Press Release:

This fall a special endangered sheep breed will take on the bright lights of London, as part of the iconic 100% Norway exhibit. Specially selected high-quality wool from the Grey Trønder sheep is to be shown to an international audience. Carina Sandsmark Øvestad, owner of the textile company VARP & VEFT (“Warp and Weft”), has been given the opportunity to show off selected textiles from her newly launched Norway Cloth collection at "100% Norway" during the London Design Festival 19^th -27^th of September this year.

 The prototypes are designed by Jon Pettersen, who has achieved a range of pure wool textiles that are delicate yet rich in texture and details, with qualities suitable for both interior and apparel. The textiles are woven in Krivi Weaving mill. Hillesvåg Woollen Mill has spun the yarn, while Selbu Spinning Mill did the special sorting of the wool from the Grey Trønder. The wool was delivered to the mill by sheep farmers who are members of Breeding Society for Grey Trønder.

The partnership is an example of processing of Norwegian wool in a 100% local value chain. The companies are part of two collaborative projects to increase knowledge and the use of Norwegian wool. One is a major research project called KRUS (“Crimp”), funded by the Norwegian Research Council. Here participating researchers and companies from around the country will pursue means of increased use and value for Norwegian wool. At the same time, Selbu Spinning Mill is working on a project with characterization of wool from certain Norwegian  sheep breeds where fiber and textile quality of the wool will be examined. The project is funded by Norwegian Genetic Resource Center and Norilia. It is a recognition of these on-going projects that Norway Cloth textiles will be on display at the prestigious festival, and it is not every day wool from an endangered Norwegian sheep breed ends up in such a posh setting.

Pictures: 

Grey Trønder is an endangered and indigenous breed who will now have a chance to show off in quite a posh setting (photo: Arild Espelien).

Norway Cloth pure wool textiles will be on show at 100% Norway during the London Design Festival in September this year (photo: VARP & VEFT)