Alice & Astrid are excited to be part of the Swishforit Showcase which launches Friday 3rd July.
This has never been a better and more important time to support and discover independent businesses. You can browse and shop online with Swishforit who are hosting over 70 independent brands with exclusive offers and discounts all in one place. Running over the month of July there will be lots of live events taking place on Instagram, a fun and great way to find out more about the brands and people behind them.
Heading up independent brands also taking part and who share my love and passion for natural fibres and quality- a peek at a few of the knitwear brands and their gorgeous products you'll want to check out.
With a very similar philosophy to Alice & Astrid and to my own background. Charl knitwear was created by designer Frankie with a background is in luxury fashion, having worked many years for heritage brand, Burberry. Drawing on this experience, she was compelled to create a knitwear brand which at its heart is about modern, pared back but ultimately wearable pieces, rooted in the celebration and evolution of heritage craftsmanship. Since the birth of her children she has felt an increased responsibility towards a more ethical and sustainable method of sourcing and production. Charl is a collection of knitwear using organic, traceable and naturally dyed cashmere, rare breed traceable British wool and un-dyed baby alpaca yarn all knitted and expertly produced at carefully selected factories in London and Perugia (Italy).
We love this Merino wool shrug which wraps around like a cosy shawl. Great for a cool day or evening cover-up! It is manufactured using the latest seamless technology to prevent any rubbing or discomfort and made with 100% Merino wool spun in Italy, which is soft to the skin, breathable, insulating, odour resistant and anti-bacterial.
Appreciating the qualities of wool was the base line for starting The Wool Booth.
Having been involved in a family business for the last 8 years retailing in the North of England it was evident that there is a market for quality with provenance.
In 1999 Alison Booth had her first herd of Hebridean Sheep which with the help of family and friends started the growing interest with wool.
The online shop ('Booth') was created, selling her own designs together with items purchased from traditional woollen mills and artisan makers.
Ethically and locally based to Alice & Astrid in the Yorkshire countryside is Chunky Knit Boutique, who create beautifully handmade chunky knit blankets, throws and bed runners, using only locally sourced, cruelty free Merino Wool.
We hope you will join us in a celebration of Independent Brand shopping and pop along to Swishforit, sign up and be inspired and discover more fashion, home and garden, food and drink, baby and child, beauty and wellbeing and gifts, while also having the chance to save and create your very own Swishforit shopping lists for future shopping.
Astrid x