Amber Hards: yarn for yarn

When I first came across Amber Hards graduate collection – Jellyfish Blooms – my heart skipped a beat. The simplicity of the colour palette beautifully compliments the intricacy of the woven fabrics making for a dazzling and unusual first collection and so I had to find out more!

Amber Hards studied at UWE Bristol getting a first class honours in fashion/textiles.  Inspired by the movement of jellyfish, Hards first collection – Jellyfish Blooms – has shown at London Graduate Fashion Week, Gala Show 1 and some pieces have shown at Shanghai Fashion Week. Hards was also a finalist in the Student Knitted Textile Awards, along with receiving the runner-up prize for the Innovation Award.  Two of Hards outfits have featured in Double magazine and the designer has also worked with the Director / Animator, Ian Emes!

Inspirational designers for Hards include: Alexander McQueen, Christopher Kane, Hussein Chalayan, Mark Fast and more recently Louise Goldin - for changing peoples perception of knitwear as it currently stands and turning it on its head. Hards focused her last year at university on knitwear and her favourite piece from her graduate collection contains over 70,000 rows of knit! For me, I found it difficult to choose a favourite, as each item is so unique in its design that I’m a fan of the whole ensemble.

Admitting that her own style is a lot more laid back, wearing a mix of high-street with vintage/charity clothes, she confesses that she isn’t overtly feminine, doesn’t like fuss and isn’t trend-led with her everyday wardrobe.

The designer is currently working on her new collection based on Saturn, again creating new knitted swatches and silhouettes whilst updating her portfolio. Hards says:  “I'm looking at using some thicker yarns and contrasting them again with lighter and stretchy yarns.  I've also recently had my designs used in a short film by Ian Emes and various photo shoots for some magazines”.  Hards is hoping to study an MA at Central Saint Martins and then work in the Fashion Industry designing. This designer is certainly one to watch so keep your eyes peeled for the new collection launching soon!

www.amberhards.co.uk