Rhys Dwfen: Knit Wit
Los Angeles–based designer Julie Kwon knows a thing or two about sweaters. Since her days as a student at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, knits have been her thing. “I’m not sure how exactly I became the sweater person, but that’s the way it’s been,” Kwon said. “I love it. There is so much you can do with sweaters.” Her love of knits landed her at Vince, the Los Angeles– based contemporary knitwear line popular among high-end retailers, three years ago, where she did everything from sweater development and technical design to merchandising and yarn development. Now, Kwon is putting her knit wits to work for her, launching Rhys Dwfen (pronounced “rice doo-wie-fen”), a collection of knit sweaters and dresses for Fall 2007.
Already set to ship to hip retailers such as Sirens & Sailors and EM & Co. in Los Angeles and She in Chicago, Rhys Dwfen is “all about layering and freshness and looking effortless,” Kwon said. “I want people to wear the pieces all the time. Wear it out, beat it up, I don’t care.”
Made from silk, wool, baby alpaca, cashmere, yak wool and cotton, Rhys Dwfen’s 25-piece collection focuses on simple dresses and cardigans of all shapes and sizes. “I think every girl should wear a dress everyday—even if it’s with sneakers or flip-flops,” Kwon said. Key looks for the collection are a champagne-colored bubble dress with pockets, asymmetrical cashmere cardigans, cape cashmere cardigans and a double-knit wool dress. An alpaca hoodie features three-quarter-length bell sleeves and exaggerated cuffs, and a long vest features a plunging neckline and belted waist. Wholesale price points for Rhys Dwfen range from $60 for T-shirts to $225 for a chunky cashmere sweater.
With four seasons and nine deliveries planned, Kwon will keep her focus narrow for the first year, she said. Eventually she hopes to add trousers and skirts into her mix.
“The whole idea is to be special and clever but not overdone,” Kwon said. For more information, contact the Marilyn Rodriguez Studio in The New Mart, suite 611, or call (213) 489-0796. —Erin Barajas
