Just as I was about to give up on Pre-Fall 2016 as being devoid of anything truly jaw-dropping, I found myself paging through the Joseph collection, involuntarily muttering “omigod” under my breath with every click. Truly, for me, it’s beyond words. I love the shapes and the tones and the Sinead O’Connor-ish model. I love the impossibly beautiful coat in look 1 , the sporty looks with the silk blouses, the scale of the pockets on everything, the easy layering, and those utterly perfect boots. This makes me want to wear red on red, and I hate red. And of course I love the knits, including the ones pictured above, but really you should go click through the entire collection. At least once.
These are two of the best outfits I’ve ever seen my life:
Wow. Love the oatmeal ribbed sweater paired with the retro Prairie skirt (it would be interesting to shorten the skirt a bit). Have long loved the sweater-skirt thing. Vogue Knitting magazine always has wonderful examples of a sweater paired with skirts — formal, casual and everything in between. Love your posts.
Not my aesthetic. Not my body type. Got curves. Too short and too old for the malnourished look.
Take issue with the substance and content all you like, but I don’t approve of disparaging other human beings for their appearance. Please refrain from posting this kind of comment here in the future.
Indeed, this collection is jaw-dropping as it reminds me of the photos of the liberation of Auschwitz camps (shaven head, emaciated face, large striped button-up shirt, oversized black boots). But maybe it is because I’m reading Simone Veil right now and this prevents me from seeing the beauty of this collection.
I don’t even know how to respond to that, but you might like to know the collection was inspired in part by Pony Kids, a photo series about working-class Dublin kids.
Karen, I don’t think your followers are being rude here – they just express what they feel about these fashion pictures. We’re talking about a collection and a deliberate styling. I for one did not want to hurt your feelings. If I did, please accept my apologies.
Oh, you didn’t hurt my feelings. Your comment was substantive and contextualized and I found it odd, shocking and interesting — it stopped me in my tracks and made me think. Unlike the thoughtless insults that seem to be unavoidable following every picture of a thin model.
Helene, I was having the exact same thoughts. With last year’s 70th anniversary of the liberation oc camps and also the end of war, these photos reminded me also of the March of the Dead in the last days of war. On a wider note, we’ve been discussing lately among friends that this seems to be a generational thing, that for example these graphic triggers are completely empty or indifferent for younger generation designers. But, to take up Karen’s hint about the Dublin street kids, too: I do think that fashion mocking, depicting, quoting or emulating poverty is a level of cynicism that I do not want to accept.
Wow. I can see what you’re loving here – the SHAPES! The LINES! Making my little designery brain fizz. Thanks for pointing this out!
Some of the clothes are really nice if you can overlook the emaciated person.
Take issue with the substance and content all you like, but I don’t approve of disparaging other human beings for their appearance. Please refrain from posting this kind of comment here in the future.
My clothes are so baggy now so I am trying for more fit. But I like the ribbed raglan with longer rolled back cuffs. My thought is to knit a button hole at the top or even a custom knitted tab in a different color.
I want to knit the sweater in Look 20 and I also think Look 10 is very wearable, especially the skirt length and drape.
War refugee chic? Someone give the child a sandwich!
Take issue with the substance and content all you like, but I don’t approve of disparaging other human beings for their appearance. Please refrain from posting this kind of comment here in the future.
I have to say – love it! I want the pants in the first image, think the grey dress is a winner (and probably copy-able), and the leather skirt with the ribbed sweater with tall cuffs and short boots is great. The attitude and proportions bring me back to my punk rock days. And I’m a curvy gal as well. It’s less about being a stick figure and more about attitude for me.
please don’t HATE red.
I think I overdosed on it in the ’80s — haven’t been able to wear it for ages.
Isn’t it great to find something out in the wider world that resonates with what you have in your head and/or closet/on your wish list?
I really like this collection too, the colours and shapes are great. I love these runway posts, Karen!
Also, sorry, but I feel the need to say something – I’m not very impressed by the commenters insulting the model’s body type. Some people are thin, some people are not, and there’s no need be criticizing anyone for their body shape, model or not.
It troubles me more than I can say.
The comments refer to a “look” not a body type. This model has been styled to look emaciated with oversized clothing and pale makeup and shorn hair. (Which does mimic those amongst us who have no choice in this look of underfed poverty) Her look is an intended product and not a result of her body type. I take issue with her style and I hank it is naive and disingenuous to say we are mocking her body type.
Agreed! The stylist chose the look. The model is lovely.
Karen, if this were an isolated incident, you might have a case. But the fact is every time I post fashion pics — regardless of hair, makeup, clothes proportions — it is followed by a series of “eat a sandwich”-style comments. The internet is full of it, and it’s simply not welcome here.
I noticed that you responded to the negative comments saying so – much appreciated!
Agree, some really beautiful stuff here. That camel and white striped shirt, the two shades of (Buddhist) red together (even if you don’t wear red, how can you hate it?!), and that oatmeal pullover, which is reminding me of my Docklight that is currently blocking. And in the link, there is a gorgeous pale gray quilted jacket that could easily be had with a few tweaks to a Tamarack. Love, love to wake up to your “Best of…” posts. Thanks, as always, for the inspiration!
