Chunky knits from Bee & Sons – the amazing knitwear brand devoted to circular fashion.
“Nothing makes me feel more like ‘me’ than good chunky knits. Some of the best around come from small British brand Bee&Sons.” – Anna Murphy, The Times
The new campaign from Bee and Sons – all-natural circular knitwear, includes an accessories capsule in collaboration with Pearl Lowe. Deborah Bee the founder and former marketing director at Harvey Nichols, is a small business who is taking every care to do things the right way – even if that is the long way!
BEE&SONS Philosophy
At Bee&Sons they’d rather you saved up for one ‘good’ jumper than bought five ‘bad’ ones. Good means natural, using yarns that contain no synthetics, can be recycled into new yarn and won’t end up in landfill. The quality of Bee&Sons yarns means you can love them a long time. They choose Italian yarn-makers who have been spinning yarns for decades. Their recycled yarn come from Prato, home to an incredible community of world-expert recyclers. who saw the value of secondhand fibre centuries ago. Their knitters are in Mansfield. They know them. They really like them and they’re really good. They don’t outsource their work and the people who work there are treated respectfully and kindly. The Vanda is a funnel neck that does what it says on the tin – with a funnel neck that stands up neatly and snuggly. The classic style has been adapted to suit all shapes and sizes, with a loose-fitting body and sleeves. It’s a fine knit with a chunky knits feel, made with irresistibly soft yarn.
BEE&SONS Deb Bee
I wrote my first feature about recycling wool in 2001. Since then, recycling in the UK has got worse rather than better. Currently 9 out of every 10 garments we own will end up in landfill or being incinerated – however diligently we try to recycle by putting them in textile bins or taking them to the local charity shop. The synthetic clothing that we currently own will outlive us. Even buried in landfill, that irresistible polyester dress we didn’t even think was a problem, will still be a polyester dress in 200 years time. As a guide for the future – avoid all synthetic fabrics – those made with fossil fuels like Polyester, Nylon, Spandex and Acrylic. Also avoid blends of fibres – like poly-cotton as these cannot be recycled either. I once asked a very clever lady who knows a lot about pollution what my mantra should be – and she said ‘Never buy anything new. Stem the flow of perfectly good products to landfill. Reduce the need for new things.’ The system of creating fashion has broken. What could have been a win/win – less wealthy countries becoming more wealthy through clothing manufacture for the wealthy countries – that has failed. Instead, already-disadvantaged people are making our clothes, in conditions that are shameful and paid a woeful amount, in order that we can get a fast fashion fix. I started Bee&Sons to see if it is possible to produce clothing in an ethically and environmentally positive way, using recyclable and recycled yarn. Here is my small start
BEE&SONS The Tallulah Knitwear Collection
Driven by a shared fascination for the fashions of the 20s and 30s, Pearl Lowe and Bee&Sons have created the Tallulah collection launching October 2022. The collaboration is a natural fit in many ways. Since launching her womenswear brand in 2017, Pearl has keenly supported UK manufacture, relying on a team of seamstresses local to her Somerset home. Pure cottons, silks, wool and crepe feature in her both home and fashion ranges. Bee&Sons founder, Deborah Bee, uses recycled cashmere, wool, mohair, and silk in her knitwear collections, all designed to be recycled. A passion for reducing fashion-waste and producing clothing that will last a lifetime is key for both designers. Adhering to the principles of slow fashion, the Tallulah Knitwear Collection from Pearl Lowe X Bee&Sons is a limited-edition collection, made with EXTRAFINE MERINO wool, a 100% natural yarn, that can be recycled and will biodegrade naturally. The collection is vintage inspired, taking cues from many of Pearl’s dress designs, which look to the past for glamour and elegance.
Pearl says, “I’ve been thinking about knitwear for a while. Many of my customers have asked me how I wear my dresses all year round, and I realised I relied on the same 1920s long fitted coat I’d had for years, that I picked up in a vintage shop in Paris. Deb has recreated this shape in a knit – with a waterfall collar, lacey trumpet cuffs and a gently fitted waist. It’s very flattering and works with all my dresses. We couldn’t resist making some accessories to go with the cardigan – a loose lacey hat, a skinny scarf, a wider scarf and a selection of flowers in wonderful coordinating colours.
Deb says, “I’m so excited to be working with Pearl. We’ve spent hours perfecting this collection so that it ticks all the boxes – it’s a small run, so we minimise our waste, and it’s all natural – but very importantly – it’s cute as hell. We haven’t taken ours off since they arrived. We have so many more ideas on the way, so watch this space.”
