Winter Wardrobe
There's been a definite drop in temperature and while we're missing the (little bit) of summer sunshine that we had, we are also relishing the opportunity to plan our winter wardrobes.
We love Toast's AW16 range of Japan-inspired pieces, which include chunky knits, practical skirts and strong colours.
"Embracing the various: suri alpaca sweaters and silk matka skirts; foulard print dresses and slouchy Aran sweaters; silk velvet and soft wool plaid."
www.toa.st
We love Toast's AW16 range of Japan-inspired pieces, which include chunky knits, practical skirts and strong colours.
"Embracing the various: suri alpaca sweaters and silk matka skirts; foulard print dresses and slouchy Aran sweaters; silk velvet and soft wool plaid."
www.toa.st
1 comment
The above pictured soft structured coat is so perfect it deserves to be in every woman’s
wardrobe. A classic design since wartime, the rough twill weave could be a hand woven textile or a bulky Harris Tweed.
A good fur-felt rain bowler hat would complete the look.
Graham and I spent much of August driving throughout the Scottish Highlands and the Isle of Skye looking for hand woven textiles. With the exception of ‘Skye Weavers’ who use a Harris Loom to make exquisite yardage and from this, blankets, shawls and scarves, we saw only small pieces in Yarn Shops. It seems that the sheep on the hills produce a hard wool so the weavers use softer wools from the East Coast of Scotland.
We were saddened to find that the home industry for weavers cannot get the return that justifies their production. So most weavers are hobbyists who sell at Saturday Markets and Fairs. I think Selvedge knows this. This is also the case in Vancouver, Canada where I live.
You might want to feature Skye Weavers in a feature. Their small operation is unique not in part due to the mechanical ingenuity of the owners, Roger and Andrea and their mentor Bob Ryan, Master Weaver. Their story is inspiring.
Suzy Baker
with husband Graham McGarva who is a poet, visited your shop in August.