Ecopossum™ is an exclusive blend of fine merino wool and luxurious Brushtail possum fibre. The combination of Merino and Brushtail possum fibre creates featherweight softness and outstanding wearing qualities. Ecopossum™ yarn is unique in that it feels cashmere soft and is incredibly warm, yet it will not pill (rub). This is due to the structure of the Brushtail possum fibre. Brushtail possum fibre is rare in having a hollow structure and no scales. Air is trapped both within the fibre and in the fabric when blended with high crimp, fine Merino. This creates a soft, lightweight and very warm garment that has very high performance and durability characteristics. Ecopossum™ garments also wash extremely well.

 

Ecopossum™ was first developed by Snowy Peak Ltd (the parent company of Untouched World™) in 1992. All garments made from Ecopossum™ carry an assurance of quality from forest to finished garment, and a guarantee of essential fibre selection and processing controls.

 

The Brushtail possum is an animal introduced to New Zealand in 1837 from Australia; it is only found in Australasia, and is not to be confused with the North American Opossum, which is a different animal. The possum is New Zealand’s biggest ecological threat. Possums occupy 95% of New Zealand, with an estimated population of 60 million. They are legally classified as pests. In their native Australian environment, possums do not pose a threat, but in New Zealand, they have no natural predators.

 

Much of the control of possums has been through broadcast toxic chemicals, which New Zealand wants to reduce or eliminate. By utilising Brushtail possum fur, Untouched World™ is contributing to a reduction in the use of broadcast poisons; and to the effort to protect our native forest and birds.

 

“I love, love, my sweater jacket. I wear it to the set of Desperate Housewives all the time!”

– Felicity Huffman, Actress