ASOS Marketplace: the LAUNCH!

ASOS finally launched their new concept, Marketplace yesterday afternoon. You can see the collection in it's entirety here - feel free to "like" any of the pieces in the collection by clicking the heart.

It wouldn't be fair if we didn't give you the final image of the countdown, so here it is, the dramatic and extremely cosy Possum cape:

ASOS Marketplace: the countdown #7

The ASOS Marketplace launch is nearly upon us! Just in time, too, as there are only a couple of shots left for our countdown.

Today we're previewing the Monkey scarf & Squirrel wrist warmer set. These will keep you warm while you stay tres chic!

ASOS Marketplace: the countdown #6

This morning I bring you image no. 7 in the ASOS Marketplace countdown... It's the Bunny shrug in Charcoal Grey, looking very chic teamed with high waisted trousers:

Another knitted lamp....

I was strolling back from an interesting meeting a couple of hours ago and spotted this lamp in my neighbour's front garden. Totally random and absolutely brilliant. That's the second knitted lamp that has come to my attention! Does anyone know of any more?! If so, please send pics my way - I reckon this could get interesting....

ASOS Marketplace: the countdown #5

Next up in our ASOS Marketplace countdown... It's been getting a lot of love this week and (not surprisingly) is rapidly becoming a bestseller!
Shot no.6, of the Beaver hat in Charcoal grey, is definitely one of my absolute favourites:

Lovely

I don't know how it's taken me a week to stumble across this (evidently my Google alerts thing isn't working hard enough) but I've just discovered this very sweet blog post about the current collection on Chuck's Miscellany. You can read it here

I particularly like the drift from Annie to Amy Hall. Why not?!

ASOS Marketplace: This is the story of Beaver hat by Amy Hall

ASOS Marketplace have done a blog post today on how the Beaver hat came about. You can read it below or click here

“I was preparing for a product shoot and knew that I needed one extra accessory to complete the collection. As it was an ‘extra’ I started playing around with baby hat patterns – but supersizing the designs, so the whole piece became almost humorous, it was so big. I added matching pom poms and bobbles to tie it in to the complete range, and the beaver hat was born. Once it was complete, the scale and grey colour way vaguely reminded me of a Viking Helmet, but the hat has become one of my best sellers. I now absolutely love it, especially as it came about in quite a serendipitous way”

ASOS Marketplace: the countdown #4

Sorry for the prolonged silence over the last few days. I've been sourcing yarn for the next collection in Shrewsbury where there is very little WiFi available. To make up for it, I bring you two shots today!

Image no.4 in the ASOS Marketplace countdown: the Fox jacket in Charcoal (and my, what a lovely bike that is, too). For image no.5, we have the small but incredibly warm Squirrel wrist warmers...

ASOS Marketplace: the countdown #3

Image no.3 in the ASOS Marketplace countdown is here! Today it's the Mink snood in Mulberry, looking very sophisticated paired with a camel coat.

ASOS Marketplace: the countdown #2

Next up in our ASOS Marketplace countdown is one of my personal favourites, the Monkey scarf, which was also featured in Grazia this week!

ASOS Marketplace: the countdown

Leading up to the launch of ASOS Marketplace I'll be previewing some of the images we shot the other week especially for the site. First up, Beaver hat in Coral (exclusive to ASOS Marketplace).

Let me know what you think!

Gracias, Grazia

In this week's Grazia there's a double page spread on ASOS Marketplace in the '10 Hot Stories' section. The lovely Monkey scarf has (of course!) been included as a must-buy item. To buy yours, click here

ASOS Marketplace launches mid-November - watch this space!

