© Erika Paulauske/ Lamu Slenis
STILBAAR HAD A CHAT WITH DANUTE RASIMAVICIUTE, CO-FOUNDER OF SUSTAINABLE KNITWEAR LABEL THE KNOTTY ONES. WE DISCUSSED ETHICAL DESIGN, HOW TO CREATE A SUSTAINABLE AESTHETIC FOR A BRAND, AND WHAT KNITWEAR LABELS CAN ASPIRE TO.
We live in a world where trends and aesthetics are following one another. How did you define your brand's style?
Our brand's overall aesthetic is very much about what I wanted as a consumer but had trouble finding - a good, high-quality oversized knit. Many of our designs are inspired by traditional Baltic knitting techniques and patterns, with a contemporary edge - be it through oversized silhouettes, colour tones or detailing. We wanted to create something that represented our Baltic heritage, but it also felt fresh. Sort the New Baltic wave. The aesthetic really came to us naturally, almost instinctively, not something that we brainstormed in a meeting room or with our advertising agency.
Has sustainability ever impacted your creative processes regarding your choice of materials, colours or shape?
100%. For example, we made a conscious decision only to use natural yarns at the start, so you'll never find any synthetic fibres or micro-plastics in our assortment. But this also means that we have to be extra creative in our design processes. Often it would be so much easier to use a yarn with elastane to avoid any stretching, but this would also mean that the knit automatically becomes non-recyclable (even if we're talking about 1 or 2% of synthetic fibre). Instead, we have to think about how a product needs to be constructed and shaped so that problematic areas are reinforced and not stretchy. We definitely do not make it easier on ourselves, but we accept the challenge -- want to prove that you have amazing pieces without compromising on the planet earth).
We have to constantly make these compromises when it comes to everything in our designs: materials, colours, shapes etc.
Knitwear has become really trendy in everyday style, so much, so that fast fashion brands now sell "knitwear" a lot. What do you think of this?
There's a difference between a pair of fast fashion jeans that will tear apart a few washes and a pair of high-quality denim that will last you for decades. I think the same applies to knits. I always encourage people to think about the price per wear and what kind of values/ companies they support when shopping.
What are your hopes for the future of The Knotty Ones and knitwear in general?
My hope is really more transparency in the industry in general. We often forget that all clothes we are wearing right this second did not just evaporate out of thin air -- someone carefully made them. They are real people with real stories, and we should be all accountable (as well as demand our brands) to make sure they got paid fairly and worked in safe conditions.
© Erika Paulauske/ Lamu Slenis
