Today I have an extra-special bonus post from Teresa Gregorio, who is working on an exciting new project with Leah Coccari-Swift called Great Northern, a pattern collection inspired by Twin Peaks (more on that in a sec!). Teresa is a talented designer and blogger whom I met at TNNA earlier this year, where we shared our love of craft beer and I got her hooked on Untappd!
Leah and Teresa are raising funds for their project via Kickstarter; as you may or may not already know, I absolutely love supporting cool projects on Kickstarter, especially when they involve knitting (see: Midwestern Knits, Wooly App, etc). They already have my pledge - I hope you'll consider supporting them too!
Without further ado, I'll let Teresa share more about this project along with her list of the Top 5 Knitwear Themes inspired by the show!
Knitters and sweaters. We go together like cherry and pie.
Or like Audrey and Dale. Or Norma and Ed.
I’m alluding to Twin Peaks; for those who may not have encountered this 90s television gem before, it was a groundbreaking series that ran for two seasons and is well known for its unusual, eerie atmosphere, bizarre characters, and (for the fashion-watchers) its collection of vintage knitted sweaters.
Or like Audrey and Dale. Or Norma and Ed.
I’m alluding to Twin Peaks; for those who may not have encountered this 90s television gem before, it was a groundbreaking series that ran for two seasons and is well known for its unusual, eerie atmosphere, bizarre characters, and (for the fashion-watchers) its collection of vintage knitted sweaters.
The wardrobe on the show is one of those things that made the show so groundbreaking; director David Lynch brought a big-screen sensibility to tv, where he created a sense of timelessness and character individuality through wardrobe. There’s the mid-century class of Audrey; the cozy 70s vibes of the Log Lady; and even the oversized pre-grunge of the late 80s/early 90s. The show is filled with fantastic inspiration; so fantastic, in fact, that fellow knitwear designer Leah Coccari-Swift and I have a Kickstarter campaign to fund the publication of a pattern book filled with our own take on the vintage vibes of Twin Peaks. Our book is called Great Northern, and we’re really excited!!
Let me walk you through some of that vintage fabulousness and what we’re doing with it.
Sweater Type 1: Late 80s oversized ski sweater
Twin Peaks was filmed right at the dawn of the 90s, so it’s no surprise that there’s a great set of late 80s/early 90s fashion sensibilities in the wardrobe. Several character sport sweaters of this kind; here you see Donna (a young Lara Flynn Boyle) in her oversized circular yoke pullover.
Leah has drawn inspiration from this garment type to create Filled With Secrets, one of her coziest sweaters that’ll be part of our book Great Northern.
Everybody loves a cowichan sweater. They’ve been around for over 100 years now, getting love from each decade and picking up a sense of 20th century timelessness along the way. They’re cardigans/jackets that feature graphic colorwork. The non-sequitur spouting Log Lady, a fan favourite, is often seen wearing one of her many cowichan style jackets.
Leah’s taken the spirit of this garment type and added an updated flair with cable work and waist-defining belt in her design, My Log Does Not Judge.
Sweater Type 3: Mid-Century Glamour Top
Audrey Horne has got to be the most stylish character on Twin Peaks. She goes from sweet high schooler in saddle shoes to self-directed, powerful seductress over the course of the show. This journey is reflected through her wardrobe. One of her iconic outfits is the fitted, set-in-sleeve sweater and plaid skirt she sports near the beginning of season one.
Audrey Horne has got to be the most stylish character on Twin Peaks. She goes from sweet high schooler in saddle shoes to self-directed, powerful seductress over the course of the show. This journey is reflected through her wardrobe. One of her iconic outfits is the fitted, set-in-sleeve sweater and plaid skirt she sports near the beginning of season one.
Leah has drawn inspiration from Audrey for a number of pieces in Great Northern. One is her classy Jack with One Eye, a figure-hugging vintage crop top with attractive yoke detail.
A Henley is a classic sweater shape. They started out as menswear many decades ago, and gained wide popularity in the 1970s. They’re essentially collarless polo shirts, with a buttoned placket running beneath the rounded neckline.
One of my favourite characters in Twin Peaks wears a Henley in a season one scene. This sweater is a fantastic representation of vintage inspiration, with delicate lines, set-in-sleeves, and a classic, wearable style.
I drew inspiration from this sweater to design my own Henley; slightly updated for a 21st century palette, including a graceful neckline, gentle ease throughout the body, and a tailored look with clean, turned hems.
I drew inspiration from this sweater to design my own Henley; slightly updated for a 21st century palette, including a graceful neckline, gentle ease throughout the body, and a tailored look with clean, turned hems.
Knitting was super popular in the 1980s. It was THE era of the drop sleeve sweater. And that uber popularity came to pigeonhole that sweater type as exclusive to an earlier age. Fortunately, this is turning around, with loads of drop shoulder designs once again hitting the knitting world.
Both Leah and I have drop shoulder sweaters in Great Northern. Mine was inspired by yet another of my favourite characters, the sweet and silly Lucy. The costume designer for the show LOVED to put her in oversized drop shoulder tops; I love this cabled one, and have embraced it and updated it in my design Jelly Donuts, with angled pockets, toggles, and a cozy collar.
It was a great show and has a great soundtrack to go with it. Good luck with your project. Sounds fun.
ReplyDeleteI love Twin Peaks, and I love this duo! I'm so hoping they get their funding. I've contributed!
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