Myrrhia Resneck: Eco Knitwear

By Emma Tynan

Forget about the classroom or Central St Martins–who better to teach a designer how to create knitwear than her granny?

Myrrhia Resneck’s nanna was key in developing the eco-designer’s ability to create beautiful fine knits. In fact, she sees the brand is a continuation of her family’s creative traditions. “I’ve just always been into making things–all kinds of lanyards and peyote-stitch earrings. My grandpa taught me to whittle and my grandma taught me to knit at a young age. My maternal grandfather also ran a women’s clothing store”, said Myrrhia. Now, a few decades later, she designs a women’s knitwear line that she says is inspired by technology, space–and family.

Myrrhia Resneck’s organic knitwear dress

Perhaps because she lives in groovy, eco-friendly California, Myrrhia’s company places a large emphasis on utilising sustainable materials in a local supply chain. All the yarns used are organic, locally sourced and milled within 90 miles of her studio. The designer uses fibres such as un-dyed organic cotton, as well as Lenzing Tencel, which is harvested sustainably from Eucalyptus trees.

Myrrhia Resneck’s Organic Knitwear

Resneck perceives style as a form of wearable self-expression; “With fashion, I love that I can make something useful and special that someone else can literally “get into.” Fashion is probably the most intimate art form”. Her recent line features abstract, artistic patterns slightly reminiscent of Jackson Pollock’s splatter paintings, splashed across dresses, fingerless gloves, scarves and sweaters.

Myrrhia Fine Knitwear is not just about creating clothes or the allowing the designer to make an ecological point with her designs; Resneck believes that “it’s about self-actualisation for all of us.” She also added, “I hope to be part of the antidote to a culture that treats its people–and the environment that sustains them–as disposable.”

A fine lesson for us all, indeed.

For more information and stock lists, see http://myrrhia.com/

Images: Photography: Sandifer Photography, MUA: Rita Lonberger, Hair: Plum Organic, Art Direction: Andrea Krystine