Craftwork

Who among us didn’t spend lockdown trying—usually half-heartedly—to learn a new craft? For some it was baking, for others taking up knitting… or macrame… or crochet. Whatever your time-filler of choice, there’s no denying that fashion has caught craft fever.

From upcycled patchwork leather pieces on the runway at Chloè (Gabriela Hearst showed her first show—filled with sustainably sourced, craft-inspired pieces, on the banks of the Seine in September), to quilting at Marc Jacobs, and crochet at Zimmermann, a crafty sensibility has been popping up both on and off the runway. It’s also a testament to a cultural moment where fashion designers are becoming more sustainably minded, often upcycling stock from their past collections into new and exciting iterations. When craft-inspired fashion looks this good, who could argue with the method?

Create a palette of autumn colours with fun crafty details: burnt orange looks fantastic with burgundy, especially if you pair a pleated Aje dress with Gabriela Hearst’s updated take on Chloé’s iconic ‘Edith’ bag (available at David Jones). Extra points for matching the boots… Dr.Martens never go out of style.

Oroton’s knee-skimming cotton skirt in an unforgettable patchwork print is destined to be a new season staple. Embrace the trend fully by styling it with a shrunken cardigan with crochet embellishments—it’s craft gone chic.

For the weekend, a simplified black-on-black ensemble (we love leather trousers by Bally and a fringed crop by the Scandi It-brand Ganni, available at Incu) ascends to new heights with one of Bally’s statement patchwork coats. Their matching lace-up booties only enhance the aesthetic. Now pass us that knitting needle…