GB 2159 International Wool Secretariat - International Wool Secretariat

Identity area

Reference code

GB 2159 International Wool Secretariat

Title

International Wool Secretariat

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

Related descriptions

Publication note

Notes area

Note

Alternative identifier(s)

Access points

Place access points

Name access points

Genre access points

Description control area

Description identifier

Institution identifier

University of the Arts London: London College of Fashion

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

Script(s)

    Sources

    Accession area