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Weardowney

 

Design duo Amy Wear and Gail Downey began the off-schedule timetable with an intimate salon show at their Marylebone boutique. For those not familiar with Weardowney, the label was founded in 2002 and specializes in contemporary handmade knits. Along with their biannual collections they have established a School of Handcraftsmanship where they share their love of knit with classes at the boutique.

 

 For Autumn/Winter 07/08 the duo presented a collection entitled ‘Honnalle’ which included plenty of flirty fitted frock shapes. Forget Grandma’s baggy jumpers, this is knit that clings and falls in all the right places. Inspired by the stories and fairy tales of C.S. Lewis and Hans Christian Anderson there’s a hint of Victoriana; frock coats, woollen lace breeches and tailored cropped jackets.

 

 Particularly stunning were the fitted mini dresses that combined a range of knitting techniques. The palette, meanwhile, included winter white, cream and fawn contrasted with darker hues of ochre and black, plus the odd splash of bright red and yellow. As Gail explained after the show their handcrafted knits are created to follow the contours of the body. A beautiful collection that successfully marries an age old tradition and injects it with a fresh contemporary edge.

 

The House of Weardowney, 9, Ashbridge Street, North Marylebone, London NW8 8DH. www.weardowney.com   

 

By JoJo Iles