SHAW Renames Synthetic Collection

The International Wool Textile Organization (IWTO) claimed victory today over Shaw Inc. (USA) and its misuse of the term 'wool' to promote a new synthetic carpet. Shaw named and promoted its 100 percent synthetic nylon carpet collection using the term 'wool.'

As a result of the action taken by IWTO, Shaw announced in a press release the immediate withdrawal of the expression 'wool' for its collection.

Shaw says, "The collection is inspired by the look and feel of natural, hand-spun wool but is constructed of nylon. In order to avoid confusion in the marketplace, Shaw Contract Group is renaming the collection 'Couture, inspired by wool.' The name change conveys the fact that the product draws inspiration from the wool fiber but is, in fact, a synthetic nylon product."

Karl Spilhaus of the National Textile Association worked with IWTO to affect this result.