Mud to Marle.
It’s exciting to finally tell the full story of this project, a collaboration between @fullcirclefibres , @countryroad , @ifm_deakin & @loomtex.au , funded by the Country Road Climate Fund.
Here Meriel Chamberlin of @fullcirclefibres & Christopher Hurren of @ifm_deakin outline how Mud to Marle has proven end-to-end textile manufacturing with low-impact production methods possible within Australia.
Together we have been able to work in a balanced, low-waste supply chain based on principles of ethics & circularity, creating beautiful textiles suitable for the fashion industry.
We’re proud to have worked closely on the dyeing & weaving of these prototype textiles here at our Geelong mill & dyehouse.
To hear the full story head over to the link in our profile.
Videography & editing: @milk.video.au@robotarmyproductions
Mud To Marle – Reshaping wool in the Australian fashion industry with @countryroad
A collaborative project between @countryroad , @fullcirclefibres , @loomtex.au & @ifm_deakin , supported by the Country Road Climate Fund.
This extensive project was created to test end-to-end textile manufacturing capabilities within Australia, focusing on low-impact production methods.
A core objective was to transform low-value Australian wool into high-value yarn & fabric for the textile & fashion industry.
Short Merino fleece fibres (locks), generally perceived as having a lower value, were blended with Australian cotton fibres to create a finer, beautiful quality yarn
IFM Deakin provided an unmatched ability to process & spin short staple fibres with industrial-scale research.
We’re proud to contribute our Australian manufacturing capabilities, dyeing & weaving these fabric prototypes at LoomTex in Geelong.
The Mud to Marle project successfully demonstrates the future potential for end-to-end, on-shore, low-impact textile production, including spinning, knitting, weaving & dyeing in Australia.
The next step is to scale these innovations & ensure consistent batch quality for commercial application.
We’re proud to be shaping a more sustainable future for Australian fashion – together 🌎
The future of Australian manufacturing is more important than ever.
In an era dominated by mass production + offshore supply chains, local textile production remains crucial for a strong + sustainable industry future.
Instyle is a joint owner of @loomtex.au , the last remaining fully integrated commercial weaving mill + dyehouse in the country, representing a rare + enduring part of Australia’s textile making capability.
For over a century, LoomTex has been part of Geelong’s rich wool + textile history, carrying a proud multigenerational legacy of craftsmanship, technical expertise + industrial knowledge.
Every textile crafted at LoomTex reflects a commitment to superior quality, enduring design + artisanal production, underpinned by investment in technological advancements + sustainable practises.
LoomTex operates within a uniquely localised, low-impact supply chain, enabling greater transparency, reduced emissions + closer working relationships.
Following Geelong’s history as a global wool centre, LoomTex continues the legacy of transforming the finest Australian wool into high-performing fabrics including LIFE Textiles, supporting local wool growers while upholding sustainable practises.
Selecting authentic Australian made textiles helps secure a resilient + sustainable future for Australia’s textile industry, preserving this remarkable capability for generations to come.
See the timeless, durable + diverse textiles made exclusively by @loomtex.au via our link in bio.
Launching tomorrow for Melbourne Design Week, RE:BORN explores reimagined beauty: transforming overlooked furniture into new forms through a collaboration between @cultivated_au and @romancewasborn
More manifesto than display, RE:BORN disrupts assumptions and provokes a shift in perspective around material value: an invitation to pause before discarding, reconsider what already exists and recognise that the most compelling design doesn’t always begin with something new.
Prioritising local craft and Australian manufacturing and supported by @instyle_au and @loomtex.au , the project embraces a closed-loop approach where considered design and zero waste exist as the same instinct expressed together.
Made possible with the support of all collaborators and partners, we’re proud to have contributed to the exhibition through design collaboration with our @instyle_au design studio and Australian made textiles form @loomtex.au
Please join us and explore this deeply inspiring exhibition.
RE:BORN
Melbourne Design Week
14-23 May 2026
Artbank Melbourne, Collingwood.
Presented and curated by @cultivated_au with @romancewasborn
Hosted by @artbankau featuring works from the Artbank collection
Exhibition Design by @studioxus
Facilitated by @cultdesignau as part of @ngvmelbourne Melbourne Design Week 2026
Supported by:
@instyle_au@loomtex.au@interiauraau@tsarcarpets@yeendstudio@wildheather_australia@defy_design@oslekcoatings
Sound Design @noah.mcshanagmunn
Visit designweek.melbourne to learn more and explore the full program.
#melbournedesignweek #ngv @ngvmelbourne
Melbourne Design Week returns 14–24 May 2026, with 400+ events across Melbourne.
As part of this year’s program, RE:BORN explores reimagined beauty: transforming overlooked furniture into new forms through a collaboration between @cultivated_au and @romancewasborn , supported by @instyle_au and @loomtex.au
More manifesto than display, RE:BORN disrupts assumptions and provokes a shift in perspective around material value: an invitation to pause before discarding, reconsider what already exists and recognise that the most compelling design doesn’t always begin with something new.
