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Fleece to Fashion win for local designer

Fleece to Fashion win for local designer

We love being able to work with fellow designers who share our passion for Merino wool. We have known Sam Stolhand (from Young in southern NSW) for some time and we were very excited to learn of her recent success at the annual Fleece to Fashion awards held in Armidale.

Sam has been using Woolerina fabric for some time now in both her "ready to wear" line, sold through her shop Bush Beautique in Young, and couture designs and this year she took out the "top gong" in the Evening Wear section with a gown made entirely from our 100% Merino wool interlock fabric.

Woolerina Merino wool interlock fabric in winning Fleece to Fashion design awards

Sam (pictured above right) with her winning design.

The following article appeared in the Young Witness newspaper:

A local fashion designer and shop owner from Young picked herself up a trifecta of wins at the recent Fleece to Fashion Awards in Armidale.

Samantha Stolhand and three of her designs were awarded first prize in separate sections at the awards that included active-wear, fantasy-wear and evening-wear.

Samantha's entry in the active-wear section was drape style yoga pants with a bat-wing top and neck gator. According to Sam the outfit showcased the versatility of wool in its ability to drape, breath and move with the body.

For the evening-wear section Sam designed and produced a stunning gown. "The evening-wear gown was all the about shape, drape and movement of the fishtail design which featured one sleeve and a draped neckline with tassel trim," she said. 

"The highlight of this dress is the ultimate wool jersey fabric sourced from Woolerina in Forbes. 

"This (Woolerina) is where Warwick Rolfe handpicks each batch of wool to ensure that the finished fabric is the highest quality possible."

Warwick Rolfe is the owner of Woolerina in Forbes and Sam attributes her success to him and his business.

"It is due to generosity of such entrepreneurs that makes it possible for designers to excel," she said.

"The fleece to fashion awards celebrates wool in all its forms and promotes Australian designers and Australian merino wool producers," Ms Stolhand explained.

Each year there is an underlying theme to the awards with this year's theme focused on sustainability.

"[It] encourages designers to consider garment lifespan and multipurpose as well as waste minimalisation and environmental effects," Sam said.

"More than ever in our drought stricken climate it is important for wool designs to have long term value and purpose."

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CONGRATULATIONS SAM, from all of us at Woolerina!

Penny. x

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