September, 2014

A new blend of possum fur and Merino wool has propelled Woolyarns New Zealand to the exclusive fashion market.

The Wellington yarn maker hit the international fashion runway at last month’s NZ Fashion Week, where designers including Maree MacLean featured their luxury possum fur product Perino.

“This was something we have been looking to do,” Woolyarns NZ marketing manager Jimad Khan said. MORE >>>

With apologies to Dame Edna, it’s Goodbye Possums.

New Zealand’s possum fur industry is estimated to be worth $130 million annually to the country’s economy.

Perino, a blend of possum fur and cashmere or merino yarn, recently featured on the catwalk in garments from the latest collection from The Noble Savage.

While possum is popular in the tourist market, the move into high fashion is exciting Lower Hutt manufacturer Woolyarns NZ, which sees big returns.

”High-end fashion designers are asking for more from their suppliers. Products need to meet high standards in regards to quality and sustainability. Perino fits all these criteria,” Woolyarns marketing manager Jimad Khan said. MORE >>>

A possum fur processor looking to expand into the export market foresees no problems getting supplies of the fibre.
Woolyarns New Zealand of Lower Hutt, is the biggest manufacturer of yarn blended from possum fur and merino wool or cashmere.
The possum is regarded as New Zealand’s worst animal pest because it spreads bovine tuberculosis among cattle and deer herds and is also a threat to native wildlife and plants.
That is why it’s targetted in large scale 1080 poisoning campaigns.
Woolyarns’ managing director, Neil Mackie, who also chairs the New Zealand Fur Council, said fur processors rely on possum control operations for their supplies too. MORE >>>