Meet UK’s Next Knitwear Protégé – Sheree Robinson

by Dan Bryans

Sheree Robinson is a Knitwear Designer and Central Saint Martins graduate with an already impressive portfolio in the making.

After graduating from Central Saint Martins in 2011, Sheree went on to develop knitted fabrics in New York for Diane Von Furstenberg and Wool and the Gang.

Once back in London Sheree then worked for luxury knitwear designers such as Craig Lawrence and Luetton Postle and eventually ended up working for the UK high street on Topshop, Miss Selfridge and Lipsy’s going out ranges.

During her time working for the high street, Sheree was alarmed by the amount of wasted fabric and the unfair labour costs that kept the industry thriving.

She decided to create her own brand that knits limited amounts of stock and uses recycled/end of line yarn to reduce waste.
This also benefits the customer as they will be the only one at the party wearing their dress!
The 28-year-old designer is inspired by all things shiny so firework formations and festival styles are a constant source of motivation.

Sheree hand makes knitted clothes using sparkly, colourful materials for women to wear during festivals or on special occasions.
Each garment is either knitted by hand or on a domestic knitting machine. All pieces are handmade in the UK and not mass produced meaning the designs are all limited editions.

The brand consists of ready to wear pieces made up of body con dresses, crop tops and skirts in going out styles which will be launching online in 2017.

The couture pieces are also handmade in the UK and will be made to order.

1. What three traits define you?
Ambitious, personable and sparkly

2. How is the fashion industry evolving?
Social media is a huge tool now with brands such as Burberry live streaming shows and the evolution of bloggers and ‘influencers’ determining trends.

There is also much more scope for individuals to find clothes that they really want to wear on the internet instead of having to go down the usual high street route and end up looking similar to others. It is a great time for individual style.

3. What are the biggest challenges in your career?
The biggest challenges at the moment are doing everything myself! Knitting, sewing, sketching, sourcing yarn and trims plus admin!!.
As I expand I would love to employ people.

4. What can we expect from you/your brand throughout the rest of 2017?
More sparkly collections and festival focussed outfits. I would also love to create knitted wedding and bridesmaid dresses in the future

5. Where does your inspiration come from?
My main inspiration comes from fireworks. No two are ever exactly the same and the beautiful sparkly formations they create in the night sky are awe inspiring to me.

They are like beacons of hope in the dark. Strong women also inspire me and the styling of my collection lead me to research belly dancers and their beautiful costumes covered in tassels and jewels.

Nature and animals are a big inspiration to me and a trip to the London aquarium started off my research into tassles from the textures of sea anemones.

6) Do you have a story you are particularly fond of, from the early years of your career? I loved that at the private view of my final year collection someone approached me and spoke about my work in detail and said they really liked it. It turned out to be Mark Fast and I had not realised!

I love and admire his knitted work and he has dressed many of the influential women I would love to in the future.