If you've never thought the words "designer" and "knitwear" belonged together in a sentence, it's time to look at this fashionable twosome..jpg)
Most of us have a pretty definite picture that pops in our heads when someone says the word "sweater." For some it's that monstrosity your mother made you wear every Christmas, for others it's that oversized cable-knit thing you stole from your high school boyfriend. But do you ever think of something soft and sensuous? If that's what comes to mind for you when someone says "sweater," you must already know about Amo & Bretti.
Launched by husband and wife team Brett Perkins and Amy Krofchick back in 2004, Amo & Bretti aimed to redefine knitwear by blending chic luxury with an authenticity that glides effortlessly from the boardroom to the bedroom, from a romantic evening to a trip aboard a chartered jet. Each yard of Amo & Bretti yarn is selected for its extraordinarily soft hand, and each piece is crafted with the all the care of a third generation yarnsmith.
"I grew up surrounded by balls of yarn and knitting needles," says Amy Krofchick, Amo & Bretti's designer. "My mother and grandmother always knitted so I naturally took to knitting at a young age and it became my passion. I traveled to
One only need look at Amo & Bretti's lines to understand how intensely Krofchick feels about design. Soft but classic lines dominate their seasons, with pieces that meld seamlessly into any wardrobe. And -- of course --with such softness and touchability, it's hard not to cuddle up to someone wearing one of their designs.
"I'm inspired by femininity and by the idea of creating change, and our brand attempts to expand the boundaries of knitwear," Krofchick notes. "When designing a collection, I draw inspiration from everything from a crisp, sunny December day in
Krofchick counts their clients as being women who have an urban sensibility blended with a soft feminine side, which is why their most popular piece is "Roxy," a voluminous, blousson sweater that hugs at the waist while still allowing movement and flow in the rest of the sweater ("We carry a variation of that style over season to season because of its popularity," Krofchick says.) But if Krofchick had to choose one item for everyone to own, it would have to be "Olivia," a sweater from the fall collection that boasts the perfect blend of beauty and edge.
Amo & Bretti continue to roll out gorgeous designs for every season, focusing on creating knitwear that can maintain structure. Ask what their biggest challenge is, and Krofchick will tell you it's finding the perfect balance between commercialism, trend, and unique design -- especially when every design has sentimental value. The couple consider every design a personal extension of their passion. Even so, Krofchick has her eye on the prize.
"Right now I'm most interested in volume and length and how a knitted fabric works with those two dimensions," she says. "I love designers Rick Owens and Stella McCartney. They have both mastered the idea of volume while still enhancing a woman's body. That is what we want to do for knitwear."
It looks like they're well on their way.
Amo & Bretti designs are available in specialty boutiques across the U.S and Canada. For a store locator and a look at their lines, visit www.amoandbretti.com.
1. hi - I was glad to read this because i am such a fan of Amo and Bretti. I came across their stuff in Barneys and was really impressed at by the chic and feminine designs and how high-quality the cashmere was. I have one gray sweater which can easily be worn during the day but looks so pretty with jewelry and a handbag at night.
Anne Fiehn at 3:35PM on Feb 7th 2007