RAF SIMONS PARTNERS WITH THE WOOLMARK COMPANY FOR FALL

by Stephen Garner
Raf Simons Pitti Uomo Willy Vanderperre
Raf Simons by Willy Vanderperre

The Woolmark Company has announced a new partnership with fashion designer Raf Simons for the development of his fall/winter 2017 collection that will feature fine Merino wool jersey, wovens and knits sourced from some of the world’s best fabric and yarn manufacturers including Manifattura SESIA and Olimpias Group.

Merino wool has always been an intrinsic element of Raf Simons’ collections. “I appreciate that The Woolmark Company encourages brands to come up with innovative ways to work with Merino wool – a material that I love and often use in my own collections,” Simons explained. “It feels very natural for me to partner with The Woolmark Company to create something special using the finest wool in the world.”

“As the global authority on wool, one of the world’s finest natural fibers, The Woolmark Company prides itself on partnering with designers that continually push the boundaries of contemporary fashion,” added Stuart McCullough, managing director of The Woolmark Company. “Through our partnership with Raf Simons, one of the industry’s most creative visionaries we are able to demonstrate the distinct versatility of Merino wool far beyond its traditional positioning in the suiting market. Through his iconic work, Raf Simons will bring a newfound creativity to the world of wool.”

This partnership marks the beginning of a longstanding relationship where The Woolmark Company will continue to work closely with Simons’ design team to support with innovations and sourcing of Merino wool.