The Woolmark Company launches art exhibition RETURN at R130 in Shanghai
During this year's Shanghai Fashion Week, the renowned wool textile certification authority, The Woolmark Company, presents the sustainable art exhibition "RETURN" at the curated concept store R130. Showcasing three pieces of naturally biodegraded wool fabrics, this exhibition marks the first time in China that the visual representation of the natural degradation process of this fabric is displayed, leading people to experience the natural charm of wool through art and nature's beauty.
Last April, The Woolmark Company held an immersive performance in a forest area in Chongqing, previously affected by wildfires, raising awareness about the burdens the Earth is facing. They buried beautiful biodegradable merino wool into the soil, nourishing the injured forests with natural proteins, conducting wool biodegradability experiments. After burying the wool fabrics for 2, 3, and 6 months respectively, they were unearthed one by one. It was evident that within just 2 months, wool had begun to degrade rapidly. After 6 months, the fabrics had undergone significant degradation, making them difficult to handle directly.
According to research data from the Australian Wool Innovation, wool can naturally decompose in soil over several months or years, depending on soil type, climatic conditions, and wool characteristics. During the degradation process, wool releases key nutrients such as nitrogen, sulfur, and magnesium back into the soil for plant absorption. Thanks to the unique chemical structure of keratin and the robust hydrophobic outer layer of wool, clean and dry wool fibers are less prone to degradation under normal conditions. This makes wool products more durable and long-lasting.
