Prolana Rio Negro

Wool evolved to enable a sheep to efficiently maintain its body temperature in all kinds of weather. The body temperature of a sheep (39°C/102°F) is a little higher than a human (37°C/98.6°F).

The wool fibre is incredibly complex. Here are some of the things that it does, quite naturally. And these natural characteristics are retained when the wool is used in clothing or other textile item.

The wool fibre is laced with tiny air pockets that trap air: this air pocket insulation is one reason we stay warm in wool in cold weather, and cool when the weather is warm.

Wool’s natural breathability also helps the body maintain a comfortable microclimate between the clothing and the skin.
Wool fibres absorb moisture vapour and pull it away from the body.

Each wool fibre is covered with tiny scales (like shingles on a roof) in a structure called the cuticle. The overlapping scales allow wool to shed, rather than absorb, water, rain or other liquids.

At the same time, the small spaces between the cuticle scales permit water vapour to enter and exit.

https://iwto.org/wellness/

This winter, it's all about ... the WARMDROBE!

Peter Ackroyd, chair of IWTO’s Retail Forum, was joined by the Creative Director of Harris Street Hebrides, Mark Hogarth, in a video recorded at the Walker Slater store in Covent Garden, London, and shown today at the IWTO Congress in Puyuan-Tongxiang.

After reviewing the amazing story of Harris Tweed, the current love affair with tweeds and various exports markets, conversation turned to the energy crisis and the coming European winter.

Keeping warm by wearing tweeds is the easy part," says Mark Hogarth. "It's how you layer up which is particularly important.

"But, whether whether you do a three-piece suit or whether you put a thin Merino jumper against your tweed, you know you can be as warm or as cool as you want because, as we know, wool is just such a wonderful breathable fabric. "

iwto.org/congress-2022/

The IWTO Congress opened today in a live/online hybrid format attended by participants in Puyuan-Tongxiang, China, and around the world.

Following the welcomes of IWTO President Wolf Edmayr, China Wool Textile Association President LIU Jiaquiang, and other digniaries, Mr SUN Ruize, Chair of the China National Textile and Apparel Council (CNTAC) and President of the International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF) gave the keynote address.

"The Chinese textile industry is playing a very important part in the economic recovery of China.," Mr Sun said.

"In July 2022 the global textile industry saw a general decline, with Europe markets reaching the lowest point of consumer confidence in 12 months. The Chinese textile industry is now entering into a strategic planning period, implementing a 51.5 billion Yuan investment in R&D. Focus areas are health, biology, materials, space, energy, and digital technology.”

China’s vision, Mr Sun said, is by 2035 to see the country as a main driver of the world's textile technology, an important leader in global fashion and a powerful promoter of sustainable development.

“To deepen global cooperation remains our focus,” Mr Sun added.

We will continue to send updates from the Congress throughout the day. iwto.org/congress-2022/