Sue Sartor AW 25 Case Study
I had the pleasure of designing knitwear for my client, Sue Sartor, for their AW25 Collection.
A little about my Client:
Founded by designer Sue Sartor, the brand celebrates artisan-made pieces rooted in her love of handcraft. With a design career that began in the 1990s at Calvin Klein, where she even shared a small office with Caroline Bessette Kennedy, Sue now channels that sensibility into her ethical, small-batch brand.
Marigolds are the heart of the brand as a motif that carries light, warmth, and joy. The floral comes to life in knitwear through texture, translated in a subtle and dimensional tonal floral.
When Sue Sartor reached out to me to refine their knitwear, the challenge was clear:
How do we introduce a new silhouette that encourages layering, especially over the voluminous sleeves of her signature dresses, while still standing on its own as a hero piece?
How do we thoughtfully expand on her existing knit styles, refreshing colorways and stitch techniques while staying true to her brand DNA?
How can we improve the fit of her core knit pieces, like the cardigan and pullover vest, based on direct customer feedback?
Long Line Vest
Every collection tells a story, and the strongest ones have throughlines that carry across categories.
When Sue Sartor and I partnered on her AW25 collection, she had one request: build on her knitwear offering. This included introducing a fresh silhouette. The result: the Longline Vest — a transitional piece designed to slip over Sue’s signature wovens or stand alone as a mini dress (my personal favorite).
Sue’s brand is beloved for its artisanal prints and effortless shapes. The challenge was clear: create knitwear that felt just as versatile and artisanal, while introducing new ways to layer through changing seasons — all at a price her customers would embrace. Adding to the complexity, each floral detail on this piece is individually hand-embroidered.
The Challenge
Sue’s brand is beloved for its artisanal prints and effortless shapes. The challenge was clear: create knitwear that felt just as versatile and artisanal, while introducing new ways to layer through changing seasons, all at a price her customers would embrace. Adding to the complexity, each floral detail on this piece is individually hand-embroidered.
The Approach
Designed a long, lean silhouette that integrates seamlessly with Sue’s core dresses and blouses.
Balanced structure with movement, so the vest holds shape yet flows with the body.
Developed a textural floral stitch, inspired by her block prints, anchored by an ivory trellis motif to keep it artisanal and timeless.
Crafted in 100% baby alpaca, Fair Trade certified and sustainably sourced, reinforcing Sue’s commitment to craft and ethics
The Result
The Longline Vest is more than a layering piece, it’s knitwear that moves easily between east coast summers and holiday parties, bridging comfort, artisanal craft, and versatility.
This collection proves that with the right approach, knitwear can expand a collection while staying true to its DNA.
Where customer insights meet seasonal refresh.
Evolving staples through subtle fit adjustments and fall colorways rooted in brand DNA.
The Challenge
Sue Sartor’s knitwear had already carved out a loyal following, but customer feedback pointed to opportunities for refinement. Customers loved the pullover vest and barrel cardigan, yet many wanted a more flattering fit that worked both layered and on its own. At the same time, her knit colorways and Fair Isle stitch designs were due for a seasonal refresh, the pieces her customers cherished needed newness and seasonal alignment without losing the brand’s DNA.
The Approach
The season started by carefully reshaping the silhouettes. The pullover vest and cardigan were lengthened and adjusted through the body to create proportions that drape more naturally and flatter across sizes. Fit improvements were guided directly by customer feedback, ensuring the updates felt intentional and wearable.
For color Sue requested grounding the collection in shades her customers had already embraced while weaving in fresh seasonal tones. The Fair Isle stitch was refined and then recolored. Because of the brand’s small-batch nature and timing constraints, we worked with stock-service yarns, a thoughtful constraint that allowed for freshness without compromising delivery timing.
The Result
A more versatile, flattering fit in core knits that aligns with customer expectations.
Seasonal color updates, creating excitement while maintaining brand loyalty.
A refreshed Fair Isle stitch that feels modern yet true to the brand’s artisan identity.
Knitwear that continues to feel like a natural extension of Sue Sartor’s joyful, handcraft-rooted design language.
Collaborations like this are why I love what I do:
helping brands create knitwear that is elevated, commercially successful, technically sound, and deeply aligned with their vision.
