October marks Wool Month, the global initiative led by the Campaign for Wool, celebrating one of the world’s most versatile and enduring natural fibres. At John Foster, we use this occasion to highlight wool’s exceptional qualities and its central role in our luxury cloth collections, which continue to inspire designers and fashion houses worldwide.
Wool: Performance, Versatility, and Sustainability
Wool is prized for its natural resilience, elasticity, and ability to maintain shape, while wool-blend fabrics offer added depth, texture, and sheen. These qualities give designers the flexibility to create cloth that are visually compelling, technically robust, and suitable for a wide range of design applications. Wool’s ability to regulate temperature, wick moisture, and resist wear makes it both practical and luxurious, underscoring its enduring appeal in high-end fabric production.
Spotlight on Key John Foster Collections
Autumn Winter 26/27 Collection:
The AW26/27 range features seasonal Oxbridge Flannels and Oxbridge Donegals, combining refined texture with distinctive patterns. These cloths offer designers durable, versatile fabrics in contemporary seasonal colours, balancing heritage craftsmanship with modern design needs.
Oxbridge Flannel:
A classic wool flannel, Oxbridge Flannel combines a refined texture with soft hand and consistent structure. Its versatility makes it ideal for contemporary design applications where precision and elegance are paramount. The fabric’s smooth finish and subtle drape allow for both structured and fluid silhouettes, giving designers freedom to explore modern interpretations while maintaining a timeless appeal.
Stonedale Flannel:
Crafted entirely from Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) certified wool, Stonedale Flannel embodies sustainable luxury. This fabric offers exceptional drape, a rich colour depth, and long-lasting performance, making it an ideal choice for designers seeking both quality and ethical production. The premium wool fibres give the cloth a refined hand and resilience, ensuring garments retain their shape and appearance over time, while the RWS certification supports responsible land and animal management practices.
Summerstrand:
A wool/mohair blend, Summerstrand delivers a unique combination of sheen, texture, and structural integrity. The addition of mohair enhances the fabric’s natural lustre and adds subtle movement, creating cloths that are as visually compelling as they are technically robust.
Savile Row:
Our signature Savile Row collection has been thoughtfully refreshed this year, featuring a thicker chalk stripe and a refined palette of earthy tones alongside contemporary greys and blues. The wider stripe gives a bolder visual statement while retaining the collection’s refined sophistication. Savile Row blends heritage weaving techniques with modern sensibilities, providing designers with cloths that feel both timeless and current, suitable for a range of applications from classic to contemporary collections.
Sustainability in Practice
Sustainability is embedded in our production process. By sourcing premium wool, including RWS-certified fibres, and responsibly managed blends, John Foster creates fabrics built to last, reducing environmental impact while supporting ethical farming practices. This ensures designers receive cloths that combine long-term performance, consistent quality, and responsible production — key considerations for contemporary fashion houses.
Celebrating Wool in Design
Wool Month is a reminder of the unique qualities and enduring appeal of wool. At John Foster, we celebrate this natural fibre for its performance, versatility, and heritage, offering designers cloths that combine technical excellence with visual sophistication. From Oxbridge and Stonedale flannels to our wool/mohair Summerstrand and the refreshed Savile Row, our collections provide the tools for fashion houses to create garments that are both contemporary and timeless.
View the full range of collections, email: [email protected]
