At the helm of Papanui Estate in the Manawatū region, a 3,300-hectare, third-generation sheep farm, couple Sam and Sophie Hurley made the decision to expand their focus beyond just yarn.
Hard-wearing wool from the farm’s own 25,000 sheep has been worked into a range of classic accessories and luggage which has been quietly gaining attention throughout the county.
With a local, sustainable approach to production (even the trims are made from soft, locally-tanned leather) the brand’s approach resonates with those looking for enduring design that supports New Zealand business.
“Increasing the use of wool in our products directly impacts our mission to support and strengthen New Zealand’s wool industry,” explains Sam. “Every extra kilo of wool we use is another kilo purchased from a local farmer at a fair price.”
Established five years ago, the brand is marking it’s progression with a new edition of quilted pieces for winter.
Three of the brand’s bags, the Weekender carry-all, the Crossbody handbag, and the Mini Tote have been developed in a rich forest-green quilted wool sourced from the estate itself.
The bags outer is crafted from felted wool and then stuffed with even more of the same fibre, essentially doubling the wool content in every piece.
Designed entirely by Sam Hurley, this collection offers a personal and grounded creative perspective. Sam, who typically works behind the scenes on the land, took cues from the paddocks,
woolsheds, and rolling ridgelines of Papanui Estate.
Just like all of Honest Wolf’s pieces, each bag comes lined with fabric bearing a topographical map of the estate, historic names of each paddock revealing exactly where the wool involved started out.
Available in limited numbers online initially, there are plans for the quilted collection to grow, with new styles added yearly.
