Join Prudence Black who will be in conversation with co-authors Trish Fitzsimons and Madelyn Shaw of Fleeced: Unraveling the History of Wool and War, for a discussion about this ground-breaking publication’s exploration of the demand for wool in wartime. The authors also investigate the diplomatic, economic and technological changes wrought in the textile industries by wartime scarcities of wool and how this contributed to our current environmental crisis of fast fashion and microplastic pollution.

Books available for purchase from FABRIK gallery shop during the event.

About the authors:

Trish Fitzsimons is adjunct professor at the Griffith Film School, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia. She is a documentary filmmaker and exhibition curator with a passion for social and cultural history. Her intellectual and creative interests had not included textile history prior to this shared research project with Madelyn. Letters written by her grandfather 1904 -07 to her great grandparents in Melbourne and associated documents were one impetus to this book. Interview has been a defining component of her practice for the last 40 years, in documentary films, a book and articles, and exhibitions.

Madelyn Shaw is a curator and author specialising in the exploration of American culture and history and its international connections through textile and dress. She has held curatorial and administrative positions at the National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution, Rhode Island School of Design. She has curated more than 50 exhibitions and published widely on topics related to the development of the American textile and fashion industries, the China Trade, Slave Cloth, and Aviation clothing and popular culture.

Information source - cch.deakin.edu.au/news/2025

About Prudence Black:

Prudence Black is a Research Associate in the Department of Gender and Cultural Studies at the University of Sydney and the School of Humanities, University of Adelaide. Her main research interests include fashion and design history, aviation and workplace cultures. As well as her academic roles, she has worked at the Powerhouse Museum and the Australian Museum undertaking curatorial work and research for exhibitions about fashion, design and Indigenous culture. She has a deep interest in the Australian wool industry and was co-producer with Catherine Freyne for the ABC radio program Bleat! How Australia Fell Off the Sheep’s Back.

Fleeced: Unraveling the History of Wool and War publishers - Rowman & Littlefield/Bloomsbury 2025

What you need to know

Suitable for audience members 18 years and older.
If your circumstances change and you can no longer attend this workshop, please email niki.vouis@ahc.sa.gov.au before 5pm, Wednesday 6 August 2025. After this time and date we cannot issue refunds.
Wine and nibbles provided.

Inclusion in the Fabrik mailing list

By registering for a Fabrik workshop or event your name and email address will be added to our contact list. This means from time to time you will receive Fabrik program updates by email. If you wish to opt out, please email the Public Programs Officer (nvouis@ahc.sa.gov.au) directly with Contact List Opt-Out in the subject heading and your full name in the message.

This event is presented in association with Winter Words, an Adelaide Hills Council literary event held during the winter months.

Contact the host of Fleeced - a Winter Words in conversation event

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