Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) in collaboration with Shandong Ruyi Group (Ruyi) - one of the most famous textile and garment manufacturers in China – have created the new range of textiles called Merino Fresco.

The range of fabrics in the Merino Fresco collection have been specially created for the spring summer seasons.

There are both formal and casual woven textiles within the Merino Fresco collection. One is a pure Australian Merino wool and wool/silk blend woven suit fabric; high in quality and the ideal choice for men’s formal suiting

Another is a blend of Australian Merino wool with silk, linen or cotton to provide a specialty fabric perfect for smart casual wear including jackets, trousers and shirting

Merino Fresco fabrics have been woven with high quality, luxury, and the breathability required for the spring and summer months in mind.

The Merino Fresco textiles available are luxuriously smooth, have a soft handle and natural luster. The colours available are elegant – patterns include refined check, pinstripes, traditional herringbones and ‘barely there’ stripes.

The fabric provides unique qualities including anti-static, anti bacteria, and anti-creasing. The natural durability, breathability, comfort, drape and tailorability of Australian Merino wool are all attributes of Merino Fresco as well as new finishing technologies to ensure the fabrics are easy to care for, have a comfortable level of stretch and have anti-stain qualities.

Mr Jimmy Jackson, Global Product Development Manager at AWI said “working with recognised textile manufacturing organizations such as Ruyi is invaluable for product development”.

Ruyi Group has certificates for ISO9001 (International Organisation for Standardisation, responsible for international quality standards) and ISO14001 and has set up a green channel to meet the product requirements of the international apparel market. The company takes a leading role in technological innovation and product research in China – Ruyi has been noted by China Textile Information Centre as the Wool Textile Research and Development Base.

“The demand for high quality men’s suits in China booms every year with the growing population. Australian Merino wool is recognised in China as a high quality and luxurious fibre and it is important we continue to develop new innovative Australian Merino wool fabrics to fit the needs and requirements of this strong segment within the apparel market” said Mr Qiu Dong, Managing Director, Shandong Ruyi Group.

Ruyi Group anticipates Merino Fresco will to be a highly desirable product.

Merino Fresco is one of many developments being initiated by AWI to ensure Australian Merino wool fabrics are appropriate for the demands of the apparel market place – and suitable for all seasons including spring and summer.

Merino Fresco will be available through Shandong Ruyi Group in 2007 and on display at INTERTEXTILE, Beijing, 22nd – 24th of March 2007. Intertextile attracts over 45,000 key buyers, designers, and retailers who attend to source garment fabrics and accessories; it is one of the leading apparel textile trade fairs in the world.