I bought knitkicks.com last night …but I can’t actually remember how much I paid as I bought it in a really tired crazed state of mind. I clearly clicked something completely wrong in the process of buying the website name, as I got a bunch of emails from the company about fraud and the account is currently suspended because of that. But anyway, I should probably give the blog a bit of a revamp when it all eventually works.

Back to knitwear….Here is the Cooperative-Designs spring summer 2010 collection. They have brought a more body-con silhouette to the table this season, as I had speculated in a previous post (http://knitkicks.wordpress.com/2009/09/01/co-operative-designs/).  Mixed in-between the draped stripes were an array of lingerie shapes and cut out leggings. The colours and patterns inspired by Bauhaus.

 Images from http://www.cooperative-designs.com // Previous posts here: http://knitkicks.wordpress.com/2009/09/01/co-operative-designs/

I have looked high and low for more pictures of Sandra Backlund’s new Spring/summer 2010 collection, but unfortunately I could only find the ones from Diane Pernets blog (http://dianepernet.typepad.com). I am pretty sure there are more pieces than the ones pictured below..guess I have to be patient and wait for them to pop up.

This is her second collection collaboration with Maglificio Miles an Italian knitwear company. Hopefully this means her collection will be hitting the stores in Spring Summer as these garments look a lot more commercial and wearable.  I’m yet to hear or see of her last collection being sold in stores, but perhaps it wasn’t made to be sold.

I’ve written a post all about Derek Lawlor before ( http://knitkicks.wordpress.com/2009/03/11/derek-lawlor-fall-2010/ ) so there’s no need to repeat myself on the history part. These are pictures of his first post-MA spring summer 2010 collection. I’ve been spotting his pieces here and there so it’s nice to see him getting some attention and hopefully we’ll see his pieces in stores next year.

He showed his collection during London Fashion Week at the Blackall Studios in Shoreditch. He has developed his loopy wax cord garments this season showcasing a range of ready to wear yet bespoke pieces which stay true his trademark style. This collection is made up of monochrome looks including new woven cord skirts and cropped tops to produce an overall futuristic look.

I’ve got to say I’m always impressed when graduates come out with collections so soon after graduating as it’s such a short space of time to come out with another collection. When I graduated all I wanted to do was go on holiday! Derek’s collection is even more amazing as those cords must take a ridiculous amount of time.

For more info go to his website: http://dereklawlor.com

If you’re in London anytime soon go and check out the Topshop window display at Oxford Circus….amazing chunky macrame! Apologies for the rubbish photos, it’s really best seen in person.

This season he has gone plastic and sparkly galore. Using red and white plastic tape to knit up voluminous and unusual garments inspired by the great British rainy summer, 3D crochet and royal court jesters.

When I went to check up on what he created for this season I stumbled upon this link: http://www.chateaudegateau.com/ which is actually his blog. So if you want to see what he’s up to and what is inspiring him pop on over there (after reading the whole of this blog first of course )

I’ve got to admit I was pleasantly surprised when I was looking through his collection online. He’s definitely come along way since his graduate collection, it’s a lot more substantial and directional. I am so glad he’s sticking to his eccentrically knitted style and I hope he never tones it down. It’s strange, I seem to love his stuff the more I see it, it’s a bit like marmite.

My favourite piece has to be this dress below, who would’ve thought plastic warning tape could look so beautiful! I would totally prance around in this. Although it might just be the photograph selling it to me and I have a feeling it would be floor length on a short person like myself. Anyways, if you have time go over to the newly revamped www.fashion156.com I’ve noticed a couple of his pieces photographed on the site and the photoshoots are always amazing on fashion 156.

To see previous posts I have written about Craig go here: http://knitkicks.wordpress.com/2009/03/05/craig-lawrence-autumn-winter-2010/

Pringle returned to London this year for the 25th anniversary of London fashion week, showing their spring summer 2010 collection. I personally think their move to show at London should be a permanent one as they are of course a British brand but perhaps it’s cheaper where they normally show their catwalk in Milan.

