An intriguing crop of young knitwear designers — and one household name worth revisiting — put a stylish new spin on your fall mainstays. With New York still decidedly balmy and designers currently preparing to present their spring/summer 2019 collections, it’s hard to fathom that fall’s only a few weeks away. Such is the conundrum that is the fashion calendar. And while we’re reluctant to turn our thoughts to chillier temps just yet, the good news is there’s a slew of labels shaking up the knitwear game — from small batch hand crocheted dresses to cloudlike, heirloom-worthy cardigans — to help see you through. But act fast as sellouts and wait lists with these smaller, independent labels aren’t unheard of—dare we say sweaters are the new It bags?
Hesperios
You know those knits, the ever elusive, finely ribbed separates that dominated a particular stretch of the ‘90s. The ones that look so simple and unfussy (see Gwyneth Palthrow’s iconic green jersey skirt and cardigan in 1998’s Great Expectations) yet secretly cost the earth. It’s the search for just that look that has many an editor flocking to Autumn Hruby’s shop.
Good Omen
If you’ve wondered about the talent behind the abstract patterned knits you’ve likely seen on Instagram, the eyecatching ones that resemble striations in the earth, then let us introduce you to Parsons grad and all around knitwear whiz Elizabeth Dran. While Dran may scour the globe in search of cutting edge yards and knitwear technology, working to minimize impact on the environment by avoiding the use of harsh chemicals, her production process is closer to home: all Good Omen knits are made in the USA.
Alanui
The chunky belted cardigans with the self fringe, frequently with a southwestern flair that you’ve spotted on your favorite influencers but assumed to be vintage are in fact the handiwork of Italian siblings Nicolo and Carlotta Oddi. Nearly 1000 grams of Cariaggi cashmere and 11 hours of work go into each sweater and as a result, the more complicated patterns can clock in at around $6k but the Oddis see their work as something to be handed down through generations.
She Made Me
When it finally comes time for a warm weather getaway this season, you can still feel in season so to speak with this Aussie label’s crochet swimwear. It’s a bit Bond girl, a bit hippie but thoroughly unexpected. And rest assured, unlike their vintage forebears, these suits feature very modern yarns that will hold their shape as you take the plunge.
525 America
You may think you know 525 America, a knitwear mainstay in many of America’s biggest department stores for the last 35 years. Sure, they’re a solid go-to for wardrobe staples and few brands can equal their knit know-how, but for fall we’re loving the label’s patchwork ribbed dresses that have an unexpected artsy flair and pair perfectly with the season’s must-have tall boots.
Ply Knits
Designer Carolyn Yim hails from a bit of a knitwear dynasty. Her grandmother, Madam Lee, hand knit couture garments for John Galliano at Christian Dior where she was the talent behind the now iconic bias-cut pointelle knit gown Cate Blanchett wore to the 1999 Oscars. Carolyn herself favors a deceptively minimalist simplicity, looking to the family archives to inspire her sleek but timeless and perfectly proportioned separates spun in the finest of wools. And the best bit? A far from couture-level price tag.
Tatiana Baibabaeva
We were as stunned as anyone when the macrame trend slowly began creeping back into the homegoods sector. However, we were nearly floored when we saw what Kyrghyzstan born Tatiana Baibabaeva is doing with the technique. Having honed her skills at an early age making clothes for her dolls with her grandmother, Baibabaeva’s painstakingly intricate designs have caught the eye and garnered the praise of Carolina Herrera and Anthony Vacarello.
