The fibre properties of wool contribute to the attributes that end users seek in modern clothing. Softness of touch, lustre, bright colours and drape are all-important considerations in final design of the most modern textile apparel.

At the turn of the century, suppliers of wool and manufactures were aware of the contribution the attributes of wool made to the final garment. With the increasing trend to modernisation, the wool industry turned to blending of fibre components to meet the specifications of the down stream processors, but usually at a nominal cost.

Additionally, the horizontal development of the structure of the wool industry meant that the messages relating to the attributes of the wool fibre, and their contribution to improved processing or the individualisation of product rapidly disappeared. Currently there is some re-awakening of the contribution of individual fibre components to product attributes but this is at a reasonably small level.