From Sheep to Shelf

Wool, as a natural and renewable fibre, embodies the core principles of a circular economy through its durability, biodegradability, recyclability into value-added products, extending its utility. Unlike many textiles that were produced locally, wool has been part of a global supply chain since the Middle Ages, spanning large-scale farming and cloth production across different regions. Despite its historical significance, wool now represents just 1% of total fibre production, with demand steadily decreasing due to compounded factors, including criticism over animal welfare and negative environmental assessments. This paper uses Timothy Morton’s (2013) concept of hyperobjects, alongside animal ethics and environmental sustainability, to explore wool as a material and cultural fibre embodying vast, interconnected processes across time and space, bridging agriculture, manufacturing and design. It presents the case of M.J. Bale, an Australian menswear brand, and global partners including a Tasmanian grower, Italian spinners and weavers, and Japanese tailors. In Australia, wool's rich cultural heritage is tied to the nation’s history and economy, yet the country retains little manufacturing. The paper advocates for value-shoring, a partial deglobalisation approach where supply chain partnerships are based on shared environmental, ethical, and social values.