Latest wool fashions showcased locally
AWI provides commercially available wool garments to the fashion shows of regional events across Australia, to help showcase the fibre and build demand for the wool products.
Showcasing the latest wool apparel of some of Australia’s greatest brands and retailers, the AWI Runway Kit was launched 13 years ago and has been on tour across Australia ever since.
“The curated collection of garments assists the organisers of regional shows to showcase great examples of wearable wool fashion at their events. The collection contains commercially available wool outfits that can be bought in Australia,” said AWI Events Project Manager, Vanessa Peyton.
Each year, the AWI Runway Kit is used by the organisers of a wide selection of events, from large shows like the Australian Sheep & Wool Show in Bendigo, Victoria, to smaller events like the Karoonda Farm Fair & Show in South Australia.
Garments from the AWI Runway Kit being showcased to the crowds at the Karoonda Farm Fair & Show, South Australia, in March. Pictured are the ZW Collection Draped Pencil Dress from Zara (left) and the 100% wool Poppy Dress from Iris & Wool (right).
One of the garments from the AWI Runway Kit at the Don Brown Memorial Merino Ewe Competition in Condobolin, NSW, in February. Pictured is the 100% Merino Wool Funnel Neck Knit and 80% wool Mini Skirt from Seed Heritage.
“The AWI Runway Kit has featured in the Karoonda Farm Fair fashion parades for some 10 years and its appearance at the 40th Karoonda Farm Fair & Show brought an exquisite selection of garments by iconic Australian designers to the crowd during the two days of the event at the end of March,” said the coordinator of the Karoonda Farm Fair fashion parades, Elizabeth Kerr.
“This year’s parades, run by the Mallee Storm Netball Club, showcased the timeless and high quality wool clothing from Country Road, Marcs, Oxford, Saba, Seed Heritage, Uniqlo, Zara and local brand Iris & Wool from Burra in South Australia.”
Other events at which the AWI Runway Kit has recently been exhibited include the Don Brown Memorial Merino Ewe Competition, Condobolin, NSW (February); SA Stud Merino Expo, Burra (March); Queensland State Sheep Show, Roma (May); and Campbell Town Show, Tasmania (May).
Upcoming shows at which you can view the AWI Runway Kit include the Australian Sheep & Wool Show, Bendigo, Victoria (July) and Sheepvention, Hamilton, Victoria (August).
“The AWI Runway Kit has been refreshed to include looks from the Autumn/Winter 2025 collections of leading brands such as Cable, Iris & Wool, Marcs, Sass & Bide, Seed Heritage, Trenery, Uniqlo, and Witchery,” Vanessa said.
“The Kit is available for loan to suitable wool-focused events across regional Australia – it is contained in a robust wardrobe case for ease of storage and transport.”
Enquiries from event organisers interested in borrowing the AWI Runway Kit should be directed to Vanessa Peyton at vanessa.peyton@wool.com.
This article appeared in the Winter 2025 edition of AWI’s Beyond the Bale magazine that was published in June 2025. Reproduction of the article is encouraged.
