The 2025 Fleece to Fashion Gala has once again proven why it stands as one of Australia’s premier celebrations of wool, creativity, and sustainable design. Held at the CSIRO in Chiswick, Armidale, this year’s runway event drew designers, growers, makers, students, and fashion enthusiasts from across Australia and New Zealand – all united by a shared passion for the future of Merino wool.
One of the brightest moments of the night belonged to local textile artist and milliner Jo-Anne Barr, founder of JAMB Hats, who captured top honours in the Established Designer – Gilded Glam Category. Her breathtaking hand-felted bridal ensemble, Ethereal Heirloom, stunned audiences with its seamless construction, sculptural beauty, and celebration of slow fashion.
Crafted using only superfine Australian merino wool, silk, soap, and water, the gown and accessories were created entirely by hand, using the ancient technique of wet felting.
“Felting allows me to transform Australian wool fibre directly into form with no waste, no mass production and no stitching,” said Ms Barr. “Once I created the felted bridal top hat, everything else evolved – the dress, the pelerine, even the bouquet.”
Judge Julie Schaefer praised the meticulous detail of the work, remarking that she “went looking for the seams only to discover there were none.”
Working from her Currabubula and Walcha studios, Ms Barr continues to champion conscious fashion and textile artistry through JAMB Hats. Nundle Woollen Mill supplied the merino fibre for the winning ensemble, with Nick Bradford, owner of the Mill, saying, “It’s been a privilege to have played a small part in Jo-Anne Barr’s success… Jo-Anne’s winning design highlights the power of collaboration between Australian growers, makers, and designers.”
While JAMB Hats was a major highlight of the evening, Fleece to Fashion also celebrated a remarkable slate of winners across multiple categories, reflecting the depth of talent and the exciting future of wool design.
Major Award Winners Included:
- AWI/Woolmark Supreme Award: Skyla Wedd – Whitehouse Institute of Design, Sydney
- Established Designer Winners:
- Laurel Judd – Napier, New Zealand
- Jo-Ann Barr – Currabubula (JAMB Hats)
- Judy Bond – Coomealla
- John Klif – Whitehouse Institute of Design
- Developing Designer Awards:
- Encouragement Award: Claudia Kirton – The Armidale School
- Winner: Amalie Brown – undertaking school-based TVET at TAFE NSW Newcastle
The judges, Brenda McGahan, Jonathan Lobban, and Julie Schaefer, noted the “exceptionally difficult” task of selecting winners due to the extraordinary calibre of entries.
This year’s event continued Fleece to Fashion’s longstanding mission to champion the next generation of designers, promote sustainable practices, and celebrate the versatility of Merino wool. Supported by generous sponsors and an engaged regional community, the gala showcased how innovation and heritage can come together to shape the future of fashion.
For Jo-Anne Barr, her win signifies more than artistic achievement, it represents the strength of regional creativity and the enduring relevance of Australian wool.
“Ethereal Heirloom speaks to the essence of both heritage and legacy,” she said. “A wedding dress that transcends fast fashion to become a cherished keepsake, honouring the beauty of love, artistry, and the natural world.”
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