Tilda Swinton will be the next model to feature in their newly rejuvenated collection campaigns. previous campaigns featured Pixie Geldof and Daisy Lowe, bringing a much younger image to the label. I love that they are using Tilda, she has such a beautifully unusual look about her and of course being Scottish she is a fitting model for the Scottish brand.

I am so glad that this collection is full of chunky knits! I get a bit worried that as it’s the spring summer season i’m going to have nothing to write about! Although there was an absence of knit from a lot of the regular knitter’s I check up on.

There was a continuation of the chunky open knit cables as previously shown in the autumn winter collection and also finer striped knits layered up. The colours were all kept to a minimum with white dominating the outfits.

Read my previous posts on Pringle here:
http://knitkicks.wordpress.com/2008/11/26/pringle-of-scotland-ss09/
http://knitkicks.wordpress.com/2008/08/18/pringle/
http://knitkicks.wordpress.com/2008/08/15/pringle-of-scotland-autumnwinter-2008-9-campaign/

End of New York Fashion Week…start of London Fashion Week! Which I’m more excited about because..well…it’s London and London is THE best. But anyways, I’m in love with these striped tops from the Alexander Wang collection as shown at New York. The knits remind me of those by Nottingham Trent graduates Naomi Barber- Rodgers (http://knitkicks.wordpress.com/2009/06/25/naomi-barber-rodgers/) and Francesca Samm(http://knitkicks.wordpress.com/2009/06/15/francesca-samm/). The collection was inspired by American Heritage. Click thumbnails to zoom closer…

I thought I ought to get on to writing about fashion week collections before I get ridiculously busy and sleep deprived. Here is the first of the spring summer 2010 collections that has caught my eye….Ohne Titel.

I am so glad Ohne Titel are still featuring knit in their collections, they are just so good at it. These guys are always one of the labels I can’t wait to see catwalk pictures from.

This seasons collection was inspired by Egyptian wall paintings and featured a lot of graphical hand embroidered motifs on knit. Colours were simple…red, white, grey, black with a splash of vivid blue. Eventually fading out to pale greys and white towards the end of the collection.

I’m not sure if some of the garments are weaving patterns…can’t zoom in close enough I’m afraid. I have a feeling the one in the picture below is actually woven but I’m putting it on here anyway!

They have just been selected as finalists for the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund and I wouldn’t be surprised if they grab more awards/support this year, as they gradually get recognition.

To read my other post on Ohne Titel go here: http://knitkicks.wordpress.com/2009/01/06/ohne-titel/

These beautifully fine knits are by knitwear designer Louise Wahlgreen. She graduated from textiles at the Denmark’s Design Skole in Copenhagen back in 1999. After spending a year in Japan working as a knitwear designer for fashion house Yoshiki Hishinuma, Louise launched her own self- titled womenswear label. Shortly following that came her childrenswear label “Momo by Wahlgreen”, Momo meaning peach in Japanese.

Her knitted collections have a distinctive delicate, soft and subtle look. All of her garments are self-made by fine knit industrial knitting machines in her Copenhagen studio. The photos on this page are from her latest fifth collection, I would highly recommend you also taking a peek at her previous collection made up of delicately transparent knits.

 I love the fact that she has put pictures of of her studio on her website, I always find it interesting to see where everything is designed and made. For more information and to see her other collections go to her website: http://louisewalkgreen.dk. Her garments can be bought in her own shop in Copenhagen,  Sabine Poupinel in Denmark, Zone1 in Denmark and Suite 114 Rue du Bac in Paris

It’s funny how you randomly come accross things when you’re browsing around the net, I somehow ended up here: http://www.quocvo.nl (amazing photography work) and found the picture below. This has got to be one of the best images I have seen of Derek Lawlor’s work so far, the negative effect works really well with his garments. His complex cord dresses can now be purchased from www.couturelab.com, there’s quite an interesting interview with him there too. I really hope he’s involved in London fashion week, I would love to see what he does next.

More Reading:
http://dereklawlor.com/
http://knitkicks.wordpress.com/2009/03/11/derek-lawlor-fall-2010/