The Scarf Line

AMY LEINER DESIGNS

The History and Production of “The Scarf Line”

The process starts at the Lavendula Farm along the Connecticut Countryside with our beloved sheep, Kazoo, Violet, Vanilla and Bianca, and Llama, Mrs. Gingah and sadly, Mr. Mateo passed away 3 weeks ago. These beauties are rescues. Their fleece and fur become the fiber for our scarves. These amazing animals pay it forward with us.

After the sheep are sheared, the fleece is carded and washed and oftentimes, dyed into a myriad of luscious colors. A luxurious blend of hand spun art yarn along with trims and silks are coordinated. Some yarns are chained to create texture and volume. Some are crocheted into a symphony of color and texture. Continuing to spin these exotic yarns that are dyed creating saturated color ways from audacious brights to warm neutrals. After the fleece is spun into yarn, vintage trims and metallic threads are spun in. The silk is recycled from retired sari’s from Nepal and shipped to a distributor in upstate New York. And, if that wasn’t enough of a visual feast, plush, natural feathers are triple-layered and sometimes spot dyed to compliment the natural fiber, adding movement and dimension, additional color and a softness -- continuing the color story. The finishing touches are wrapping all the strings and fiber with deer suede gathered from production scrap bins within upholstery houses.

Color, texture, shape, sparkle, layers-- Every found thread, bead, tulle, suede, silk and feather is used. The juxtaposition of these elements create the structure of my aesthetic. I obsessively play with these elements as a fiber design artist making unexpected, over-decorated, art-to-wear statement pieces. I explore how placement effects movement and I’m continually fascinated with the limitlessness of artistic possibilities. The color combinations are my signature design element.

A portion of the profit is to rescue, re-cycle, feed and provide shelter for the sheep and Llama. Lauren, the owner of Country Yarns in Wallingford, CT is the head of Production for all the scarves. She is the cultivator, the shearer, the spinner, the dyer, the knitter and the feather applicator.  I am the designer, the wearer, the seller, and the resource buyer.

With this kind of collaboration.. the scarves have become one of the most labor intensive, unique and dramatic accessory for woman who dare to be different.

Amy Leiner