Leading flat knitting machine builder Stoll has launched its latest knitwear collection - Stoll Trend Collection Autumn/Winter 2013/2014. The following text introduces the reader to the collection:

INSPIRATION

"Since the 16th century, when Europe’s interest in countries in the East rose, European art became distinctly influenced by non-Western art. First stimulated by trade with the East, faraway countries became easier accessible with the advent of the railroad and steamship. Travellers took home not only exotic objects, but also inspiration that influenced their taste at home and led to a new aesthetic in the West, a combination of the seemingly incompatible.

Western artists, designers and architects drew from oriental subjects, costumes, ornamental motifs and complex geometric patterns and portrayed the Orient as exotic, colourful and sensual. Exoticism in the decorative arts and interior decoration was associated with fantasies of opulence and ‘barbaric splendor’.”¨”¨

By the middle of the 19th century, many non-Western forms and ornamental motifs had found their way into the vocabulary of European decorative arts.ӬӬ

For AW 13/14 we drew inspiration from this rich clash of aesthetics and from flamboyant style icons of the time. The collection combines long and elegant silhouettes, draped cuts and layered knits with ornaments, exotic motifs and graphic patterns. Hairy textures, achieved by the use of mohair, chenille and alpaca yarns form a contrast to shiny yarns with viscose blends.ӬӬ

In addition to established Stoll knitting techniques like intarsia and multigauge, we rediscovered an almost forgotten technique: Stoll-devoré knit® offers a unique method of knitting trans-parent and opaque areas simultaneously. It allows to design transparency into knits like known from the appearance of burn-out techniques or so called devoré fabrics.”¨”¨

The colour pallet is also inspired by the opulence of exotic subjects, from earth tones to rich purples, reds and greens and shiny metallics.ӬӬ

The collection includes 4 designs created by students as a result of a joint project between the Stuttgart State Academy of Arts and Design, the Italian yarn manufacturer Zegna Baruffa Lane Borgosesia and Stoll Germany. The designs were shown during Pitti Filati in Florence on the booth of Zegna Baruffa Lane Borgosesia and in the Stoll showroom in Manhattan.ӬӬ

Wilhelma, the zoological and botanical garden of Stuttgart, with its impressive 19th century Moorish style buildings and greenhouses made the right setting for the photo shoot of the collection.ӬӬ

Indulge in the opulent pieces and be inspired by the influences of Oriental culture from the past centuries translated by Stoll into modern techniques!"

Download Stoll Flamboyant Trend Collection AW 2013-14