Karl Donoghue
// Senior Womenswear Designer //
A curated selection of fine gauge pure cashmere knitwear, as a part of my four years leading the womenswear design and development for the luxury brand Karl Donoghue.
Inspired by timeless wardrobe staples, I aimed to blend relaxed proportions with refined textures to create effortless, contemporary luxury.
Throughout the collections I created signature design details, including the “back neck inverted stitch”-detail and a internal hidden patch pocket to hide the care labels.
The Approach
My design approach was grounded in exploration and refinement. I began by testing a range of silhouettes, gauges, yarn thicknesses, and stitch types to understand how each variable affected drape, weight, and hand feel.
Through this process, I established a clear direction, ultimately selecting a 12-gauge, 2-ply 26/2 construction, executed in jersey stitch, half cardigan stitch, and brioche stitch depending on the style. These combinations provided the ideal balance of structure, softness, and visual depth across the collection.
A key design signature emerged through the use of an inverted stitch detail placed at the back neck of each garment, acting as a subtle point of distinction. In select styles, this detail was shifted towards the side, referencing the idea of garments in motion and the natural asymmetry found in worn-in, everyday pieces, adding a quiet, considered disruption to otherwise classic forms.
As product development progressed, I became increasingly aware of the contradiction between using ultra-soft cashmere and introducing abrasive care labels. In response, I developed an internal patch system designed to house care and size labels, preserving wearer comfort.
This patch also functions as a practical compartment for spare thread and, where relevant, additional buttons - eliminating the need for separate plastic packaging and reinforcing a more thoughtful, user-centric approach to garment finishing.
The Collection
Designed for luxury layering and for complimenting our shearling outerwear range, this pure cashmere range was based around using the ultimate luxury fabric for your classic wardrobe staples.
Across four consecutive collections, the development of our 12-gauge knitwear evolved through a considered process of refining silhouette, weight, and finish. Balancing timeless design with modern proportion.
Each season built upon the last, introducing subtle shifts in fit, texture, and colour while maintaining a consistent focus on craftsmanship and material integrity.
The collection features oversized t-shirts, cardigans, crewneck jumpers and more, all engineered to deliver versatility, softness, and enduring appeal within a contemporary luxury wardrobe.