Christopher Raeburn collaborates with Wool and the Gang

It seems nowadays that the fashion world is full of collaborations. From Vans to Versace – everybody is keen to get on the Brand X Brand bandwagon, eager to work with well-known names to get themselves spoken about some more. Some creative collaborations have been more than questionable but the developing partnership between designer Christopher Raeburn and Wool and the Gang (WATG) seems to be an affiliation worth pursuing.

Together, the fashion label and knitwear brand have produced a collection of funky new accessories to compliment Raeburn’s autumn/winter 2015 collection. Known for his use of unusual fabrics, such as parachutes, to create stylish yet functional designs, Raeburn has a keen interest in ethical fashion – a concern shared by WATG, which focuses on sustainable community-based production. According to Jade Hardwood, creative director and co-founder of WATG, the blossoming relationship between the two labels is “a natural collaboration”.

She continued: “We both work under the same values and ethics. Christopher Raeburn’s influence on ethical fashion is big so we’re very proud to be part of his collection.”

The resulting fusion of forward-thinking designer and fun knitwear label is chic and cheeky. The WATG X Chrisopher Raeburn mash-up was shown off to the world at London Fashion Week last month, with models walking the runway in Raeburn’s A/W 2015 collection wrapped in enveloping snoods, deliciously understated knitted belts and chunky warming mittens, all of which were designed by WATG to compliment Raeburn’s garments. Each piece is handmade in 100% Peruvian wool and upcycled yarn sourced from fashion fabric cut-offs. The star pieces of the knitted collaboration are the playful shark mittens; members of the front row at the LFW show were given a pair to take home, whilst other guests were gifted Knit Kits to make their own pair of Bruce KnitMitts themselves.

The collection, apart from the shark mitts which are on sale now, will be available to buy later on in 2015 as ready-to-wear pieces and in the form of Knit Kits for DIY fun, with prices ranging between £49 and £250. Maybe the concept of the fashion collaboration has a lot more to offer us after all, especially if those involved are able to focus their interest on design and innovation rather than money and attention, inspiring ethical creativity and producing designs that are silly yet truly chic.

Rebecca Saunders
Photo: Courtesy of Wool and the Gang

For further information about Wool and the Gang visit here.