Cashmere-rich parade

Press, 15 May 1987, Page 19

Cashmere-rich parade

A fashion show featuring some of the world’s best cashmere garments will open the Second International Cashmere Conference, which starts at Lincoln College on Monday. Among the garments on display will be classically styled cashmere knitwear from Scotland, some items of which are worth over $lOOO, and fashionable cashmere items from two American manufacturers.

A distinctive range of northern Italian cashgora knitwear, specially manufactured for the conference, will also be on show. Six other garments, worth $9OOO, were pilfered during transport from Scotland to New Zealand. . The few New Zealand manufacturers and fashion houses using cashmere in their designs will also have their chance to show their wares during the evening. Several coats, knitwear

items and fashion accessories will be displayed along with the extensive range of imported items. Choreographing the show is former Royal New Zealand Ballet dancer Moana Nepia. The show, organised by Christchurch’s Spotlite Model Agency on behalf of conference lead sponsor Agricola Resources Limited, has been put together to demonstrate to producers the. high quality of textile demanded by the international market.

It will be compered by Christchurch radio personality Ken Ellis and former Miss Universe New Zealand Christine Atkinson.

Producing for a marketled industry is the theme of the four-day conference.

Strong world-wide demand for high quality cashmere requires New Zealand producers to keep up with fashion trends and changes, ac-

cording to a conference organiser, Mr Alastair Frizzell. New Zealand cashmere accounts for about 40 tonnes of the 5000 to 6000 tonnes produced worldwide each year.

The demand for New Zealand fibre is high because of its 50 to 60mm length. Normal fibre is 40 to 50mm, Mr Frizzell said.

“Recent trials carried out in Scotland have shown the longer New Zealand fibre is suited to a worsted process which gives a smoother, sleeker yarn for quality high fashion garments.” Fashion changes to brighter coloured woollen garments temporarily decreased demand for cashmere, but this winter classic colours are again popular with designers, he said.

About 350 people are expected to attend the conference, including up to 70 overseas guests. Cashmere industry ex-

perts from Australia, Iran, China and India will have an input into the conference business which will include sessions on cashmere production, marketing, investment, breeding and genetics. Visiting speakers will include: • Jim Browne, president of the Australian Cashmere Growers’ Association. _ • Hugh Hopkins, general manager (Australasia) of the Forte Cashmere Company. • Bob Couchman, senior policy analyst with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Victoria, Australia. • Mr T. Ross, managing director of Animal Fibres (Bradford), Ltd, who has 35 years experience with speciality fibres, such as mohair, alpaca and angora rabbit.

•Dr E. A. Scheurmann, of the University of Melbourne’s School of Agriculture and Forestry.