The Most Amazing Knitwear Comes From Fishtown (No, It’s Not Kit and Ace)

Your wardrobe needs these designs.

Wol Hide

A sneak peek of a top from Wol Hide’s spring collection. | Image via Wol Hide.

If Lululemon leggings and a comfy shirt are what you wear most days outside the office, we found the perfect brand to help you step up your style game without sacrificing any comfort. On the contrary, you’ll probably be next-level comfy in any of the amazing knitwear designs that Wol Hide has to offer. The brand calls Fishtown home, and the aesthetic of the cozy-yet-cool knits definitely reflects the laid-back, streetwise vibe of the neighborhood. We caught up with designer Leah D’Ambrosio, who runs the brand like a one-woman show, to hear about the inspiration behind her newest collection. 

Wol Hide

A sneak peek of pieces from Wol Hide’s spring collection. | Image via Wol Hide.

Leah’s no stranger to Philly, having studied merchandising and textile design at both Drexel and Phila U. Her focus on knit textiles shines through in her collections, with the inspiration process beginning with the materials. “It’s really important to me to source good quality fibers and textiles—things I feel good about putting out into the world—depending on where they’re made or where the fibers come from,” Leah shared. She gets her materials from small-scale farmers with high standards of sustainability and ethical practices. She steers clear of dyes so as to highlight the natural beauty of the cotton used. Leah makes everything herself on hand-operated knitting machines in her Fishtown home studio. When you buy something from Wol Hide, you’re not only supporting Leah’s creative vision but also socially-responsible, small-scale farmers. 

Wol Hide

A sneak peek of pieces from Wol Hide’s spring collection. | Image via Wol Hide.

The spring/summer 2016 line marks the third season for Wol Hide and contains a breezy mix of lightweight tanks and cropped shirts, plus cozy wraps with delicate eyelet details. You can purchase Wol Hide designs online or in select Philly-area stores: Vagabond in Old City, Style Camp in Chestnut Hill, and Ella’s Grove in Haverford Square (owned by her mom!).

When she steps out of the studio, you can catch Leah teaching knitting for fashion design students at her alma maters, Drexel and Phila U, or at her husband’s Reanimator Coffee shop.