Crafted from 100% locally farmed and fully biodegradable merino wool, POLO South Africa’s AW24 collection is a farm-to-closet project that considers the life cycle of clothing, and in turn, how it impacts the earth.
In creating this new line, POLO South Africa considered wool’s sustainability, in addition to the warmth and comfort associated with this natural fibre and its capacity to create a truly circular design; 100% wool products leave no trace, as they ultimately return to the earth and enrich the soil through degeneration and are therefore fully biodegradable.
“A landfill is the graveyard of human consumption, and we need solutions to the disposable fast fashion culture that has gone beyond everyday convenience,” says Alia Peer, Creative Director of POLO South Africa. “In the final stages of its life cycle, wool breaks down and adds nutrients back to the soil, making wool a better textile choice when it comes to addressing fashion waste.”
LOCALISED PRODUCTION
The AW24 collection was made in collaboration with Northern Cape farmer, Stefan Gerber, and created with a fully vertically integrated supply chain where all facets of the production process are made in South Africa. The sheep are reared and sheared, the wool is scoured and dyed, spun and knitted into textiles, all within a 450 km radius, ensuring a reduced carbon footprint, and traceable production.
This collection embodies a localised fashion ecosystem and urges a shift away from the fractured, globalised supply chain. “We are driven by an ethos of sustainability in every aspect of our production – from the people involved to our environmental impact,” says Alia.
A MODERN TWIST ON TIMELESS CLASSICS
The collection itself speaks to the origin of the fabric, with a nature-inspired colour palette grounded in the Karoo landscape. Ranging from undyed wool in Ecru to shades of Navy, Charcoal and Sand, as well as a Chocolate Melange shade that was colour-matched to the Karoo soil found on the farm where the sheep are reared.
The pieces span the brand’s signature versatile and classic wardrobe staples of comfort knits such as quarter-zip jerseys, and crew neck sweaters for men, while womenswear includes an oversized cardigan, quarter zip and wool-ribbed sweater, as well as everyone’s go-to winter accessory, a stylish beanie.
AN ODE TO THE WOOL INDUSTRY
Expanding on the campaign, POLO South Africa presents a short film on the wool industry, demonstrating how its garments are made. The film highlights the properties of wool as a preferred fibre for the transition to a kinder, environmentally friendly future. Watch the film here.
“The wool industry in South Africa has a rich and long history that is saturated with tradition and culture, and that supports many families through the skills of its farmers and weavers. We wanted to honour and uplift this practice while creating sustainable clothing that is kind to our environment,” Alia says.
