The 'Whitecliff' and its name sake

Whitecliff Bay is at the easternmost point on the Isle of Wight. The beach there is hugely popular in the summer months and is accessible only by two steep tracks. All the best places on the island are trickier to get to!

Random historical fact: Whitecliff Bay was one of the landing points for the French invasion of the island in 1545. There you are - don't say we don't teach you anything.

Now for the knit: our Whitecliff dress is an easy summertime staple, a relaxed, simple vest dress in a British blend of silk and wool to throw on on a cool day. 

The 'Freshwater' and its namesake

Our asymmetric dress 'Freshwater' is named after one of the more dramatic locations on the Isle of Wight: Freshwater Bay.

Every year in May a charity event called 'Walk the Wight' takes place, where thousands of people walk from the furthest point on the east of the island to the furthest on the west: Bembridge to Alum Bay. My favourite part is when you join the Tennyson trail, which runs along the 'spine' of the island, dropping down into beautiful Freshwater Bay and then leading steeply up again, onto Tennyson Down. The cliffs are stunning and on a clear day, before you come down into Freshwater, you can look from north to south and actually see the distinctive shape of the island either side of you.

Our lightweight two-tone 'Freshwater' dress is knitted using a British silk and wool blend, with the same structured 'bell' sleeve as the Appley sweater. 

Recent press coverage: Raconteur for the Times

I've returned from a trip to Hong Kong. Before I left I was interviewed by a journalist at the Times about my change of career from photographer to creator of knitwear. The article, about taking the plunge and going into manufacturing as an alternative occupation, was in Raconteur in the Times last Monday, 3rd March. You can read the entire article here.

Introducing the Autumn/Winter 2014 collection, continued

As promised yesterday, here is the rest of the Autumn/Winter 2014 collection, for your delectation.... For part one, click here.
[Photography by Alyssa Boni, make-up by Ellie Tobin, model Naomi Pelkiewicz)

Introducing the Autumn/Winter 2014 collection

If you haven't been following our Instagram feed over the last day or so, you may not have seen our new collection gradually appearing, image by image. We're going to share yesterday's images with you below. To catch the rest of them still coming through today, find us here.

This season we were inspired by strong, influential women throughout the world with a focus on the specific craft of knitting and crochet – for example: most of the pieces consist of knitted panels which have then been assembled using an assortment of different crochet stitches. The Boudicca coat also features a scarf panel which has been knitted using a yarn which was hand-spun especially for us by a local spinner in Dalston (Sheep of Steel) using Merino wool and sustainable soy bean fibre.

See part two of our big reveal here.
[Photography by Alyssa Boni, make-up by Ellie Tobin, model Naomi Pelkiewicz)

See the Autumn/Winter 2014 collection hot off the press!

Can't make it to London Fashion Week this season? Don't panic! Over the next 36 hours we will be unveiling our AW14 collection image by image on Instagram. Follow us here to be the first to catch each look as it appears....

La Muse

I've been in Switzerland over the last few days and finally had the opportunity to visit our newest stockist, La Muse in Geneva. It's a lovely store on a picturesque street in the old town. The owner, Viola (pictured below), showed me some of the beautiful pieces she stocks by other British brands such as Lara Bohinc and Nicholas Kirkwood as well as some highly covetable dresses in technical fabrics by new Swiss brand Huber Egloff.

We chatted over coffee about Viola's philosophy for her boutique and her buying strategy - she doesn't follow trends or allow herself to be distracted by bestselling pieces, but instead buys from the heart and goes for what she really loves. She understands her customer and knows that they expect exceptional quality from independent brands with a strong story behind them.

I took the opportunity to deliver Viola's SS14 order in person (including the Brighstone cardigan & Springvale t-shirt) and also gave her an exclusive preview of the new AW14 collection.