Christmas Shop

Tuesday 16 December 2014


I've been making a bunch of stuff for markets. The markets didn't go so well, so I'm selling them in my shop instead. I used this gorgeous smooth oilskin fabric from Merchant and Mills. I've run out of money so will be spending the next week making everyone's Christmas presents.

Hope everyone's enjoying the Christmas time.

Untitled

Friday 21 November 2014


This summer we spent a few nights camping in France whilst we traveled to and from the South. We're a bit into our camping kit and it just doesn't get used enough. I had the most wonderful swim in the sea on the North coast and we stayed in a lovely farm campsite which sold their own cider and other produce. We were out of peak season so we pretty much has the place to ourselves, once we settled in and set up camp we went searching for Brocante signs and found some good stuff being sold out of old warehouses and garages.

I miss summer but that happens every year.

Tangled Wood

Saturday 15 November 2014


My new collection and website are now live and you can take a look at isabelknowles.com. Also, see the whole lookbook for Tangled Wood here. Last weekend when I was in London we did this last minute shoot with a couple of ginger babes I'm lucky to have at my disposal (my sister and friend). It was still a tad dingy so lots of looking up trying to catch the light.

The name Tangled Wood was actually the last thing to be finalised about this collection. I knew the shapes and colours were based around and trees and leaves but my mind drew a blank. After going to see the William Morris exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery (which was wicked) I stumbled across the following poem and it seemed to fit just right...

Lo, when we wade the tangled wood,
In haste and hurry to be there,
Nought seem its leaves and blossoms good,
For all that they be fashioned fair.
But looking up, at last we see
The glimmer of the open light,
From o’er the place where we would be:
Then grow the very brambles bright.
So now, amidst our day of strife,
With many a matter glad we play,
When once we see the light of life
Gleam through the tangle of to-day.

I hope you like this little collection. There's a wider range of organic cotton fabrics in it which I really enjoyed working with.

Rain Check

Thursday 6 November 2014


I planned to do my photo shoot for my Winter collection this week but the grey drizzly weather seemed to have other plans. Hopefully this weekend will provide us with some crisp Autumnal hours with enough light to not have ludicrously grainy photos.

This is a shirt from the collection. I can't wait to show you the rest!

Autumn Leaves

Thursday 30 October 2014


Am I always apologising for being two steps behind? It feels like I am and it has for most of my life. This collection wasn't really meant to happen, but I was inspired quite late in the day and I just have to go with it. Hopefully it'll be released next week, along with a new website.

Autumn this year has taken a long time to arrive. Now the clocks have changed I'm feeling dozy and dreamlike in the days with the clouds hanging low in the hills outside the window. The evenings are perfect for hibernating in my studio with the heater on and the radio telling me stories whilst I sew (or watching telly in front of the fire or going to the pub).

Lazy Oaf Winter '14 Lookbook

Tuesday 28 October 2014




I like the dreamy, sparkly but slightly eerie vibe of this Lazy Oaf Winter lookbook.

Images from here and video from here.

Barbara Hepworth

Monday 13 October 2014


Feeling inspired by Babs and her beautiful studio in Cornwall. St Ives is such a magical place to be an artist, even if it's a little touristy at times and the seagulls there are pure evil.

Picture source : Sunny photos Barbara Hepworth Museum from Seventy Tree and photos of her from here.

Better Dressmaking

Wednesday 1 October 2014


A few months back I bought this beautiful book 'Better Dressmaking' by Ruth Wyeth Spears. I'm in love with all the fonts and pictures and the tips are pretty useful too. Just look at that wiggly line on the first page. Phoorraaww.

Bridesmaids In Blue

Monday 22 September 2014


I made these lovely ladies bridesmaids dresses for a wedding back in May. This summer I've had a lots of interest in bridesmaids dresses and it's been such a pleasure chatting to brides about what they want and sourcing fabric etc. If you are looking for something special for your special day then do get in touch!

Signs

Wednesday 6 August 2014


Just a few of many interesting fonts and signs I saw in Amsterdam. Good at design those Dutch.

Many Hands

Wednesday 30 July 2014


Things have been quietly busy. The weather has been hot and I've been reluctant and bored of working on my own. My good friend came to help me out in the studio last week and it was such a relief to have helping hands. It's not even about the amount you get done but the rhythm you get into when working with someone else by your side is something I've really missed.

Many hands make light work. Not even many hands, but perhaps just an extra pair is a good place to start.

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