Stephanie Caulier just loves to knit. The Belgian born fashion designer has been knitting since she was 5 years old, which has evolved not only into a passion, but also a livelihood. Don’t expect Caulier to crochet you a bauble, because she’s designed and created an entire knitwear collection in the name of love, ‘I Love Mr. Mittens’.
Caulier says the name “started a bit as a joke with a name from a cat book. It didn’t feel right to change it after to something more serious so I stuck to it.” More than fitting, the Mittens collection looks as warm and playful as a kitten discovering the joys of yarn.
Caulier began promoting her label just 2 years ago, garnering an enormous following on social media and in the fashion realm. “When I launched the ILMM collection in Australia, that was the first year we started making our own patterns”, Stephanie says, “I knitted before then too but it was more like knitting and see where we come out at.”
ILMM’s fashions are all entirely knitted, with no fabric besides wool featured in the collection. “For the designs now I work closely together with my knitters and we have just added an Italian knitwear designed to our team too.”
“I never had an interest in sewing or other fabrics. It always looked too complicated for me. I see my mum drawing patterns with 200 lines on and cutting all the fabrics and I just don’t understand how it works or have the patience to learn.”
ILMM abides by a “Heartworking” philosophy, Stephanie explained, “Every ILMM item is hand knitted. It’s something that can’t be rushed and can take a long time. You really need to have a great passion for knitting to be able to knit the volumes we do. Lots of love and time go in every piece!”
Caulier is not entirely embroiled in the woolen world however, citing Ellery, The Row and Acne Studios as her favourite contemporary designers du jour. Stephanie also has a keen interest in furniture and interior design.
ILMM will be featured at this year’s STYLEAID event, which seeks to raise funds for the WA AIDS Council. Caulier has already been named the winner of STYLEAID Zomp Creative Award for 2015.
Stephanie Caulier will debut Mittens first Spring/Summer cotton collection at STYLEAID, then take it to Paris and New York later this year.
To see more of Stephanie’s collection, visit www.ilovemrmittens.com.
STYLEAID will be held at Crown Resort on Friday July 31, visit www.styleaid.com.au for more information.
Leigh Hill
