Prince of Wales Hosts Wool Campaign Event

London, England, July 8, 2014 -- To commemorate the fifth anniversary of the Campaign for Wool, the campaign's Patron His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales hosted a major celebration of wool at Clarence House, one of the royal residences.

The event was attended by a host of key guests representing brands and fashion designers from the Wool Collection.

The occasion was marked with talks by guests including Nicholas Coleridge CBE, Chairman of the Campaign for Wool.

Seeking to highlight two of the Campaign's most frequently made claims regarding wool's benefits: firstly, that it is a supremely safe fiber thanks to its natural fire retardant properties and that secondly, wool quickly biodegrades in soil -- a key ecological benefit, the day centred around two tests and an immersive wool fashion and interiors presentation.

“I sometimes think that too many people have forgotten – or perhaps they never even realised in the first place – that not only is wool one of the most resilient, ecological and sustainable natural fibres in the world, it is also one of the safest because it is so fireproof," said Prince Charles.

He noted that in the world of carpets, only 20% still use wool, while 80% are synthetic, the latter of which will take decades to biodegrade in landfill, if they degrade at all.

“The primary aim of the Campaign is simply to increase the demand for wool by explaining its many benefits to consumers. It is the most remarkable fiber. Because wool is a living material, it has a natural cell structure which allows it to adapt to its environment; wool absorbs moisture and releases it later to regulate humidity so, of course, this makes it a brilliant chemical-free insulating material. Most importantly, though, as you have witnessed today, wool has remarkable fire resistant and fire retardant qualities. And that, Ladies and Gentleman, is just one of the reasons why I very much hope that you can continue to support my Campaign.”