Knit a Neuron

I finally have a minute to sit down and write about my meeting a very interesting bunch of people 2 weeks ago. I went to the Wellcome Trust on Euston Road to meet a group of knitting neuroscientists (!) from UCL who have formed a collective called 'Knit a Neuron'. Rather than attempt to sum up what they're about myself, I have cheated and taken some of their blurb from their site:

"Knit a Neuron is a collaborative, knitting, art project. We want you to pick up your needles and hooks to creates hundreds of woolly brain cells. We'll sew them all together to create a fabulous brainy artwork. Once it's done, the woolly brain will go on tour to raise funds for the Head Injury Therapy Endowment Fund and will have a permanent home in the University of Bristol's brain imaging centre, CRIC (Clinical Research Imaging Centre) opening later this year.'

Despite being slightly intimidated by being surrounded on all sides by very clever scientists, the event was really fun. After all, I always enjoy knitting with an accompanying glass of wine. But the most impressive/odd (depending on your point of view) thing to happen that evening, was Adrian (the one I call my boyfriend) learning how to knit on his first try. Now I know I'm not a bad tutor, but that was pretty ridiculous. He might not be so happy about my sharing that with you all, though...

To find out more about Knit a Neuron, or to get involved, go here

Time Out!

I'm very VERY pleased to be featured in Time Out this week. I've been an avid reader for years so it's a bit of an honour.

The lovely Possum cape makes an appearance on their 'Style Agenda' page (p32). They say: "When we clapped eyes on Amy Hall's exquisite chunky knits, we wanted the temperature to plummet. Fast."

Thanks very much, Time Out!

ASOS shoot

Just had a really successful morning's shooting for ASOS Marketplace. No rain, intermittent sun and not too cold. We almost had the our little corner of the city to ourselves.

We are so good together

Hungarian fashion blog We Are So Good Together did a piece on me shortly after I launched in September but for some reason I've only just come across it! See it here

Fingers crossed...

Due to my involvement with ASOS's forthcoming online concept, Marketplace, I'm going to be shooting the A/W collection again this weekend - only this time we're going 'street style'!

My lovely friend Natasha has stepped in to perform modelling duties and we'll be heading to London's financial hub, which is eerily deserted at the weekends and consequently a perfect backdrop.

The rest of this week will be spent frantically calling back all of the samples and planning each of the looks, as well as desperately hoping for good weather. Unfortunately it's forecast to rain. Keep your fingers crossed.

Inspiration

I went to the Future Beauty exhibition at the Barbican yesterday and it sent my brain into a frenzy. The shapes and texture and unashamed use of almost architectural structure in the garments is so typical of Japanese fashion and has given me hundreds of ideas for the next collection.

It's definitely a must-see, so go and check it out.

[Image taken from Barbican website]

From Russia with love

I've just spotted some more coverage on my collection on another Russian website, called Green Mama. These guys seem to like the collection, although again I can't be sure as I don't understand Russian! Translations very welcome....

See the page here

Purls of Wisdom

I met a lovely girl this week who has just written a book called 'Purls of Wisdom' (clever, eh?!).
Her name is Jenny Lord and the book is brilliant. In it she takes you through the early stages of learning how to knit, using helpful diagrams and instructions. Once you've got to grips with that, you can move on to the many easy but gorgeous patterns to whet your apetite and really get you into the craft of knitting.

I often find that books on learning to knit are dated, difficult to follow and rarely have exciting or inspiring projects. This one blows all the others out of the water!

If you're thinking of learning to knit or need a refresher, I would definitely recommend it.

Catwalk Genius

Feeling pretty pleased with myself this morning as Catwalk Genius like my images so much they've used one for their new 'splash page'. To see it for yourselves and check out their site, go here: Catwalk Genius

They've also featured me on their blog

Not a bad start to the day!

The Russians like me, I think...

Does anyone speak Russian?! I have no idea what this means but I assume they like what I'm doing...

Weird!

OK this really is bizarre...

Woof!

I came across an article in one of the weekend supplements a couple of days ago featuring a new book by Muir & Osborne, of knitting patterns for.... wait for it..... DOGS! Any breed of lovely dog you can possibly imagine, including a Pug (which apparently requires extra special care and attention when you come to make his squishy face) - see below.

