The Woolmark Company has announced a partnership with designer Raf Simons for its 2017 Autumn/Winter collection, which will be shown in New York in February. The collection will feature high-quality Australian Merino wool jerseys, woven fabrics, and knitwear sourced from world-class fabric and yarn manufacturers such as Manifattura Sesia and Olympias Group. Merino wool is an essential material in Raf Simons' collections, and he commented, "I'm grateful to The Woolmark Company for their support in helping me find innovative ways to use Merino wool. I love Merino wool and use it frequently in my own collections. It's only natural for me to partner with The Woolmark Company to create something special using the finest wool."

Stuart McCullough, Managing Director of The Woolmark Company, said: "As the global authority on Merino wool, the world's finest natural fibre, The Woolmark Company is proud to partner with a designer who continues to bring further innovation to contemporary fashion. Through our partnership with Raf Simons, one of the industry's most creative visionaries, we can demonstrate Merino wool's outstanding versatility, going far beyond its traditional role in the suiting market. Raf Simons will bring new creativity to the world of Merino wool with his iconic work."

In addition, this partnership agreement is exclusive to Raf Simons Men's, and wool items from the collection, due to go on sale from September, will also be Woolmark certified.