This cheerful sweater with its pattern of diamonds in a diagonal checkerboard arrangement is thought to originate from Argyll in Western Scotland. However we can say for certain that Pringle of Scotland popularised the design in the 1920’s.
And it became the golfer’s favourite when the trend setter Duke of Windsor wore this pattern on his jersey and long socks whilst partaking in the sport.
The finer knits have the edge here for the classic look. But to get away from the golfing persona , Matalan’s chunky jumper gives a more youthful take on the pattern.
Matalan by PR shots
And Quality Knitwear’s Solitaire vintage jumper brings quirkiness to the pattern . Plus a diamond catch at £36
Titled 'collection 5', this knitwear label is all about pop art and punk.
There are cashmere twinsets in a splash pattern of vermillion, black, white and yellow,
.....marl grey X Ray Specs jumper with swirling lenses,
oversized vest and jacket adorned with the number 5 in stars,
an ivory and vermillion Knit Pop dot Polo shirt features a micro embroidered leopard dot
and a knitted blue and slate Pop dot sweatshirt with a giant swoosh across the chest like a Sibling super hero.
The word PUNK is emblassened on a vermillion, black, white and yellow jumper and zip front jacket.
For the very brave there are black sweaters with girlfriend from hell or puny undernourished kid slashed over in neon reflective tape.
This bold knitwear label is definitely not for the faint hearted.
Specialising in knitwear, Am Golhar gained her expertise of high quality yarns such as alpaca and cashmere from Central St. Martins where she achieved an honours degree in Textiles.
Here she decided to blend her love of creating art through textures with her passion for fashion and created her own menswear range.
When asked why she decided to design knitwear for men instead of women, Am replied:
“Everybody always asks why menswear” (ooops) “But then why do men design for women? I really love men’s knitwear, it’s so fun and exciting and I have so many ideas. It’s a challenge to always create a textured menswear fabric that does not look feminine. I’ve always fallen in to menswear throughout everything I did, if I was creating a swatch it always seemed so masculine, whether in the colours or textures.”
Knitwear is not only restricted to the tops but knitted cable joggers as well, not the usual pair of trousers a guy wears you might say, but Am is aiming for the guy who loves fashion and knitwear and does not mind being quirky.
In her spring/summer 2011 (more details later) she has designed cooler three quarter length knitted bottoms and states “No one does this so why not? I had to”.
On some of her tops the length is long: “I wanted to produce something oversized. All the vest tops are long and oversized – they are just fun and just comfy”
For her autumn/winter 2010 collection, Am took inspiration from body armour and focused on texture.
The shoulders of the tops are round and large to give a body armoured feel................
...........and the hoods and oversized knits resemble chain mail. Chunky and fine gauges are created by both hand and machine knitting, whilst the ladders and hole stitches were hand knitted.
Yarns used were alpacas/wools and cashmere giving a luxurious feel to these edgy designs.
Colours are muted in greys, browns, green, camel and taupes.
A few leather pieces – jogging pants (with a subtle diamond embossed pattern) and jackets complement the collection.
Am recently showcased her collection at Stitch, London’s dedicated trade show and for more details you can contact Am herself on info@am-golhar.com
