The event held at the Istituto Europeo di Design yesterday,  Julie-Anne Guivarra, Australia ambassador in Spain with the IED International Trends Unit manager Marisa Santamaría, the IED Fashion School manager Elena Vilabrille, Pedro del Hierro creative director Nacho Aguayo,  The Woolmark Company country manager Francesco Magri and the of ACME executive director Pepa Bueno received the three Merino Traveler project winners, Marta García, Rebeca Sarabia and Marta Díaz.

The Merino Traveller project is an initiative supported by Pedro del Hierro, The Woolmark Company, world authority of Australian Merino wool, and IED to foster the talent of young design students of the European Institute of Design (IED) and combine training, employment, design, knowledge of renewable raw materials and product quality to make remarkable collections.

Fashion students of the Istituto Europeo di Design have participated in the first edition in Spain of this initiative pushed by the three institutions, with the aim of designing and sewing a fashion piece of women in Merino wool. This fiber is 100% natural, ecological, degrades without polluting and is renewable; It also does not wrinkle and protects the skin from cold and heat.

The challenge was high and three young students have reached it, Rebeca Sarabia, who has obtained a training and internship scholarship in the Design-Women department of Pedro del Hierro; and the duo consisting of Marta Díaz and Marta García, who have traveled to Australia to meet the Technological Institute of Sydney to discover, first hand, the entire process of Merino wool. Definitely, an initiative based on training and employment within a sustainable framework to support Spanish design.

The design team of Pedro del Hierro, faithful to its spirit of recognition of the most noble natural materials, has dedicated effort and dedication in collaborating with young people, and especially, its creative director Nacho Aguayo recognized that “Our experience has been very gratifying and didactic throughout the months that the Merino Traveler contest has lasted, even when it comes to serving as a jury and choosing among the 7 participating looks. We have been able to verify the vision that the new generation of designers have of our brand and how they see Pedro del Hierro in the future. I think that this type of contest gives us an exchange of super interesting ideas, since they give us their vision of the new trends and ways of interpreting fashion, while we provide them with the experience that the years give us in this sector. A perfect team to stay updated in the market. “

Similarly, Francesco Magri Country Manager of The Woolmark Company stated that “we are very proud to participate in the project along with two of the main realities of fashion in Spain: IED and Pedro del Hierro. Fashion schools represent the future of fashion. Therefore, knowing fibers is the starting point for new generations of designers, while a fashion brand like Pedro del Hierro is an exceptional partner to send a message of quality and innovation to the market. ”

Elena Vilabrille, director of the Fashion School of the IED Madrid highlighted that “the project has connected the creativity of our fashion students with the experience of two leading companies in the textile sector, an exchange that has favored the reinterpretation of Pedro’s garments. del Hierro through the quality materials provided by The Woolmark Company, adding value to the professional development of our students “.

Pepa Bueno, executive director of ACME, made special mention of the students who participated in the project because “both winners and finalists demonstrated an extraordinary talent that made it difficult to choose the winning designs. I still remember with emotion the day that the jury met because there were spectacular projects. ”

The project arises from the union of three institutions to promote the talent of national fashion and the use of Merino wool as the highest quality raw material of sheep origin. A possible project thanks to the collaboration of the Embassy of Australia in Spain, Etihad Airways and the Association of Fashion Designers of Spain (ACME).