The Australian wool market was stronger again last week.
Several key factors contributed to the result, including: a lack of other markets for buyers that reduced supply options; a lower currency exchange; and consistent European activity.
Superfine Merino remains at the centre of attention.
There are orders for this type of wool from the northern Italian city of Biella and surrounding areas - and right across the Vento region - as the Italian manufacturers exhibit their latest collections and start to prepare for a post-COVID-19 market.
Industry players across the textile globe are continuing to search for an outlet for broader wools.
Heavy coating materials from a range of companies are predominantly made from wool, and the fibre's sustainability message is getting through.
But mild temperatures across Europe to date are making it difficult to actually move these items out the door.
There is quite a bit of activity in the interior textile and furnishings sector, and perhaps the most interesting of all could be the automotive industry.
When buying an electric car, it could defeat the purpose if the interior lining and seat coverings are made from petroleum-based products.
But this form of growth tends to be slow and steady, rather than exponential, compared to a fashion item - which explodes on to the stage in a major consumer market, such as China did a couple of years ago with fake fur.
Rest assured there is some serious creative energy being expended in the search for elusive crossbred wool demand.
The answer will be forthcoming.
But, realistically, it will be several incremental steps or projects, rather than that one big bang project.
Further back up the micron curve, things are looking much more productive and secure - for now.
As mentioned, the European businesses are going well and ordering greasy wool, tops and yarn to begin the production cycle for 2022-23 and beyond.
Premier Vision in Paris took place last week - in physical and digital formats.
Whilst submarines were not on show, the autumn-winter collections for some of the world's leading brands were.
According to an article by Lauren Sams in the "Life & Leisure" lift-out from the Australian Financial Review, the house of Zegna is one of the Italian brands emerging stronger and more focused from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The suits of Ermenegildo Zegna, which are so respected and eschewed by the likes of former Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating, are still there.
But the wardrobe of the 2021 "Zegna man" contains very different items, thanks to the artistic director Alessandro Sartori.
The spring-summer colours are, as always, lighter and fresher.
These include sage green, powder blue, cloud white and butter yellow.
And any growers not prepared to pick out their crutchings, or skirt fleeces properly need not apply.
They are not double-breasted suits in this side of the wardrobe, but separates that are - according to Sartori - comfortable, flexible and livable.
Men are now more comfortable wearing sportswear to the office and showing their style more generally.
They are buying better, but less.
The basics of tailoring didn't change for a long time, mainly focused on a grey suit with a blue tie.
But now we have had a cause to change, and it is one of those moments where everything changes at once.
Jersey and knitwear have become the new fabric of choice.
This has boosted demand for superfine Merino wools, not necessarily with a long staple, but those that are fine, clean and contamination-free.
This will be used to blend with other noble fibres, or stand alone.
The colours and styles of Zegna (and others) are tending towards light and airy, to celebrate leaving the COVID-19 pandemic behind.
Almost to celebrate a new beginning, the creativity of the Italian textile trade is working fast to make up for lost time.
The elephant in the room is the Chinese economy.
How consumer activity in that significant market will hold-up after expending so much energy and effort during the past 12 months in a virtual solo effort as far as the wool market was concerned is not certain.
The Golden September, Silver October retail period is almost half way through, and there are no celebrations just yet for the textile sector.
The big test will come later this week when China's National Holiday week begins on October 1.
Much analysis was given to the Evergrande saga in the past week, and what the outcome would be and how far the contagion could spread.
This has led to an earlier flight to safety and the rise of the US Dollar.
But by week's end it appeared that the Chinese government would not let it swing, but fall from grace - slowly and carefully.
The lessons learned will be painful, but are not debilitating for the small-time local investors, who are also the local consumers that the Chinese textile trade desperately hope will become very active next week in the country's shopping malls.
Of particular concern is the just-announced power consumption restrictions, which have been placed on China's industries.
No doubt seeking to "green up" the country and reduce emissions, it would seem that most factories must use 20-30 per cent less energy than they did in September.
Given that many mills in China have been operating on less than full capacity, due to labour constraints, imposing a further restriction on already reduced production levels will make life difficult, reduce throughput, constrict cash-flow and confuse an already beleaguered supply chain.
How this plays out in the auction rooms for greasy wool demand is still to be determined.
But it does raise a flag of caution for the next couple of weeks - until mills work out how to operate within the new restrictions.