Wear Wool New London is a wool-based ecological fashion and textile studio. Our Request for Proposals seeks 3 visionary designers who, with us, will reimagine fashion as a process from the ground up, starting with the relationship of soil, animal, and farmer.

WWNL designers create collections with local wools of the American Northeast, sourced from family farms and more than 30+ breeds, many you may never even have heard of.

Northeastern American breeds are typically “dual purpose,” raised for fiber and food (meat and milk), which provide two revenue streams for farmers while amplifying the carbon efficiency of grass-fed sheep.

WOOL AND THE CARBON CYCLE
Soil is the greatest terrestrial carbon sink on the planet. Surface vegetation pulls carbon out of the atmosphere, channeling it underground via root structures networked deep and broad. Grazing tears at the roots, which stimulates regrowth, increasing carbon capture and soil sequestration. Above ground, grazing sheep transform the carbon in the grasses they digest into the amino acids of wool fiber.

Clean fleeces are 50% carbon, making sheep carbon sinks on four legs, and a wearer of wool garments a carbon sink on two. Northeastern American wools are strong and medium grade. Fiber diameters range from 23 to 36 microns, which makes them durable and long-lived. Extending use phase keeps garments out of landfills and reduces wasteful consumption and toxic overproduction. Anti-microbial, wool requires less washing, thus uses less water throughout a garment’s active life span, a significant benefit on a warming planet. Bio-degradable, wool returns to the earth without burdening landfills, releasing nutrients, not toxins, into the soil. A natural fiber, wool does not shed micro-plastic fibers into the air or water.

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BRIEF

Working from a palette of farm-specific wools, you are challenged to design three garments inspired by three real life people. Your wool textile can be knitted, woven, and/or felted. From the applications we will select 5 finalists who will go on to PART 2; creating their designs. And 3 of these designers will be offered positions with our company.

GARMENT 1: COMPETITION GEAR FOR CLIMATE SCIENTIST AND DECATHLON ATHLETE LAUREN KUNTZ, PHD
As a climate scientist Lauren Kuntz knows just how damaging synthetic fabrics are on the environment. From the use of petrochemicals in their production to the microfibers they shed that end up in our oceans to their inability to breakdown thus poisoning our soil, there is nothing good about synthetic materials. Wool was once the official material for the Tour de France jerseys. It’s antimicrobial properties, natural SPF protection, and ability to regulate body temperature makers it an excellent choice for active wear. You will design a garment to be worn during practice/warm ups.

GARMENT 2 CAPE OR COAT FOR SYNTHETIC BIOLOGIST DAVID SUN KONG, PHD Since the earliest days of the COVID-19 pandemic, David Sun Kong has deeply plied both sides of his dual practice professional life, working the front lines of coronavirus diagnostics and connecting with a global community to provide reliable, credible science, guidance on best practices, and reassurance that together our global community will make it through. Musician and photographer, David is director of the MIT Media Lab’s Global Community Bio Initiative; their mission is to empower communities through biotechnology. What would a coat for David look like to you?

GARMENT 3 WILD CARD
Choose a third candidate and design for them in any setting/activity using a technique that highlights your strengths as a designer.

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HOW TO APPLY

PART ONE
Submit sketches of your designs for Lauren, David, and your Wild Card.
Your designs will be scored in three categories:

  • creativity and originality

  • functionality

  • marketability

Include technical drawings (front facing) of each look along with:

  • 3 photos of recent original finished garments from your portfolio that demonstrate your skills and experience as a fashion designer.

  • CV with education and relevant work experience.

  • Statement on your design philosophy and experience with wool or other natural fibers.

  • Mood board illustrating the concept, inspiration, and color theme of your 3-piece “collection.”

PART TWO
Finalists will be required to create the three garments. Farm-specific materials (roving, yarn, and/or woven textile) will be provided along with a stipend for prototype production. Selected designers will be offered full salaried positions with 2-year, renewable contracts and a fully equipped studio in our New London, Connecticut, facility.

Please send all submissions and questions to RFP@wearwoolnewlondon.com

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS:

ANNOUNCEMENT OF FINALISTS: