The Woolwind Story

Woolwind: Developed with musicians - for musicians

The Woolwind Cuff Dummy

Elastic and temperature-regulating - Functional fabrics from 37.5

Tester and Testimonial: The Bamberg Symphony Orchestra

The Woolwind Story begins in January 2018, when Christine Barth-Darkow and Mark Heising meet the management of the Bamberg Symphony Orchestra at a seminar. They exchange ideas about the similarities and differences between professional musicians and professional athletes, team leadership and the very unique dynamics of an orchestra.

On the way to lunch, during a walk along the Regnitz River, then the idea: How would it be if orchestra musicians, like professional athletes, could wear work clothes completely tailored to their needs? After all, shoes and clothing contribute significantly to new records and other top sporting performances. Why should runners, footballers, tennis players and swimmers wear the optimal jerseys and suits, while orchestral musicians play in tunics that look classic but are uncomfortable, too warm and certainly not designed for musicians?

Christine Barth-Darkow - who worked for many years in the product development department of a well-known sports goods manufacturer - can't get the idea out of her mind. Discussions, brainstorming sessions, questionnaires and several drawings and sketches followed until finally a first concept was developed and a patent was applied for.

In addition to the musicians' wishes (the tailcoat should be washable, light and elegant and at the same time guarantee full freedom of movement in the game), the team's experiences flow into the concept. Mesh inserts under the arms and on the legs as well as special functional fabrics ensure optimal heat regulation. Elastic blended fabrics give the tailcoat the elasticity that musicians need, regardless of the instrument.

The special trick and, as it were, the trademark of Woolwind is the patent-pending, button-in dummy cuff. It enables the wearer to play in a short-sleeved shirt. A layer of fabric at the elbow falls away, increasing mobility and temperature regulation. This makes the Woolwind tailcoat concept an eye-catcher and talking point even in the changing room.

The Woolwind team will then be looking for a suitable partner to manufacture the tailcoats from summer 2018. With the traditional Bamberg company Greiff, a local partner will be found from whose experience the Woolwind project can benefit. Short distances, fast development times and a shared enthusiasm for new ideas make this partnership a guarantee for success.

The issue of material is also solved together with Greiff, because the Bamberg-based company has already been working successfully with the material supplier 37.5 for its suits for years. There, too, the Woolwind idea meets with a positive response right from the start. Fabrics are compared and tested and by the end of 2018 all components are ready to produce the first prototypes.

The handover of the first tailcoats to the musicians at the beginning of 2019 is the litmus test for Woolwind. Can the concept convince the musicians in the field?
The feedback was positive throughout. Some musicians could only be convinced with difficulty to return the tailcoat and wait for the next development stage. Stylistically, there was still room for improvement, but the decisive factor for the team was that the functioning temperature regulation and the increased freedom of movement caused enthusiasm among all the musicians.

For Christine Barth-Darkow, this means: time to start up. As a registered businesswoman, she is the heart and brain of Woolwind and will have the company entered in the commercial register in July 2019. Ina Franzmann and Mark Heising join as founding investors and continue to support with know-how and advice.

Feedback from the musicians themselves is invaluable for design and product development - so not only does the experience of the orchestra musicians flow into the tailcoat concept, but also their eye for detail and knowledge of the pitfalls of everyday concert life. The result: a tailcoat by musicians for musicians.