At London Fashion Week, USA-ITA member company Pringle of Scotland showed a fresh and vibrant spring collection that gave a nod to the brand’s iconic history—and USA-ITA Communications Director Samantha Sault was there to get a first look.
Pringle of Scotland, a Scottish luxury knitwear brand founded in 1815 by Robert Pringle, prides itself on its heritage. One of the first global knitwear manufacturers, the brand is credited with popularizing the argyle print—famously worn by the Duke of Windsor—and the knit twinset, which remains a wardrobe staple for many women. This season was no exception—but spring’s argyle sweaters are anything but square.
The presentation at Brown’s Hotel in London’s posh Mayfair on September 17th was intimate, with guests perusing the racks while models walked the room and posed for cameras (and iPhones). It was an accessible, but elegant show—just like the Spring 2013 collection. Inspired by the 1950s “sweater girls” like Jean Simmons and Brigitte Bardot (to name two), Pringle of Scotland’s spring looks were classic shapes in vibrant colors. The staples included streamlined knits with cuffed trousers and pleated skirts, crisp shirt dresses, and of course, classic argyle v-neck sweaters—pieces that are necessary for any woman’s wardrobe, but pieces with exceptional tailoring and luxurious details. The best Fashion Week presentations are the ones in which you get to see the clothes up-close and feel the fabrics, and Pringle’s luxurious fabrics were a treat.
The collection stood out due to the colors and details. The colors were like candy—“jade green,” “raspberry,” and “cobalt blue,” according to the press release, along with a lemon yellow that has been popular on many of the spring runways. (Yes, you’ll definitely want yellow in your wardrobe for next spring.) The details were impressive—sparkly beading and metallic belts that are trendy, but wearable.
(I was also taken with the Manolo Blahnik shoes, especially the shiny silver pointy-toe pumps.)
Pringle of Scotland has been undergoing some structural changes—this year, an in-house team created the looks for a much more intimate show than seasons past—but it’s clear that change is good, and we can expect many more good things from this historic brand. USA-ITA congratulates our member on a great show, and wishes Pringle much success in the years to come!
For more information on the brand, visit www.pringlescotland.com or one of the brand's flagship stores in London or Hong Kong.