Wool, which once enriched all of the UK, was only used as a building insulation because it was not sold out recently. Most were pessimistic that British wool was eventually destined to be incinerated.
However, the British daily The Times reported on the 14th that British wool has recently undergone a renaissance thanks to the popularity of Netflix dramas about the British royal family.
At a recent auction in Bradford, England, wool reached its highest average price in about a decade. According to British Wool, a British wool industry organization, the price of British wool rose more than 25 percent in two months, trading at around 1.21 pounds per kilogram.
Wool prices, which were 17.50 pounds per kilogram in the mid-20th century, fell to 73 pence in 2022, mainly used as carpets or insulation.
However, the British wool industry was revived by introducing clothes made of wool that the British royal family actually wore in Netflix’s popular drama “The Crown.”
The Crown has significantly boosted demand for classic British outdoor clothing represented by Burberry and Harris Tweed.
King Charles III of England also stressed that wool is the best product with anti-allergic, breathable, recyclable, and biodegradable, saying, “Even if scientists are gathered at once, we will not be able to produce better products than wool.”
Mark Hogarth of Harris Tweed, a high-end Scottish textile manufacturer, explained, “British country looks are trending under the influence of the royal family, aristocrats, and several TV shows.”
The popularity of wool has also been affected by consumer trends. Consumers today, who value eco-friendly products more, think negatively that plastic-based fibers such as polyester cause problems in environmental footprints and emission of microplastics. On the other hand, wool is biodegradable and sustainable in nature, attracting a generation that prefers “nature-friendly” labels and low carbon footprints, The Times said.
JULIE KIM
US ASIA JOURNAL
