Woolmark Performance Challenge
Competition
Finalist, 2021
The Woolmark Performance Challenge is a global product innovation competition designed to facilitate innovative, environmentally-considerate product solutions for the sports and performance market, by harnessing the unique natural properties of Australian Merino wool.
I worked with a brief from Salewa, an Italian adventure/activewear company, to design a mountaineering garment. I focused on a base layer garment and designed it to provide users with protection of their extremities in case of falling accidents by creating built-in flexible armour. To design this I experimented on Brother knitting machines to knit spacer fabrics with sustainable thermoplastic filaments in strategic locations between the face and back which can absorb shocks from impact. The knit-structure and merino combination of the design not only acts as protection to the wearer but also creates a comfortable, soft, and breathable garment with moisture wicking and insulating properties. This material has the potential to decrease the likelihood of injury and revolutionise safety garments in the sportswear industry. ​
With 139 participating universities across 21 countries my design was selected as one of six finalists. As a finalist in the competition I participated in a mentoring scheme through personal zoom sessions with designers from Hugo Boss, Studio Eva X Carola, Woolmark and Salewa, to accelerate and elevate my concept before presenting it to the judges. I was flown to Paris to promote my design and attend a networking event with the international industry partners.
