Perino garment - Maree MacLean
Fur makes runway come back
New Zealand’s possum fur trade got a lift last week as big-name fashion labels featured Perino in their latest
collections.
It’s fur but not as we know it. The luxury blend of possum fur and cashmere or merino yarn was a sensation on the runway
with both Zambesi and The Noble Savage designers using the knitted product in dresses, cardigans, hats, socks and
home-ware.
Perino has been big in the tourist market for a number of years but its move into high fashion this season is exciting
for the manufacturer Woolyarns NZ who sees excellent future returns.
“High-end fashion designers are asking for more from their suppliers. Products need to meet high standards in regards to
quality and sustainability. Perino fits all these criteria,” says Woolyarns marketing manager Jimad Khan.
“Perino is a unique blend of yarn using sustainably sourced Brushtail possum fur, cashmere or fine merino wool. Perino
yarns are lightweight, low-pilling, breathable, and anti-odour.
“The benefits for designers and brands when working with the Perino yarn is that the knitted or woven fabric is 55
percent warmer than merino weight for weight and 35 percent warmer than cashmere weight for weight.”
Next year Woolyarns plan to exhibit their Perino yarn collection at Pitti Immagine Filati in Florence, Italy.
Pitti Immagine Filati is the main international event for the knitting yarn industry.
The event attracts the world’s finest knitting manufacturers, fashion designers, and brands as they all look for the
latest innovations and trends.
“Presenting Perino to the international market is an important next step for Woolyarns as it expands into high fashion,”
says Khan.
Woolyarns aim is to increase sales of Perino by 25 percent through export sales over the next two years.
Woolyarns New Zealand is Australasia’s leading yarn engineer and spinner of high quality yarn.
New Zealand's possum fur industry is worth $130 million to the NZ economy annually.