Rosie Sugden’s Contemporary Knitwear is an Antidote to Throwaway Culture

Source: The National | By Eva Arrighi

Rising star Rosie Sugden creates fashion-forward knitwear accessories which are inspired by landscapes and culture.

The Scotland-based designer developed a passion for textiles at a young age as a result of growing up with a father who worked in a mill. She believes it was his passion which inspired her career-path.

Turning this enthusiasm into a practice, Sugden graduated from Northumbria University where she studied fashion design, specialising in knitwear. Only a year and a half after graduating in 2011, she founded her self-titled label, a process she describes as being very organic.

The accessory line beautifully combines Sugden’s idiosyncratic take on contemporary design with the inherent, yet natural, beauty of Scottish cashmere. This combination is highlighted and complemented through her extraordinary craftsmanship.

Her exceptional talents have not gone unnoticed as her designs regularly feature in top fashion magazines. Sugden has also created exclusive collections for Anthropologie, Liberty, Harrods and Net-a-Porter.

The label’s philosophy focuses its emphasis on the creation of long lasting products as an antidote to throwaway clothing.

The designer also uses this philosophy as a means of supporting the local manufacturing industry and therefore all cashmere is made in Scotland. Sugden’s designs are hugely influenced by her surroundings. From the rolling hills of Scotland where she is based to the striking landscapes of countries she has visited on her global travels; drawing upon cultural inspiration plays a huge part in the label’s design process.

Of her recent travels and cultural influence, Sugden says: “I went to Japan last year on a trade mission and it blew my mind.

“The culture is just so rich, both modern and historical. It was quite overwhelming not being able to read anything but I loved just wandering around.”

The label prides itself on creating products which are designed to last. Each of her pieces are made from 2ply woollen spun Scottish yarn while the fibre used is 100 per cent Chinese raw material from the upper grasslands of Alashan in Inner Mongolia. Sugden’s autumn/winter collection offers a fresh take on the label’s best-selling cashmere turban with the introduction of five new colours inspired by the ever changing Scottish landscape.

The collection also sees the exciting introduction of a new ear-warmer range as well as their ribbed mittens and sumptuous two-tone beanie in 4ply cashmere.

The label’s designs come in multiple colour-ways and they continue to produce detailed intarsia designs. This season sees the inclusion of leopard print and camouflage patterns.