Photos by George Pimentel courtesy of WireImage

Alana Zimmer, is that you? Where am I right now?

I had no idea how big designers John Muscat and Jennifer Wells of Line Knitwear were until I googled them, only to find their collections on Shopbop, Revolve Clothing, and Piperlime. After a few more minutes of searching, I tried to contain myself over the jaw-dropping, heart-stopping details of their practical, luxurious knitwear. Wait, this brand is Canadian?!

Since 2000, Line has been exaggerating details, draping knits and emphasizing embellishment all to push the boundaries of knitwear. Knit and jersey fabrics are the hardest to work with and only the most experienced designers can master their intricate techniques. How Line manages to pull it off so sexily, I don’t know.

Canadian top model and international success Alana Zimmer subtly opened the show. Patchwork and gappy knits reminded me of the less structured works of knitwear designer Sandra Backlund hanging out with hippies wearing eggplant lipstick in wintertime. Line added fur to the collection and even the crocheted floor-length dresses promoted elegant cosiness amidst the windswept models. The loop knits were filled with personality, and the cable knits were enough to mentally take me back to the Aran Islands; each piece was as precious and meaningful as an heirloom from an Irish grandmother.

The collection entitled “Migrant Muse” was inspired by European settlers and the clothes they wore as they traveled to the new world. Even the purple-grey, pink blush, cognac, dusty gold, and overall forest tones were apt. I felt oddly new-world-in-an-old-city as I immersed myself in the collection; pure and crafty in its own way, yet still far removed from the DIY knitting crowd on West Queen West.

Zooming in on the details of each piece, Line Knitwear ended fashion week with a wholesome and fulfilling collection that embraced the grittiest of textures and took all of the right risks.

~ Erin Pehlivan