Twelve finalists have been selected from a global pool of world-class talent in the Woolmark Performance Challenge. This year the Woolmark Performance Challenge partnered with motorsport leader, Alpinestars - the world-leading manufacturer of professional racing products and apparel - to inspire finalists to showcase new possibilities for Merino wool in cutting-edge performance innovation. Explore the innovative product solutions for performance that harness the unique natural properties of Merino wool.
“The level of innovation, dedication, and eagerness to explore the world of motorsports the students’ communicated in their WPC submissions this year was incredible. We are excited to see what comes next for these inspirational young students!”
- Cameron Wallace (Sustainable Materials Specialist), Alpinestars
Accademia di Belle Arti di Macerata, Italy
Sofia Fortuna
Aerisknit-X – A multi-layer glove that combines Australian Merino wool with biomimetic design principles inspired by the structure of animal paws and human sensory systems.
Accademia di Belle Arti di Macerata, Italy
Beatrice Finucci
FLOW – A high-performance base-layer combining Merino wool with Nomex, Spandex and silver fibre, featuring graduated compression, an integrated sock and tear-away system at the ankle for emergency removal.
AMFI – Amsterdam Fashion Institute, Netherlands
Fabian Melvyn Korrubel
Mycro-Armor – Australian Merino wool and fungal fibre blend, coated with plant-based flame retardants.
Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology, China
Waikei Tai
PassionShield: Safety in the Fire – Merging Merino wool’s natural fire resistance in a hybrid material that maximises protection against burns and impact.
IED Milano, India
Amogh Ganapathi
Aetherdyne – Base-layer with precision-engineered knit structures and strategic airflow zones.
Professional Institute of International Fashion, Japan
Rio Matsumoto
TRUSS – Vibration dispersion using wool blended with Cordura.
Swinburne University of Technology, Australia
Emilio Martinez
Aeroweave – Merino wool knit using thermo-intelligent shape-memory polymers that create expandable ribbed mesh zones as temperature fluctuates.
University of Oregon, United States of America
Chloe Burchard
Vaporate – Expandable mesh using intelligent geometry combining Merino wool with active auxetic technology.
University of Oregon, United States of America
Jacob T. Kauff
Nattara – Thermoregulatory structure powered by heat-reactive Bacillus Subtilis Natto bacteria, bio-printed onto performance wool garments.
University of Oregon, United States of America
Lauren Kochaver
XYLOTECH – Merino wool textile inspired by plant xylem, guiding moisture to high-airflow zones for rapid evaporation.
University of Oregon, United States of America
Lisa Ly
ArmoWool – A two-yarn Merino wool blend to create knitted or woven surfaces for outer protection.
University of Oregon, United States of America Lulu West
Lulu West
Nanocell - Nanofibres wrapped in modulating buckle-like formations around individual Merino wool fibres to enhance flexibility and air directional control.
