WORKING WITH WOOL:
A BRITISH TEXTILE HERITAGE
A HALF-DAY SYMPOSIUM HOSTED BY ISTITUTO MARANGONI LONDON
Friday 23rd January, 2026
SYMPOSIUM RECORDING
To celebrate 2026 as the Year of the Pastoralist, the Working With Wool: A British Textile Heritage symposium enable delegates to hear from today’s experts about the real world opportunities and challenges faced in working sustainably with British wool, and the radical transparency this heritage fibre offers to contemporary designers, product developers, and to healthier value chains.
The UK is home to over 70 different breeds of sheep – more than anywhere else in the world - and wool is deeply entwined in our national culture. Each type of fleece has unique characteristics and technical properties, lends itself to different uses, and offers important creative possibilities as a truly regenerative, versatile fibre that is fully compostable (when used in natural shades or naturally-dyed). Local wool suits today’s growing emphasis on material provenance and makes a vital contribution to bioregional resourcefulness and resilience.
The symposium supports a new project for MA Fashion Design students, BA FD3 students working with wool in their collections, and other students studying textiles and materials, but held relevance for any students and tutors on our any of our creative programmes, and to those studying or teaching luxury brand management, product development and supply chain management.
The event was hosted by Istituto Marangoni London.
PANELLISTS
Justine Lee, Nicci James, Louisa Knapp and Harriet Fletcher-Gilhuys
Our wonderful panellists, who were warm, friendly and generous in sharing their knowledge and expertise with the 130 students and other delegates that attended this symposium.
Justine Lee’s ‘Fibre to Yarn workshop’ with MA and BA Fashion Design students.
A very enthusiastic group of students really engaged well in this practial session - numbers were limited but we had some gatecrashers, such was the demand. Justine generously shared her incredible knowledge and experience with different types of fleece. At Istituto Marangoni London, we believe that the ability to understand the potential of sustainable materials, to work creatively with them, is crucial to a better fashion future.
SYMPOSIUM SCHEDULE:
Working with Wool Expert Panel: 14.00 – 15.30
Panellists: Nicci James (UNUSUWUL and South-East England Fibreshed), Harriet Fletcher-Gilhuys (The Great British Wool Revival), Louisa Knapp (British Wool), Justine Lee (Ossian Knitwear)
Moderator: Dr Kirsten Scott
Coffee break: 15.30- 15.50
Radically Local Project Presentation: 15.50 – 16.15
Research to date from IML’s Radically Local project, that explores local wool, colour and aesthetic vernaculars.
Dr Kirsten Scott and Emma D’Arcey
Fibre to Yarn Workshop: 16.15 – 17.45 (bookable on day, limited places)
Fibre to Yarn – Justine Lee
Book talk and signing: 18.00 – 18.30
Justine Lee, speaking about her book The Wonder of Wool
Exhibits in Open Space
Fleece varieties, spinning equipment, yarns, knitting