Knitwear has recently been thrust into the high fashion spotlight with a range of designers choosing to focus on natural fibres.
One such designer is Michael van der Ham, a leading Dutch name, who made sure that his creations stood out on the autumn-winter catwalks.
Ditching home comforts such as knitted socks and big jumpers, he put his own spin on the world of haute couture knitwear, largely using vivid geometric patterns, juxtaposed with bright colours and heavy layering.
Van der Ham has even paired up with Scottish cashmere firm Brora to create a capsule collection using his signature bold knits.
Speaking to the independent he explained that his mainline consists of collages of texture and colour, with zig-zag stripes in bright shades, contrasting with block colour and borders of delicate lace knit.
Adding to the eccentric mix, the designer also favours using intarsia patterns across his jumpers, gloves and hats, as he fuses prints and a variety of fabrics.
Van der Ham told the newspaper: "The colour palette was really important.
"I used a lot of vivid shades to offset the pastels we used, and all different types and weights [of stitches] so I could mix them within the range."
He then went on to add: "I love that with knitwear you can control every detail from the core fibre."
Van der Ham is fast making a name for himself across the world, but has a particular following in the UK after graduating from Central Saint Martins and going on to work With Sophia Kokosalaki and Alexander McQueen.
His autumn-winter collection 2012 was very well received at London Fashion Week back in February, while his contrasting combination of floral prints and exaggerated tailoring helped his spring-summer 2013 show stand out during September's London Fashion Week.
