As protein takes centre stage in shaping the way we eat, Polo South Africa makes the case for wearing protein, too.
Polo South Africa’s Autumn Winter ’26 collection celebrates merino wool, a natural protein fibre made from amino acids. The range is a small, considered collection of knitwear, made in South Africa from locally sourced merino wool.
The collection forms part of Polo South Africa’s farm-to-closet supply chain, the first of its kind in South Africa. Launched in 2022 and developed in collaboration with Gerber & Co., this annual range of knitwear – jerseys, beanies and scarves – is made from locally produced and processed wool, designed and made by women-led production teams in knitwear factories.
With each step of the process – from shearing to spinning and from design to manufacturing – taking place locally, the project exemplifies the brand’s commitment to both sustainability and the local industry.
Creative director Alia Peters describes the approach as aligned with slow fashion principles. “We don’t create massive volume,” she says. “We look to fulfil the needs of a customer who is aware of natural fibres and wants the warmth of wool for winter.”
The styles are signature Polo: classic pieces designed to last and be worn for seasons to come.
The collection returns for a fourth year
Polo South Africa’s AW26 range comprises of 100% merino wool knits. Image: Supplied
Versatility and longevity are at the core of Polo South Africa’s design philosophy. Rather than responding to seasonal trends, Alia looks to the brand’s archives to inform silhouettes, reworking familiar shapes into contemporary essentials. Chunky ribbed textures; refined, more formal jerseys; Polo’s signature quarter zip; sleeveless knits designed for layering, whether under a coat, over a T-shirt, or worn alone in transitional weather. This year’s muted, earthy palette came to Alia after her visit to the 2025 Karoo Winter Wool Festival.
“The collection is designed as everyday essentials,” says Alia. “We keep things neutral and natural, so embracing nature’s colour palette is always key.”
Why choose merino wool?
Its fine fibres make merino wool ideal for next-to-skin garments. Image: Supplied
Much of the world’s wool comes from sheep farmed for both fibre and meat, whereas South Africa’s merino industry is geared primarily towards producing high-quality wool for clothing.
“This is not ordinary wool and these are not ordinary sheep,” says Alia. Merino wool is distinguished for its fine fibre, its softness and non-itchy feel, making it well-suited to next-to-skin garments.
Around 90% of South African wool is exported to be processed elsewhere. This instantly adds to the carbon footprint of items produced with this wool outside of South Africa, and is a missed opportunity for economic growth. “It’s unfortunate that African countries are usually known as raw material exporters,” says Alia. “It’s rare to find stories where everything happens within one country.”
For Alia and Polo South Africa, traceability is as much about sustainability as it is about economics. When a supply chain is fully local, it opens up job creation opportunities, skills development and reduces carbon emissions. “This is a fantastic achievement for South Africa,” says Alia. “It’s something to really be proud of.”
Beyond its sourcing story, merino wool’s natural properties make it a practical and versatile choice for clothing. Because of its protein structure, merino regulates temperature, keeping you warm in winter and comfortable on hotter days. When wet, a material like cotton can feel heavy and saturated, while synthetics will trap moisture against the skin. Merino wool, however, can absorb up to 35% of its own weight in moisture, while still feeling dry to the touch.
It is also wrinkle-resistant and more odour resistant than synthetic fibres, so it can be washed less frequently – an added environmental benefit. And once your garment has reached the end of its life, it’s fully biodegradable, able to safely return to the soil rather than a landfill, where synthetic fabrics persist for decades or longer.
Polo South Africa’s AW26 palette takes inspiration from the hues of the Karoo. Image Supplied
What lies ahead for Polo South Africa
With the hyper-fast fashion brands Temu and Shein remaining among the most popular shopping apps in South Africa, becoming conscious about your purchases requires understanding. Polo South Africa recognises this, and takes responsibility for the role education plays in creating awareness about natural fibres and ethical production.
“We’ve realised there is an information void regarding the care of wool,” says Alia. In-store wool care cards and guidance on Instagram help customers understand how to properly care for – and extend the lifespan of – their wool garments.
Their commitment is broadening as well. In collaboration with Cape Wools SA, the Polo team is preparing to roll out its wool education boxes to schools across the country. With no immediate financial return, the initiative is a passion project reflecting the brand’s long-term investment in knowledge about natural fibres.
“We believe in wool as a fibre; it’s not just another product in our offering,” says Alia. “We’re long-term players with wool.”
Education that raises awareness about landfills forms part of this initiative, a subject that is often overlooked yet increasingly important in a growing city like Cape Town.
“There is a huge influx of new people in Cape Town,” she says. “When you look at the output of waste and the demands of the natural resources of the city, you’ve got to consider how it impacts waste and landfills.”
The project comes out of Polo Purpose, the brand’s social responsibility initiative started as a way to enact positive change in the South African fashion industry. Polo Purpose reflects a commitment to both people and planet, including tree planting, environmental clean-ups and wool education programmes.
The brand is also looking at material innovation, set to launch a GOTS-certified organic cotton collection and an organic linen range coming in for its summer 2026 collection.