Angus Rowley: the wool guru

From the unspoiled nature of Lake Wanaka, in New Zealand, Mons Royale imagines and creates technical items made in merino wool with high performance and unmistakable style. Technical clothing that nullifies the compromise between performance and aesthetics, carefully designed and wearable in the most diverse situations, from sport to everyday life. But also for grazing sheep, just like Gus Rowley does!

If one day you happen to meet him, from a first and quick glance he would certainly look like anything but a normal sheep breeder: his arms, covered with a clearly visible series of tattoos, and his style are very reminiscent of those who have lived fully the 90s punk skate/surf/snow scene. Obviously also his pick up (with which he transports his beloved sheep) has a strong personality, the windows are covered with Armada Skis and various ski resorts stickers. Gus is a longtime friend of Hamish Acland, founder of Mons Royale and his faithful companion of freeride adventures, over the years the two have created an inseparable bond but the thing that brings them closer today is not their passion for skiing but the sheep: thousands and thousands of sheep!

“I’m the first Mons Royale fan! From the first day up to now: even when I treated wool for another brand I already admired the lines of their clothes and their philosophy. Over time it became a successful brand and when Hamish decided to involve me directly as a supplier first and then to help tell the story of our wool and of the ZQ certification, I said absolutely yes. I really believe in ZQ certification! It is the highest distinguishing mark in the wool industry for animal welfare and for the responsible use of the territory: it helps to make consumers aware of the purchase of their garments and the impact they cause in nature. The purchase of a merino item from a company under the ZQ program is the smartest choice for those who want a technical and reliable but sustainable garment with zero environmental impact”.

Gus makes the breeding of merino sheep seem a beautiful, poetic but at the same time hard and demanding experience. When you hear him speak, he mixes in a whirlwind of enthusiasm anecdotes of life lived during summer grazing in the southern New Zealand Alps in medium-high mountain terrain, where the sheep graze freely in contact with nature with its winds, its temperatures sometimes rigid and sudden rains, and freeride descents, perhaps on the same terrain.

Mountain, wool and ski expert, he is proud to breed his sheep with respect and passion in an environment like this because they live almost like wild animals; they can totally express themselves as if they were 100% free, their well-being is a real priority for him! Maybe he doesn’t know it or maybe he just doesn’t give weight to it but it represents a new way of breeding: the one that connects with a clearly visible line the people that buy and use the product to the brands that realize it up to the individual breeders and their sheep!

The ZQ merino certification of Mons Royale products.

ZQ Merino is the brand that certifies ethical wool in the world. It represents a better quality of life for animals, for our planet, for us and for you. ZQ breeders believe in sustainable breeding and live for ZQ values. Each product certified by the ZQ brand is eco sustainable, ethical, traceable and is based on 5 fundamental values:

– Animal welfare. ZQ Merino sheep live free in nature, fed, hydrated, never subjected to strong stress. In addition to this, the ZQ sheep are not fed artificially, they do not come in contact with GMO food and obviously mulesing – a painful removal of a flap of skin in the perianal area to prevent parasite infestation – is not practiced by any ZQ breeder.

– Environmental sustainability. ZQ Merino wool comes only from breeders who meet the highest environmental standards. All ZQ farmers are assessed and controlled by third party trainers and auditors qualified to ensure compliance with rigorous standards.

– Quality fiber. Each fleece is hand selected by expert wool classifiers to ensure that only the finest fibers are inserted into the yarn. The ZQ process ensures that the quality of the wool is consistent in the whiteness, strength, low variation and contamination tests.

– Social responsability. ZQ Merino breeders are linked, thanks to their passion and dedication, to careful management of the territory, with particular attention to health and safety.

– Traceability. ZQ Merino wool is traceable from the farm from which it comes from to the finished garment. Farmers are connected to the brands that buy their wool and vice versa!