Brace yourselves, fam, ’cause we’re about to deep dive into 8 knitwear designers that are running things in 2023, the ultimate squad that’s turning heads and revolutionizing the fashion scene. These guys aren’t just designers; they’re artists pushing boundaries and setting trends with their fierce aesthetics and innovative craftsmanship. Let’s vibe with their journey!

AGR: Slayin’ the Knitwear Game

AGR, the brainchild of Alicia Robinson who’s seriously shaking up the knitwear scene since 2018. After mastering her craft at Yeezy, she’s now making waves with AGR, getting her goods into killer spots like Saks Fifth Avenue, Browns, Ssense, and Net-a-Porter. Even celebs like Lewis Hamilton and Nicki Minaj are showing her love. A pivotal moment for AGR was the 2020 collaboration with Nike, part of the Move to Zero campaign. The co-branded collection, featuring technicolour puffer jackets and jumpers made from upcycled materials, was showcased at London’s Niketown flagship and nearly sold out.

Nong Rak: Sustainability, Art, and Fashion in One Package

Cherry and Home Phuangfueang founded Nong Rak as vintage resale ops, the Bangkok-based knitwear brand and it has since evolved into a platform that champions sustainability, originality, and artistic expression. Their ultimate goal is to create a brand that offers unique, one-of-a-kind pieces that go beyond clothing. They envision their garments as art installations, capable of adorning a wall just as beautifully as a body. The founders are ardent proponents of sustainable fashion practices, such as using deadstock and second-hand materials and unravelling and reusing yarn when pieces don’t work out. They have also explored turning knit scraps into recycled yarn, aiming for minimum waste.

Hope Macaulay: Giant Leaps in Knitwear with Traditional Techniques

 Hope Macaulay is serving some serious looks with her hand-knitted, bold, and oversized stitch garments. This 25-year-old boss from Northern Ireland flipped her grandma’s old-school knitting methods into her own unique technique. Committed to slow fashion and sustainability, the brand uses materials like luxury merino wool and biodegradable nylon, crafting each piece on order to minimize waste. Her Colossal Knit Jacket is literal goals.

Bitchandtwosticks: Meghana Kiran’s Fresh and Fun Knitwear

Bitchandtwosticks, created by Meghana Kiran, is redefining menswear with its playful and vibrant knitwear designs. The brand is all about breaking boundaries and using locally-sourced materials, mainly from a lifelong knitting enthusiast, with mohair and recycled cotton being preferred for their tactile qualities. Plus, their colour game is on point! The brand’s expressive palette includes pop-inspired shades like digital lavender, luscious red, lazuli blue, fig green, and papaya smoothie, brought to life through machine-embroidered patches and vivid colours.

Cavia: Italian Masters of Upcycling

Cavia, the Italian brand that’s all about sustainability and creativity, is creating unique pieces from vintage items, surplus yarn, and sustainable fabrics. This brand is all about timeless, genderless designs and reducing overproduction. Established in 2020, the brand is dedicated to repurposing existing resources and crafting timeless, genderless designs that challenge traditional fashion norms. Each order is hand-assembled by local artisans, reducing overproduction. Their range includes vibrant knitwear, patchwork items, and hand-crocheted embroideries, all made from repurposed materials. Plus, their eco-friendly packaging is chef’s kiss.

Tach Clothing: Vintage Meets Modern in Sustainable Fashion

Straight outta Uruguay, Tach Clothing is blending sustainability, fair trade, and a love for vintage in their collections. Their designs balance timeless silhouettes with modern trends, creating pieces that are here to stay.  Founded by sisters with a familial fashion legacy, the brand supports local Uruguayan wool and embroidery trades, with each piece crafted by local artisans. Tach Clothing’s collections feature playful yet sophisticated designs, from popular cropped cardigans to traditional jumpers with intricate floral embroidery.

Bulan New York: Elevating Knitwear with 3D Innovation

Beam Ratchapol Ngaongam is a knitwear genius from Bangkok, Thailand, whose Bulan New York label is taking knitwear to the next level. This brand is all about luxurious, clean aesthetics and unique designs. With the meticulous placement of holes in their pieces and steering clear of frayed or loose yarns, Bulan exudes a luxurious and clean aesthetic for his garments. Bulan’s designs are characterized by asymmetry, vibrant colours, exaggerated silhouettes, and a profusion of details such as holes and wrapped pieces.

YanYan: Creativity, Sustainability, and Heritage

Hong Kong-based YanYan, founded by Phyllis Chan and Suzzie Chung, is putting a new spin on creativity, sustainability, and cultural heritage. They’re redefining the term “Made in China” by creating unique pieces from leftover yarns from a Chinese factory partnership to reduce waste. The brand offers a diverse knitwear range and unique pieces. Their debut collection repurposes materials nearing expiration, transforming classic ivory lambswool into playful dresses and comfy tracksuits.

Featured image: ©hope.macaulay (Instagram)