P.S. That full skirt! The panel is a lovely way to keep the fullness at the waist in check….
I love all the different skirt and dress shapes in this collection — so much goodness.
As others have said, once I get past the drive of designers to show their wares on such “slender” models, this collection is so dang arty it makes me nuts! I long to see these clothes on a variety of women (ages/shapes.) Maybe you’d need to be tall for most of the designs. Maybe not. I love deep red and its a tough one to find. They nailed it here.
Thank your for addressing the body shaming, Karen! I was horrified as I read the comments. Body shaming goes both ways. I personally think she looks healthy. There are all different kinds of body types in the world, including long and lean. And even if she DOES actually need a hamburger, hateful aggressive comments are NOT THE WAY TO HELP. Anyways, off my soapbox now. ;) The entire collection didn’t do much for me, but I am obsessed with that camel skirt!! Is that some sort of suede? I also loved the red pants done in the same type material.
Love the simplicity and beauty of those raglan sweaters in Look #7 and #20. I’m so inspired to knit them. Thanks for sharing this post Karen!
I could wear the plaid coat-dress everyday – except for garden and field days. I agree with the anti-disparagement comment, but I can’t help but to think about that dark trouble in fashion when I see someone so slender. Is she naturally, healthfully and happily slender? I hope so. And I love her un-hair.
Yes, knowing what all is written about the modeling industry, I assume a lot of these girls aren’t “naturally” this thin, but I also don’t know that for sure about this girl and concern-trolling her isn’t all that different than assuming that someone with a larger pant size is “unhealthy”. These are pics from a high fashion shoot–that’s how the women look in them. These clothes would look different on my body. In fact, I imagine the girl herself would probably pick sizes of these very items that would fit a little more snuggly to her frame for wearing IRL.
And plenty of non-model thin women lack “curves”, so implying that women are either unhealthy and emaciated or else healthy and busty with hips is a little disrespectful. And the girl’s haircut is beautiful–she’s beautiful and the clothes are inspiring.
All I meant is that I hope her body is not the result of industry pressure, that her appearance is natural for her. We agree there are many heathy body types.
Sorry! I got your meaning, was just agreeing–and adding to it: I agree there’s a dark side to the fashion industry and all. Just went off on a ranty tangent on the topic!
I love the triple red look, myself. It looks like kind of exposed, raw seams on the sweatshirt? Whatever it is, it looks both attractive and like something I might have a prayer of replicating myself.
Those boots I could wear. My calves won’t allow me to wear the high ones but those nice short flat ones I could wear. Love the “inside out” sweatshirt look and the deep red cabled sweater. I’m short and squat so the oatmeal ribbed sweater isn’t for me but I’d love it in the same yarn in stockinette with a ribbed yoke and a tunic bottom with ribbing that doesn’t pull in.
That’s my daughter-in-law’s natural shape and size, she has to work hard to maintain her weight. Grow up, people, fashion designers are all about ideas not what you can wear to work and to the grocery, and certainly not the models that fit the designers’ vision. Sorry, Karen, I had to speak up.
I just viewed the whole collection. Image 13 is of the red-stitch-outlined slip dress over a blouse whose armholes are cut deeper than those of the dress causing big underarm rumples of blouse. This seems to happen to me with every donning of a knit vest – can I now just call it fashion or is it still awful? Lots of beautiful stuff here and Pony Kids is beautiful.
It’s a thing I am constantly working really hard to avoid, and I think outside of a fashion shoot it is awful (and uncomfortable). But I want to believe it could be cool!
WOW…these designs are fantastic and thank you for sharing. This collection is so artful and faithful to line, form and color. I love #14…do you know where I can purchase it as I do not sew.
Again, thank you for your wonderful eye.
I’m not sure who carries their line or which of these pieces will go into production for sure, but since this is the pre-fall collection, they’ll likely be out sometime around July. I imagine they have a website with contact info if you want to do a little digging!
Love it all – wonderful inspiration for a capsule wardrobe. The colours, the shapes and those pockets but my favourite ….. The Dress – 33 and 36 – so gorgeous. It’s inspiring me to reshape a couple in my wardrobe. Perfect for layering. Fall is coming ….
The maroon cable sweater with the maroon pants – I want. Love that color. I have a friend who is knitting a mohair shawl in almost that exact shade. Beautiful!!
This may not be what I would choose to wear, myself, but it’s exciting to see designers stepping out of the box and giving us new looks to appreciate. I love to see people wearing clothing that makes them happy. Thanks for sharing this with us, Karen.
The model is certainly striking.
Oh, that red cabled sweater! To die for!!
I loved looking at these beautiful designs. What a lucky young woman she is to get to present them. Can you even imagine!!!
Karen, thank you for drawing a hard line, so so very much. Women of all walks, stripes sizes and ways get treated so horrifically- thank you for just shutting it down. I think she is adorable- she looks like a taller me when I was her age- all shaved head and full of it. And getting to wear those beautiful ideas?!? A dream. 20 years later, I don’t live a life where clothes like that are doable…but the art is beautiful and please please don’t let disappointment in some very mean spirited folks (with some possibly angry for a reason misguided and mangled) stop you from sharing your most brilliant vision. I love what you do, I love how your brain works, and I’m grateful for all of your contributions.
