Photography by Inez de Rijke, Styling byIn many ways, it’s this logical and inquiring self-taught approach to knitwear that enables Blumberg to perfectly translate other designers’ woolly ideas into functional textiles and garments – even if it means pushing herself outside her tightly-cast comfort zone. “This season I made lace for,” she explains.
Each garment, from the snood tops and ear-strapped hats to the ankle-length robes and skirts, is thoughtful and precise and functional; the whole collection is seamed together with a harmonious and pragmatic elegance. They are, quite simply, her “propositions on how to stay warm.” Blumberg debuted her collection earlier this month at an intimate presentation in north London’s Swiss Cottage Library, and shot her models splayed out on the venue’s fuzzy red carpet afterwards.“likes to keep it simple because I want things to be incredibly wearable,”
the consideration that Blumberg puts into every design is complex and intelligent. Take, for example, the snood knitted tops which are filled out with excess fabric on the neck, sleeves, and waistband to keep you “extremely warm,” but are also luxurious and reassuring in their gentle form and draping. Elsewhere, woollen skirts are pressed and pleated like fine origami and a wide-ribbed gown is sensibly continued down to the ankles – “you have your outfit, then your gown, then your coat.
Eventually Blumberg dreams of using knitwear outside of fashion, perhaps exploring its intersection with architecture. “There are people looking for a PhD candidate in knitted architecture. And every six months I email them asking if they’ve found someone yet because I’d love to chat with them,” she laughs.