln campus near Christchurch.

“We are in the business of scientific research and discovery and our new fabrics are excellent technologies. We hosted today a range of commercial organisations at our runway show and we hope they will see the value of taking our fabrics to market.”

AgResearch Apparel Senior Scientist Dr Surinder Tandon says “There are many properties which make the fabrics world-firsts, from the environmentally sustainable nature of the production process through to their unique benefits.”

“We want to acknowledge the outstanding skill of the ten leading New Zealand designers who created a beautiful collection of garments for us. Without them none of our Fashion Week initiatives would have been possible: Alexandra Owen, Annah Stretton, Blak, Emma Ford, Michelle Yvette, NYNE, Sable & Minx, Salasai, Stitch Ministry and Trix & Dandy.”

View the AgResearch Runway Show

For more information contact:

Allanah James
Corporate Affairs Manager
Ph: 029 983 3989

For interviews contact:

Stewart Collie
AgResearch TextileTeam Leader
Ph: 03 321 8665
stewart.collie@agresearch.co.nz