Woolmark’s Mumbai seminar blends tradition with modern design thinking.
Exploring the Versatility and Future of Wool
Captivating ideas, thought-provoking discussions, and a wealth of learning took center stage at the Naturally Inspiring Seminar held in Mumbai on 16th April 2025. This dynamic session brought together next-generation designers, textile engineering students, educators, and industry leaders to explore the versatility and future potential of Merino wool across multiple categories.
Designed to inspire and educate emerging talent, this global seminar series is conducted in key textile and fashion hubs including Australia, France, Germany, India, Japan, Turkey, and the United Kingdom. The Mumbai seminar welcomed 150 students and faculty members from six prestigious design and textile institutes.
A Platform for Learning and Innovation
The session featured interactive discussions on the applications of wool, along with insights into The Woolmark Company’s educational platforms such as:
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Woolmark Learning Center
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Woolmark Performance Challenge
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The Wool Lab
Students and faculty were encouraged to leverage these platforms for deeper knowledge and opportunities in the wool industry.
Industry Speaks: From Legacy to Innovation
A key highlight of the event was the powerful talks by two industry stalwarts:
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Mr. Vikram Mahaldar, Chief Business Officer at Raymond Lifestyle Ltd, shared insights into Raymond’s century-long legacy, its global leadership in worsted wool, and the brand’s future-focused approach integrating AI and digitization in retail. He emphasized Raymond’s commitment to nurturing young talent through internship opportunities and career guidance in the wool sector.
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Mr. Pravin Dhake, Co-Founder of Athlos, spoke about the application of wool in performance wear. He highlighted how Merino wool is being used in circular knit t-shirts and activewear bottoms for cycling, running, and hiking—merging comfort, sustainability, and innovation.
Participating Institutes
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NIFT
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Pearl Academy
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Istituto Marangoni
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ISDI
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Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute
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Institute of Chemical Technology
From the enduring legacy of premium suiting to innovative applications in activewear, students experienced the full spectrum of what Merino wool can offer.
Naturally Inspiring Seminar continues to spark curiosity, drive creativity, and build a future-ready textile and fashion community.
Topics Presented in 120 minutes session-
VIKRAM MAHALDAR
Vikram Mahaldar is the Chief Business Officer at Raymond Ltd, where he leads the P&L of the suiting business, the largest vertical of Raymond Lifestyle Ltd. An alumnus of VJTI Mumbai, Vikram brings over 25 years of industry experience, with a significant part of his career devoted to the worsted segment. Having spent his foundational years in sales and marketing, he developed a strong consumer-centric approach early on. For the past 10+ years, Vikram has taken on CEO and Business Head roles, overseeing all key functions across operations, manufacturing, and sales. His strategic vision and leadership have played a pivotal role in strengthening Raymond’s market leadership and driving innovation in the suiting category.
Pravin Dhake
Pravin is one of the founders of Athlos, an activewear brand that focuses on sustainable performance fabrics. At Athlos, he has introduced Merino wool, Tencel, and Recycled Nylon blend fabrics for their cycling, hiking, and yoga wear base layers.
| · Welcome and Introduction to Woolmark |
| · Information Sharing on Student Education Programs/ Platforms |
| · Application of Wool in various product categories by Jyotiranjan Parida, Technical Manager, TWC |
| · Entrepreneurship Journey with Wool Products in Activewear by guest speaker Pravin Dhake |
| · Raymond – Wool that made India Feel – by Vikram Mahaldar, CBO, Raymond Lifestyle Ltd |
| · Interaction, Open Discussion, Q&A |
