Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1940s-1970s (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
Approximately 2000 black and white photographs
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
The International Wool Secretariat (IWS) was founded in 1937 and promoted the use and export of Australian wool, working with textile companies, designers and retailers. The International Wool Secretariat soon began special export promotions to the USA and South Africa, and during the 1940s and 1950s offices were established in several European countries, Canada and Japan. In 1964 the International Wool Secretariat began to use their Woolmark logo and continued to expand in size and profit, branching out into new areas such as knitwear, including menswear and womenswear, and carpets. In 1994 the activities of the International Wool Secretariat were merged with those of the Australian Wool Research and Promotion Organisation (AWRAP), and operated as one organisation under the control of AWRAP. In 1997 the International Wool Secretariat became the Woolmark Company, specialising in textile innovation and technical research, and the London office was closed as Woolmark moved its operations and headquarters to Melbourne, Australia.
Archival history
GB 2159 International Wool Secretariat 1940s-1970s Collection (fonds) Approximately 2000 black and white photographs London Press Office and Public Relations Department of the International Wool Secretariat
The International Wool Secretariat (IWS) was founded in 1937 and promoted the use and export of Australian wool, working with textile companies, designers and retailers. The International Wool Secretariat soon began special export promotions to the USA and South Africa, and during the 1940s and 1950s offices were established in several European countries, Canada and Japan. In 1964 the International Wool Secretariat began to use their Woolmark logo and continued to expand in size and profit, branching out into new areas such as knitwear, including menswear and womenswear, and carpets. In 1994 the activities of the International Wool Secretariat were merged with those of the Australian Wool Research and Promotion Organisation (AWRAP), and operated as one organisation under the control of AWRAP. In 1997 the International Wool Secretariat became the Woolmark Company, specialising in textile innovation and technical research, and the London office was closed as Woolmark moved its operations and headquarters to Melbourne, Australia.
The records were donated to the London College of Fashion by the Public Relations Office of the London Office of the International Wool Secretariat on the closure of the office in 1997.
Records of the London Office of the International Wool Secretariat, 1940s-1970s, comprising publicity photographs of womenswear, menswear and some childrenswear, mainly from the UK but including some from Europe and the USA.
The records are unsorted.
Access to the collection is by appointment only.
No photocopying is permitted although photographs may be taken at the discretion of the Head of Learning Resources.
English
The records are uncatalogued.
Sources: Australian Science and Technology Heritage Centre's Australian Science at Work website: http://www.austehc.unimelb.edu.au/asaw/asawhome.htm; The Woolmark Company's website: http://www.woolmark.com/twc/history.htm. Compiled by Julie Tancell as part of the RSLP AIM25 project. Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal Place and Corporate Names 1997. July 2002 Agricultural products Animal products Australia Clothing Cultural heritage Customs and traditions England Europe Fashion Industry International Wool Secretariat London Manufacturing industry North America Oceania Photographs Textile industry Textiles UK USA Visual materials Western Europe Wool
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
The records were donated to the London College of Fashion by the Public Relations Office of the London Office of the International Wool Secretariat on the closure of the office in 1997.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Records of the London Office of the International Wool Secretariat, 1940s-1970s, comprising publicity photographs of womenswear, menswear and some childrenswear, mainly from the UK but including some from Europe and the USA.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
The records are unsorted.
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Access to the collection is by appointment only.
Conditions governing reproduction
No photocopying is permitted although photographs may be taken at the discretion of the Head of Learning Resources.
Language of material
- English
Script of material
- Latin
Language and script notes
English
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
The records are uncatalogued.
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Publication note
Notes area
Note
Alternative identifier(s)
Access points
Subject access points
- Agricultural products
- Agricultural products » Animal products
- Textiles » Clothing
- Cultural heritage
- Intangible cultural heritage » Customs and traditions
- Intangible cultural heritage » Customs and traditions » Fashion
- Industry
- Industry » Manufacturing industry
- Visual materials » Photographs
- Industry » Manufacturing industry » Textile industry
- Textiles
- Visual materials
Place access points
Name access points
Genre access points
Description control area
Description identifier
Institution identifier
Rules and/or conventions used
Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal Place and Corporate Names 1997.
Status
Level of detail
Dates of creation revision deletion
Language(s)
- English