The Wool Revolution

The time is right for wool to return to the world stage.

Liz Mitchell is inspired by the beauty of New Zealand’s strong wool. Through her exploration into the fibre, and meeting many fellow ambassadors, artisans and farmers along the way, Liz and her partners believe the time is right for wool to return to the world stage. Using the transformational process of felting she is creating contemporary bespoke designs, art pieces, and homewares that transform spaces – and lives.  

Wool’s versatility, beauty and value truly make it one of the best fibres in the world. It is regenerative, recyclable, non-allergenic, temperature regulating, sound and moisture-absorbing, flame-resistant, durable, and biodegradable. New Zealand strong wool is an untapped resource that can be transformed into tactile products perfect for the world’s built environment, but has been forgotten – replaced by synthetic fibres and plastics that pollute our world.  

Our mission is to see New Zealand strong wool used in every home, showcased in wardrobes and architectural spaces in a multitude of ways that will realise economic and environmental benefits for everyone across the supply chain. Liz Mitchell’s design-led approach highlights New Zealand’s strong wool as a regenerative resource and puts wool design back on the world stage. We are collaborating with experts to take it further than ever before. 

The Campaign for Wool 

Over the last few years, Liz’s love of wool has deepened with her exploration into New Zealand’s strong wool industry. Having met many fellow ambassadors, partners, artisans and farmers along the way - people who share her love of wool and its potential to improve our lives in so many different ways - Liz and her partners believe the time is right for wool to return to the world stage.

As an Ambassador for Campaign for Wool, a global endeavour initiated in 2010 by the former Prince of Wales, Liz and her partners are working together to create a secure, regenerative future for New Zealand strong wool. Backed by science and lead by community, Campaign for Wool promotes the functionality and technical performance of wool fibre, and its benefits for the delicate ecosystem of our planet.  

The team at Liz Mitchell believe the relationship between wool and fashion in New Zealand is one of circularity and human connection. It is an industry we can be incredibly proud of and should continue to invest in – both its product and its people.

This Raw Material | Exhibition

2023 Exhibition

After exhibiting This Raw Material at the Corban Estate Arts Centre at the end of 2023, Liz has been establishing the Wool and Natural Fibres Textile Hub to create a space for other creators, artists, researchers and innovators who share a strong interest in working with strong wool. Having received an AGMARDT grant to pursue this, Liz was able to invest in wet-felting and needle-felting machinery, and in January 2024 began her first four-day Summer School program ‘Off-Loom Weaving and Felting with Liz Mitchell’.

ARTIST | ANNE NOBLE

Artist Anne Noble ONZM has created a series of sheep portraits that she has gifted to Liz Mitchell in support of her Wool Revolution PledgeMe Campaign.

Renowned for her work that examines our relationship to the natural world, Anne Noble’s portraits of sheep reveal them as intelligent, perceptive beings that are in tune with each other and their environment. We are invited to wonder if the qualities of their wool might speak too for their qualities as living creatures.  Each portrait is limited to an edition of three prints, and all proceeds from the sale of these works will go to support Liz’s vision to transform our attitude to wool and its extraordinary qualities.

Anne Noble, Sheep Portrait, 2023, archival inject on 310gsm Canson Baryta paper, 750mm X 500mm. 

Limited edition signed art prints kindly donated by artist Anne Noble ONZM available: PledgeMe | The Wool Revolution

PLEDGEME CAMPAIGN

In 2023, Liz established a PledgeMe campaign to assist funding The Wool Revolution. Money pledged will go towards supporting and creating educational material for the exhibition and further establishing the Wool and Natural Fibres Textile Hub at Corban Estate Arts Centre. This means we can carry on with our work creating beautiful made-to-order garments and wool-based homewares, continue running educational events and workshops, and get our community excited about wool again!