Ann Arundell

Ann Arundell was born in Yorkshire; a county in England that has always been known for its spinning, weaving and its fine worsted suiting. At the age of three, Anns Grandmother taught her how to knit and crotchet. She is very grateful to her grandmother, although at the time she did not appreciate the discipline instilled in her! Ann's Grandmother would say, "if something is worth doing, it is worth doing well" and if Ann dropped a stitch, her Grandmother would not allow her to take a break until it was corrected.

Ann Arundell moved to Lincolnshire twenty years ago. She fell in love with a beautiful spot surrounded in chestnut trees, nestling at the foot of the Lincolnshire Wolds. As an oil painter, she looked forward to painting animals and local landscapes .The property Ann and her husband moved in to needed considerable renovation. Due to all the alterations, such as the knocking down and the building up of walls, Ann found it impossible to work with her oil paints. Anns two children where very young at the time; she had to think of something that she could do that was constructive and that was compatible with the children.

Design Progression

Ann believes "necessity is the mother of invention".

Ann had an idea that she might be able to translate her animal paintings into knitting. With this in mind she created her first animal sweater. A lot of pleasure was gained from this first sweater as she had created something so very different, which was a work of art, simply transferred from one medium to another. It occurred to Ann that there were probably other ladies living in the countryside who where not able to go out to work because they had young children. Ann realised that if she was able find a market for the product, she would be able to provide work for the local community.

Developments

With this in mind, Ann went to London and made an appointment with Harrods. Harrods asked her to design a collection for them for the Clansman Knitwear Department. They later featured her sweaters on two pages in the Harrods Christmas Catalogue.

Pringle then approached Ann to design a collection for the British Pavilion for the opening of The Epcot Centre in Florida.

Ann soon began exporting to Japan, Milan, the United States of America and Paris.

Ann's designs have been featured in such as, Harper's and Queen and the Style supplement of The Sunday Times. Ann recently met a wonderful lady who in fact has been buying her sweaters for the past twenty years. This same lady held a luncheon reception in Anns honour at the Bel Air country club, Beverly Hills, which was a very successful occasion.

Early 1998 saw Ann approached to design a collection for Red or Deads Autumn/Winter 1998 Catwalk Collection. The theme was "a trip across America", and in response Ann designed Bald Eagle, Wolf, Bear, and Yorkshire Terrier sweaters. Much press was received from such as; The Sunday Express, Channel Five News, and Sky TV who featured the entire Red or Dead collection.

The Future

Ann is very excited about the future and has several areas on which she would like to concentrate.

Ann launched a range of coats and jackets into the UK market which have been very enthusiastically received. Ann would like to build on this success and is very interested in the development of such clothing. Ann believes clothing is meant for style and comfort, which can be worn for all occasions. On this basis, Ann would like to develop this range further.

Secondly, animals and their design is a constant love of Anns and one which she is dedicated to for the future. Currently, Ann is involved with projects which help support and raise awareness of many animals including endangered species.

Finally, environmental concerns are at the forefront of developments for Ann Arundell. The natural fibres which she uses are both gentle on the skin and for the environment itself. This is a continuing concern and one which will be maintained for the future.