I won’t publicly comment on this post because you apparently don’t like it too much. I have been a subscriber for quite awhile now and I felt very uncomfortable looking at those uber thin, bald models. The models, and the clothes, screamed concentration camp to me.
The great thing about living in a democracy is that we are all entitled to our opinions and can speak them in a public forum. You have opened up a public forum, allowing comments from your subscribers, so when they comment – good or bad – those comments should not be criticized by you.
I try to live by a very simple rule: try not to be offended by others and try not to be offensive to others as well. I am sorry but this post offended me and I am very carefully trying not to offend you.
I suggest you no longer allow any type of comments. In that way, you will not be offended and have to defend your posts, and your readers will not be offended by your criticism of their opinion.
I did enjoy a great many of your posts however this one did me in. I don’t want to look at something like that, ever, and if this is where knitted fashion is taking us, then I decline to be an observer. I have been a customer and will make my purchases elsewhere from now on. Best of luck to you.
Karen Hawley
While I have the right and the technological ability to censor or delete comments, I don’t do it — that’s not me. I believe in the open exchange of ideas (not insults), and the commenters here are an important part of the blogging experience for me. But I do feel it’s entirely within my rights and my morals to set guidelines or expectations for a basic level of civility. Every time I let an attack on another human’s appearance go unremarked, it appears I’m condoning it, and I absolutely do not condone it. So I may not delete it, but I also won’t let it stand without any response from me. This is my blog, and that is my stance.
It’s obviously not my intention to ever offend anyone — this is a handmade style blog, not a political forum! — and I’m genuinely sorry these photos offend you. As I said, this girl reminds me of Sinead O’Connor, who was a voice of strength and power and a unique brand of beauty when I was this girl’s age, so I find the clothes and the model to be images of beauty and bad-assery. Your response is obviously different, and I have no problem with you saying you had a different reaction and talking about it. All I ask is that you not disparage another human for her appearance in doing so. I think that’s totally reasonable, and I’m sorry if you don’t agree.
I very much love the deep red cabled jumper!
Everyone’s perception of what they see and like depends on their life experiences. I for one was shocked when I opened this post. It had nothing to do with the model personally or professionally, but the impression I felt. I didn’t think about Sinead O’Conner at all, or her strength, but images that I’ve experienced in the past, and live with that haunt my memory. I had to revisit this post again today to truly view the clothing design.
I love all the red on red on red in that one picture. The clothes aren’t my style, personally. The pleated collar detail is interesting.
I’m sorry, but I have to agree with the nay’s –I didn’t see the clothes, I saw victims of concentration camps. I don’t see Sinead O’Connor, but a mocking of her, the models face or demeanor certainly does not reflect anything of Sinead O’Connor in expression or personality. The only thing referencing the Pony Kids was some sort of ‘gamine’ , tough little boy blank face stare. Honestly, the whole thing looks like Zombies cleaned up, in clean clothes for the visitors… the clothes are clean, but don’t fit anywhere and honestly look thrown together, with minimum effort from the design aspect.
I am not commenting on the model, as Karen above said–it is the deliberate styling and look of the whole idea and the way it is presented—that upsets me and makes it impossible to even look at the clothes. To me it looks like the model is doing her best to detract from the clothes, to draw attention to herself and not to the clothes. Again, I don’t think it was the model, but what she was directed to do.
It has been very interesting and thought provoking looking at this blog and reading all the comments.
I thank people for their honesty and it shows how carefully we look at and think about ideas presented. Surely, if the most comments are about the model and the styling, and not about the clothes, then the stylist has missed the boat. It is supposed to be about the clothes.
I have been following this thread with interest. For one, I am stunned at some of the reactions to the photos. I see a beautiful young woman. Though she is tall and thin, she does not look “malnourished” or like a “concentration camp” victim. Her skin has good, natural color, and her eyes are clear and bright. She does have a serious expression, but that is a trend that has been going on in high fashion for quite a while. And her shaved head is a current trend as well. (Sinead was ahead of her time.) I quite like it for how it makes me think of female beauty in new ways.
I also don’t find the styling offensive or suggestive of poverty or concentration camps. The clothes are clean and pressed, the model has on a bit of makeup, and the setting is modern… a studio with good lighting and a clean, crisp paper backdrop. But that is just my impression. We all have different filters that subject us to very different takes. This thread is good evidence of that. And some of the discussion that has come out of it is really interesting.
What is difficult to understand, is the criticism of Karen for posting it, and for how she has handled the comments and reactions. I honestly have never seen this kind of thing handled better in the blogging world. Kudos to you, Karen! And if you allow the negative reactions to keep you from posting fashion stuff, or any stuff your creative heart desires, then I will no longer shop here, either. Heh….just kidding. But if you do keep up the same fabulous, interesting content, it is an inevitability that I will continue to shop here.
Not for me, even when I was 50 years younger and the perfect 10. Can’t imagine it looking good on anyone. To each his own as they say.
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Beautiful knits!