Lily Cole and friends launch The North Circular

‘Knitted by grannies, supported by supermodels’ is the motto behind Lily Cole’s new eco knitwear label, The North Circular. Amiee Jones writes.

The brand is a joint effort between models Lily Cole and Katherine Poulton, Central Saint Martins graduate Alice Ashby and entrepreneur Isobel Davies. The line is comprised completely from the wool of rescued Wensleydale sheep and employs local grannies to whip them up into next seasons must-have, eco solution to blustery english weather.

The rescued sheep are from Izzy Lane’s sheep sanctuary in North Yorkshire, where the sheep chew on organic grass and live out their entire life. The dyes used to colour the wool is also natural, the dyeing being carried out within a 120 mile radius of the sanctuary to cut down on cO2 emissions. They also keep the packaging they use to a minimum and use recycled materials wherever possible.

Traditional English pieces are injected with a dose of the contemporary to create cozy, individual pieces you’ll be pulling out year are year. The knits are thick, chunky and practical, with just the right amount of quirkiness.

You can also invest in your very own bespoke North Circular piece by choosing from one of sixteen designs and five colours, so you get the exact combination you want. There is even a blog that keeps customers updated on the progress of their personalised order.

Gloves and scarfs are only the first step however, as the brand is working on expanding into other areas of accessories as well as luxurious yet understated eco women’s wear in the near future.

The North Circular