For the July 2024 issue, The Weekly travelled to Launceston, Tasmania, to shoot at the historic Waverley Mills, where beautiful merino wool textiles have been lovingly produced for 150 years.
For 150 years Waverley Mills has stood on the banks of Distillery Creek, where the abundant soft water of the region helps to produce the quality merino wool it is renowned for. It’s here that tweeds, shawls, flannels and serges were crafted – from spinning to weaving and finishing – and blankets became their signature product. At the height of its output the mill produced 80 per cent of the country’s blanket market, including hundreds of thousands for Australian soldiers posted overseas during WWII. In times of economic downturn the mill recycled wool offcuts from the factory floor to make blankets for those in need. In the 1960s Waverley Mills produced the first Tasmanian electric blanket and today remains the only mill of its kind still in production in Australia.
Lauren Ralph Lauren Fair Isle sweater, $339, wool-blend blazer, $599, and ankle pants, $279. Lindner socks, $42. R.M. Williams boots, $649. Waverley Mills Merino Wool Riviera Throw in Ochre, $329.
Talamaya knit, $239. Byfreer pants, $470. Lee Mathews shirt-style jacket, $999. R.M. Williams boots, $649. Waverley Mills Merino Wool Riviera Throw in Shell, $329.
Wynn Hamlyn top, $520, and pants, $495. Waverley Mills Alpaca Quartz Scarf in Ruby, $149.
Lauren Ralph Lauren turtleneck, $219. Lee Mathews dress, $899. Zara coat, $239. R.M. Williams boots, $649. Lindner socks, $42. Helen Kaminski hat, $275.
Blanket stack, top to bottom: Waverley Mills Merino Wool Riviera Throw in Ochre, $329, Riviera Throw in Shell, $329, Merino Wool Ravine Throw in Terracotta, $329, Merino Wool Herringbone Throw in Olive, $299, Wool Graze Travel Rug in Natural, Cameo Rose & Chutney, $279.
Uniqlo turtleneck, $49.90, and belt, $49.90. Waverley Mills Wool Graze Travel Rug in Natural, Cameo Rose & Chutney, $279, and Waverley Mills Recycled Wool Terrain Throw Tarkine Forest (both worn as skirt), $299.
Lee Mathews blouse, $599, cardigan, $549, and pants, $649. Waverley Mills Alpaca Rift Scarf in Barley, $149.
Uniqlo turtleneck, $49.90. Jacquard cashmere knit, $499, and merino wool skirt, $350. R.M. Williams boots, $649. Lindner socks, $42. Waverley Mills Wool Graze Travel Rug in Natural, Cameo Rose & Chutney, $279.
All prices are approximate. Shot on location at Waverley Mills and Strathroy farm.
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