Kari Capone Design Debuts Sweater Collection of Upcycled and Handknit Sweaters

MAPLEWOOD, N.J., November 19, 2020 (Newswire.com) - ​​​​​​​It could only have happened during 2020. Kari Capone, founder of Kari Capone Design, and Brianna Kelley met in a Facebook group, where Brianna was seeking employment. Within a matter of two months, they'd imagined, created, and launched their first knitwear collection. And they did it all without once meeting in person.

Kari Capone works for a publishing house by day and designs sweaters at night. Brianna Kelley was recently furloughed from her job as a design assistant in NYC's Garment District. They found each other on a local Facebook group, where Brianna was seeking employment.

"At first, Brianna did Instagram marketing for the business, and she's amazing at it," Kari explains. "Then I found out she knows how to use a serger." Kari bid on and won a serger on eBay, and shipped it to Virginia Beach, where Brianna was quarantining with family. They coordinated logistics and shared sweater designs via Facebook messenger, Dropbox, and email.

The Holiday Sweater Collection includes two fully handknit and eight upcycled sweaters, the latter from cashmere, merino, and linen pieces that Kari and Brianna thrifted locally. The result is a capsule collection built to flatter women of all shapes and sizes. Styles range from an XS Italian merino surplice turtleneck pullover to the Merino Linen Silk Duster, a one-size showstopper that combines a silk kimono with a serged overcoat.

"The handknit sweaters in this collection are extra special," says Capone. "The Handpaint Cardi is made from wool that's grown and milled in Wyoming, then dyed in Oregon using natural dyes." She was inspired by the iconic Chanel jacket shape when designing this piece - and one could wear it with pearls - but the result is a softer, relaxed piece that can be worn with jeans as well.

Another standout, the Woodsy Cape, seems ideally suited for winter afternoons at home, with its generous drape and blanket-like construction. "It's the Nap Dress of the knitwear world," Capone laughs. "I'm knitting another one for myself." 

Although each sweater is one-of-a-kind, common themes run through their designs. Brianna's sweaters are bold and sporty, with sexy flair (see the Red and Tan Peekaboo), while Kari skews toward the romantic, with bows and ruffles (as in the Cashmere Velvet Pullover.)

Kari and Brianna are already planning new lines for 2021, heartened by the success of their first collaboration. Capone says, "It's unbelievable to me that we've only been working together for two months. I can't wait to see what the next year brings." Increased synergy, undoubtedly, as Brianna has recently relocated to South Orange, New Jersey, only one mile from Kari.

Source: Kari Capone Design