How It All Started.......

The Sue Hill  brand was established in 2004 when Sue gave up her managerial position with an international publishing and exhibition company to have her son Jack.

Sue, taught by her mother, Valerie, at the age of ten, had always knitted for children, mainly for birthday and Christmas presents.So mother and  daughter made up some patterns of their own and started knitting designs using the best yarn they could find. 

   As their hand knits became known, they were asked more and more for softer yarns, cashmere with cotton or wool and then pure cashmere. At the same time, one of Sue’s most trusted knitters lent her some of her patterns that she had knitted for her children. Sue fell in love with the beautiful vintage designs, mainly from the ‘50s and started concentrating on adapting these designs to use with modern yarns.

 As Sue took on more  knitters, more vintage patterns came to light in attics and dusty boxes, some dating as far back as 1935! Now the range includes designs adapted from the ‘30s, ‘40s, ‘50s and ‘60s.

 Different ideas came to fruition such as her unique buttons – hand covered in the same knitted yarn as the garment, hand embroidered daisies and roses, soldiers etc. All of these making Sue Hill designs so different and unique.

 The yarns used are the finest available – pure  cashmere and cashmere/cotton blends by the  famous Italian company Loro Piana and blends of cashmere and fine merino all spun, twisted and dyed to Sue’s specification in Italy.

When a garment is completely finished and ready for sale, Sue attaches a Signature tag showing the knitter’s name, proving its uniqueness. It is then packaged in a lilac Signature gift box and finished with white grosgrain ribbon.

 Sue is best known for her vintage cashmere baby knits which  include baby dresses, matinee jackets, pram coats, bonnets, booties  etc but in 2010 she added a fabric clothing collection, handmade in Liberty print fabric blending with 100% cottons, wools and other luxury fabrics. 

 The same principles apply to her Liberty print and luxury fabric  collection – everything is made locally and individually. Naomi, Sue’s talented pattern maker works with Sue to produce the designs and their highly skilled seamstresses make up the unique designs that combine with the hand knitted range.

Just like the hand knits, each garment has a tag attached showing the name of the seamstress who made it.

Because of both Sue and Naomi’s pattern making skills, the company is able to make up designs from any customers ideas. The bespoke service offered is quite unique, offering a combination of handmade skills.

High profile names associated with Sue’s handmade clothing include Prime Minister David and Samantha Cameron, Stella McCartney, Gerri Halliwell (Spice Girl), Charlotte Church, Davina McCall, Sting and Trudi Styler (bespoke gifts for Madonna, HRH Prince Charles, Elton John), Tamara Beckwith, Plum Sykes, Sophie and Jamie Cullum, Claudia Winkelman, Amanda Holden, Robbie Williams and Adele among others

Everything about Sue’s garments is British made – Sue’s knitters and seamstresses are based all over the UK and in regular telephone contact to discuss patterns, yarns, fabrics etc. All the labels, buttons and hand embroidery is done in-house by Sue and her very able assistants. 

Sue’s collections can be found in the best stores including Bergdorf Goodman, New York, Fortnum & Mason, London, Ma Mere, Tokyo and independent stores in Paris London and other UK towns and cities.