I've always wanted a Dachshund and now I can have one of my very own. Although I'll need to knit him first. Go here to find out more and see the rest of the canine collection.
[Photographs taken from Muir & Osborne website]

Huff & puff

OK, so strictly speaking it's the same as the NBC coverage, but still - The Huffington Post?! Not bad... To see it, go here

NBC madness

I was quite astonished to discover this just now. I'm not quite sure how they found out about me so fast, but I suppose it must be down to the joys of the internet. Thanks so much, Catherine Blair Pfander, for saying such lovely things about my collection.

To read the whole thing, go here

Another spot of coverage

A lovely little piece by Trend Hunter. Thank you very much!

In a Style Bubble

Just got back from a brilliant weekend in Berlin to find that respected fashion blogger Susie Lau has written a really nice piece about my first collection on her blog, stylebubble.

Check it out here

Thanks Susie!

Knitted lampshade, anyone?

My friend told me about these gorgeous pendant lampshades this morning - the 'Granny' from Casamania. They're brilliant! All cosy and perfect for a wintery holiday destination. Just goes to show there is very little that the knitted stitch cannot be used for.

[Image taken from casamania.it]

RIP Corinne Day

In the midst of the madness leading up to my best friend's wedding last week I was so sad to get a text from another friend telling me that Corinne Day had died. Late last year my boyfriend & I purchased one of the photographs that she auctioned off to raise money for her operation. It's terribly sad that it was unsuccessful, but I am honoured to have one of her images hanging on my wall.

I trained as a photographer before I decided to become a knitwear designer and Day was a huge influence to me. She was definitely in my mind when I made the choice to do a degree in the subject. She made an incredible impact on the fashion and art worlds and will be sorely missed.

[Photograph of Kate Moss by Corinne Day]

In the wars

So this week was supposed to be the week that I finally got the chance to celebrate finishing my first collection with all my friends and my team. Especially annoying as I was really looking forward to wearing my newly adjusted & very beautiful Ossie Clarke dress. Unfortunately, after having unexpectedly spent Sunday night & Monday in hospital, I didn't get to have my party. Poor me! But never mind, I can reschedule.

The ONLY good thing about being under strict instructions to rest all this week, is that I get to potter about on the computer, work on my ONLINE SHOP (coming soon!!) and making finishing touches to my long awaited website. Both of which are very, very nearly done, so thanks for being so patient.

I'm also doing a little tiny bit of work on S/S 11. But not too much!! Or I'll get into trouble...

Lookbook - whoopee!

And so it is done! To view the full lookbook, email me and I'll gladly send one over.

Covet...

Saw these gorgeous handbags in the latest Vogue that plopped through my door yesterday. They're amazing!
Every year someone proclaims 'knitwear is back' - surely knitwear is always 'in' when it's chilly outside? But I love what Prada have done with these - one of the loveliest things about knitted fabric is the gorgeous texture (especially when it's nice and chunky) and they've embraced it wholeheartedly - with LEATHER! Want!
[Images taken from prada.com]

A sneaky peek

Luxurious texture...

Another fan...

Daisy Coulam, scriptwriter for the BBC, is also a fan!

The final countdown

Finally things are beginning to fall into place. All the hard work is paying off! Only a few days left before I can unveil the website & look book and kick back with a celebratory cocktail.

Watch this space!

Coming together

Website will be ready in a week or so, look book will be completed in two weeks' time. S/S 11 already under way. Now all I need to do is organise my launch... the fun begins!

Seal of approval

If Grace Woodward of Britain's Next Top Model likes it, I must be doing something right...

Feeling inspired

I spotted these gorgeous pots by ceramicist Annette Bugansky a few days ago in SCP in Shoreditch.

I'd been discussing illustrative ideas for my look book with my graphic designer - these cups are the ceramic version of the illustrations I had in my head! I love them.

All done!

Keshia, Frances and Georgie are finally off duty and enjoy a well-earned cigarette in the sunshine.