Turning a staid woollen meant for the elderly into a fashion statement for the hip and young was the Wool 2001 show, which set forth the latest looks for the coming winter season while pulling out some of the trendier designs from around the world.

The Woolmark company presented a sneak preview of the international trends in wool and woollens at the show. Woolmark is a leading player worldwide in technical development and product innovation in the wool industry, which presented a whole new repertoire of sporty and colourful knitwear, shawls, fabric and readymade garments in fine wool and wool blends recently in Delhi.

Some of the leading names in the industry took part in the show. These included Oswal Woollen Mills with the Monte Carlo and Canterbury brands, Birla VXL Ltd with their popular OCM and Digjam brands, and Ahujasons Shawlwale (P) Ltd with an exclusive range of their shawls.

So what was it that set Wool 2001 apart? The show was an outcome of the phased interface between local manufacturers and international designers, which started earlier this year at Woolmark's initiative. Based on the presentation by the experts, the manufacturers came out with their own products in the four metro cities. And, finally Wool 2001 showcased for consumers the newest woollen products in terms of designs, colours and fibre-mix that will be available this season.

The International Wool Secretariat (IWS) had its very own collection to flaunt at the show, comprising of natural stretch and sports wool garments, outfits made out of blends of wool with lycra for the style-conscious and cotton for round-the-year wear. Then there were the printed wool garments.

But the highlight was indeed the plain `Easycare Knitwear', which can be machine-washed and tumble-dried and is being introduced in India. Optim fine fabrics and products based on award-winning designs in the Student Design Competition organised by the IWS were also among the exhibits.

For those who swear by high couture, there were `Designs of Italy 2000 AD' and the Ogliaro collection, made of merino wool of the finest counts blended with exotic fibres like silk from the stables of Birla VXL, one of the licensee partners of the Woolmark company and owners of the popular OCM and Digjam brands.

All the styles came in four themes: corporate wear, leisure wear, club wear and ceremonial wear. The fabrics used were for consumers from all segments, and ranged in price from Rs 370 to Rs 2,870 per metre. Most of the fabric varieties used in the new collection are already available in the market.

From the Oswal Woollen Mills' knitwear presentation at Wool 2001, it was clear that knitwear this season is going to be young, trendy and colourful.

Both the OWM's popular Monte Carlo and Canterbury collection was displayed in three broad categories: pure wool, lambs wool and fine wool blends. The prices of the Monte Carlo brand, which has come out with some 200-odd designs in pullovers, ranges from Rs 550 to Rs 1,500. The Canterbury brand, which is more exclusive, can be yours if you shell out something between Rs 1,000 and Rs 3,500. That's because the yarn used is extra fine wool that needs to be imported.

But all through the collection, the styles are understated and discrete, but colourful. Also, there is a noticeable influence of sports. Khaki is very popular, but beige, olive and dull brown are close behind.

For the finale, you had the shawls from Ahujasons Shawlwale. The company is seeking to redefine shawls as a fashion accessory at the show. There were shawls and shawls-textured, sequined, blended and fringed. The colour palette ranged from neutrals to flaming bright hues. Though jacquards and handcrafted Kashmiri products are till kingdom come, the newer animal prints are well worth a try.

Woolmark sure has something for everyone.