"I don't really think of myself as being in the fashion business, I always look upon myself as a designer maker, a craftsperson (laughs), not a fashion designer!" PB

Penny Burdett was busy preparing for her fashion show (see end of page) when I dropped by to talk with her in her shop at The West Yard - Camden Lock Market. Her model Sarah was wearing an elegant design in soft charcoal with a grey cool edging, and Penny definitely brings a whole new meaning to the world of knitting - she creates individual looks and has flattering designs, and also produces great cushions, wall hangings… We got down to a few quick questions once I stopped admiring everything!

How did you get started?

I've always made my own clothes, I actually studied graphic design at college, and then it sort of grew from there. I started making my children's clothes, then clothes for other people and their children and finally I got myself a knitting machine and never looked back!

What made you choose Camden as your design outlet?

I went round all the big stores and tried to wholesale and they treated me with such contempt, and then I went to a little shop and she said I can't take your designs but I'd suggest you get a stall in Camden Lock. And I thought that was a good idea! So I brought along six jumpers and sold three of them on the first day, I made over a hundred pounds and thought 'wow'! So that was in 1986, and then I had a stall for about twelve years, and then the shop came up. I also do events like the Country Craft fair, the Country Living show so I do go out and about a bit!

What influences you and why?

That's a difficult thing to answer! All kinds of things influence me - the shape of things like pottery can inspire me. It doesn't have to be knitted! I then try to use that shape in my own way. Really - sometimes watching television I get ideas coming through or colours, and I draw influences from pop culture like Andy Warhol for instance. I like moving on and trying new things all the time - in fact I like to stamp my mark on it!

Penny Burdett was recently one of the stars of the Camden Fashion Show 'Significant Other'. This was a catwalk event held on a cool evening in September...
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To see more of Penny Burdetts designs visit her website:
www. pennyburdett.co.uk