Exploring the Living Intelligence of Wool with Liz Mitchell MNZM
In this episode of Strange Intelligences, we explore the world of living fibres with Liz Mitchell, one of New Zealand’s most iconic fashion designers and a passionate advocate for wool innovation.
Liz shares her journey from bespoke tailoring in Auckland to working directly with farmers and raw fleece, sparking a deeper relationship with wool as a living, regenerative material. Her practice now spans traditional techniques, off-loom weaving, and community workshops that reconnect people to natural fibres.
With a lifelong love of textiles, Liz discusses wool’s intelligence—its health-giving properties, vital role in circular ecosystems, and untapped potential in contemporary design and sustainability.
We also explore her vision for a future textile hub where creatives, scientists, and farmers collaborate to revitalise New Zealand’s wool industry and transform waste into new possibilities.
Liz’s story is one of creativity, resilience, and the powerful intelligence woven through the fibres of our world
This discussion took place in the context of the Strange Intelligences Lab.
Interview by Dr Maggie Buxton, Director of AwhiWorld and video production and editing by Kim Newall
Liz Mitchell MNZM
Liz Mitchell is one of New Zealand’s most celebrated fashion designers, known for her decades-long career in bespoke tailoring and her deep commitment to sustainable material practices. Based in Auckland, Liz has championed the use of natural fibres, particularly wool, combining traditional craftsmanship with innovative design.
In recent years, her work has expanded beyond fashion into regenerative textile research, off-loom weaving, and community education. Through her Revolution Studio and a range of workshops, Liz is reconnecting people to the living intelligence of wool and exploring the future of New Zealand’s fibre economy. Her practice bridges the worlds of design, agriculture, and environmental sustainability, inspiring new ways to work with materials that honour both tradition and innovation.
She was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2005 for her services to the New Zealand Fashion Industry.
Learn more: https://www.lizmitchell.co.nz/about
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This interview is part of our Strange Intelligences Lab