Prioritising local craft and Australian manufacturing, the project embraces a closed-loop approach where considered design and zero waste exist as the same instinct expressed together.
Made possible with the support of all collaborators and partners, we’re proud to have contributed to the exhibition through design collaboration with our @instyle_au design studio and Australian made textiles form @loomtex.au
RE:BORN
Melbourne Design Week
14-23 May 2026
Artbank Melbourne, Collingwood.
Presented and curated by @cultivated_au with @romancewasborn
Hosted by @artbankau featuring works from the Artbank collection
Exhibition Design by @studioxus
Facilitated by @cultdesignau as part of @ngvmelbourne Melbourne Design Week 2026
Supported by:
@instyle_au@loomtex.au@interiauraau@tsarcarpets@yeendstudio@wildheather_australia@defy_design@oslekcoatings
Sound Design @noah.mcshanagmunn
Visit designweek.melbourne to learn more and explore the full program.
#melbournedesignweek #ngv @ngvmelbourne
Meet our Maker - Andrew 🌟
Andrew, our Weaving Manager, leads daily weaving operations, ensuring production targets, quality & safety standards are met. He oversees loom scheduling, maintenance & team allocation to keep processes running smoothly & efficiently.
With his outstanding attitude & keen attention to detail, Andrew works closely with the dyeing & finishing, design & procurement teams to elevate fabric performance & resolve technical challenges with long-lasting improvements.
Andrew enjoys the adaptive, genuine & supportive team environment LoomTex. He is inspired by the transformational leadership & shared sense of building something truly meaningful in Australian manufacturing.
Thank you Andrew, for your valuable work & contribution to our team.
Freshly dyed yarns for Native Dialect by @instyle_au
Based in Geelong, our Australian dyehouse works with high-quality, low-impact dyestuffs that meet strict performance & sustainability standards.
Native is made from Australian wool, the natural properties of this fibre type enable us to achieve the rich purity of tone required for @instyle_au ’s earthy Australian landscape inspired palette.
The sky is the limit for locally dyed yarns with the ability to customise to any colour for our customers.
Local manufacturing means lower MOQs & faster lead times.
Videography: Stu Ross @robotarmyproductions
Warp creel process - precision is set in motion before the loom weaves.
Thousands of yarns are drawn into perfect parallel alignment to prepare for weaving, wound together onto a large cylinder called a warp beam.
The yarns are threaded carefully, guided forward under uniform tension to form the foundation of the fabric.
The purpose of this process is to ensure consistent tension, correct spacing & flawless alignment of every single yarn before weaving begins.
It’s this attention to detail that safeguards the strength, uniformity & integrity of every textile we produce.
It’s a reflection of Australian manufacturing, where advanced technology meets skilled expertise & craftsmanship.
Featuring yarns for Tonic Shaken by @instyle_au
Videography: Stu Ross @robotarmyproductions
Blue on Blue by @tammykanat 💙
Australian artistry meets Australian manufacturing.
Tammy's upcoming solo exhibition in March at @gallerysallydancuthbert will bring our Australian dyed knitting yarns into luminous focus.
Her vibrant tapestry artworks are meticulously layered in our custom dyed yarns, to create richly immersive pieces in palettes of mesmerising electric blue.
Images: via @tammykanat
Videography: @ri__ey
Australian manufacturing has never mattered more.
Exceptional craftsmanship & technical capabilities continue to thrive here in Geelong, where we weave dye & finish Australian fabrics with precision & care.
Producing locally preserves generations of knowledge & expertise, reduces environmental impact & supports Australian wool growers, jobs & regional communities.
We’re passionate about sharing & preserving the intricate beauty & remarkable capability of Australian made textiles.
By supporting each other in local manufacturing, we can help secure a strong & sustainable future for Australia’s textile industry 🌏
Shown is @instyle_au ’s Classic sustainable LIFE textile on the forklift with Andrew.
Videography: Stu Ross @robotarmyproductions
Beauty in the dyeing process.
We dye all types of fibres, yarns & fabrics right here in Geelong.
We're committed to using high quality, low impact dyestuffs with a focus on strict performance & sustainability standards.
The sky is the limit for locally dyed yarns with the ability to customise to any colour for our customers.
Being a local manufacturer means we can offer lower minimum order quantities & quick lead times, minimising transport costs.
Images via @countryroad at our dyehouse for Mud to Marle.
We're back in action this week, busy winding, weaving & dying at our Geelong mill & dyehouse.
We hope everyone had a wonderful break & can't wait to see what 2026 brings in our Australian textile industry.
We'd love to hear from you on how we can work together this year!
#australianmanufacturing #australiantextiles #australianmade #localmanufacturing #sustainabletextiles
