The Woolmark Company partners with Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli America’s Cup sailing team
This week at the Pitti Uomo trade fair in Florence saw the official launch presentation of the new partnership between The Woolmark Company and the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli sailing team - in the main outside area at the show.
The new partnership has seen the creation of a unique sports kit for the team to wear for the 36thAmerica’s Cup race in March 2021, though the first set of regattas begins with the World Series in February 2020, and the Prada Cup challenger series is in January 2021.
So often associated with winter clothing for warmth, Merino wool has in fact got superior performance qualities which make it an ideal choice for utilising in sports and active wear. The new partnership highlights the strong link between the world of sport and the world’s original performance fibre - Merino wool.
The Woolmark Company has researched, developed and supported the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli team to create wool-rich technical garments, which are naturally breathable, moisture wicking, temperature regulating and biodegradable, thus hugely sustainable, as opposed to synthetic fibres. The new kit will be worn by the entire Luna Rossa sailing team during training, sailing and offshore activities.
Prada Group head of marketing and communication, Lorenzo Bertelli, said: “The partnership between the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli team and The Woolmark Company is based on a shared philosophy, inspired by innovation and technology, as well as research into new materials and social responsibility.”
Team director, Max Sirena, added: “Our physical activity is very demanding in terms of clothing. The garments we wear must be as isothermic, elastic, breathable and as water resistant as possible. Through testing I discovered on my own skin that Merino wool is all this. It really is a performance fibre, and besides that, it is also absolutely sustainable and biodegradable. I must say that our new uniforms are a wonderful surprise that makes our body - and our spirit - feel good.”
As the world’s oldest fibre, wool is 100% natural, renewable, biodegradable and is the most reused, recycled apparel fibre on the planet. Moving away from kit made from synthetics fibres, the use of wool in the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli team uniforms offers a natural solution with reduced environmental impact. The new partnership has the strapline: ‘Merino wool tested by the best.’
The Woolmark Company managing director, Stuart McCullough, commented: “The America’s Cup has always symbolised the best of the best - from the best boats, to the best crews and now the best fibre. It’s the first time wool will take to the seas on such a large scale and it allows us - along with Australia’s 60,000 woolgrowers - to see Australian wool used in such an innovative way.”
