Amo & Bretti: Taking Knitwear Beyond Sweaters
Designing knitwear is in Amy Krofchick’s blood. Krofchick, half of Amo & Bretti, is a third-generation knitter and a member of a family of tailors. So it is no surprise that she has taken up a career in fashion and kept the business a family affair with her husband, Brett Perkins.
Krofchick and Perkins grew up in Toronto wearing chunky-knit sweaters and sheepskin-lined jackets. Now the couple takes advantage of the moderate Los Angeles climate, designing knitwear to suit a lifestyle that is not confined to freezing temperatures.
“We’re trying to shy away from ’sweater,’” said Perkins, pointing out the asymmetrical collars and hems, form-fitting styles, and fashion-forward shapes that are nothing like bulky winter wear. “I know you connote ’sweater’ because it’s knitwear. But it’s not necessarily reminiscent of a sweater.”
Some of Amo & Bretti’s designs are far from the traditional sweater composed of a body and two sleeves. A lambswool and angora kimono sweater is merely a tube, and a lambswool and angora cable-knit sweater with fringe trim resembles a blanket. While difficult to merchandise, the free-form shapes allow the sweaters to adjust to the individual’s body type in the most flattering way.
Sweaters in shapes easier to grasp have added details to make them “special,” including panels knit in opposite directions, reverse-knit stitching on wrist cuffs, and diagonal seams. The classic palette of white, black, blue and lavender appeals to stores that sell to 18- to 25-year-old women as well as those that market to 35- to 50-year-old women, according to the designers.
“We think that all of our pieces are classic, timeless and limitless,” Krofchick said. “We’re not trying to create trends; we’re trying to create beautiful pieces in your wardrobe that you can always look back to and trust.”
Wholesale price points are $69 for a long cashmere camisole; $87 for a basic cashmere sweater with bell-sleeve openings; $161 for a wide-collared cashmere crochet cardigan; and $136 for a lambswool, angora and nylon cable-knit cape.
Amo & Bretti started as a knit accessories line roughly two years ago and continues to evolve with the introduction of knit pants, skirts and dresses into the Spring/Summer collection.The upcoming collection marks the first time the designers will be working with different blends of yarns—such as linen-, cotton- and silk-blend fabrications—instead of the cashmere that usually dominates the collection.
Perkins said that the duo will develop a men’s line soon. For more information, call (310) 285-3981. —Rhea Cortado
