…………………..”ITALIAN KNITS”……….there simply are none better!…..For the twenty plus years I worked in Italy developing knitwear for Anne Klein I met some of the most marvelous people…..There are countless numbers of yarn suppliers and knit manufactures all over Italy…..The first week of my stay in Florence, Italy appointments were made to see many yarn companies to review their collections. They would come to the office of Ciampini/Pestelli where I worked with Giovanna. She and her husband Marcello owned the company. After I made my selection, and yarns to make samples were ordered it was time to design the sweater for each yarn……The second week was calling in the different manufactures and giving them the sketches and spec sheets I developed…..Sometimes Giovanna and I would go directly to the factories which was always great fun and an incredible learning experience……At the factories we would see knit swatches for the sketches that were already sent to them…..Every detail was discussed, and then it was time for them to do their work. When the sweaters were finished they were sent to my office in NYC for my review. Sometimes corrections needed to be made and new samples were submitted…..The photos are an example of one of the groups I designed for my AK Resort 1991 collection……Each sweater was trimmed in tiny brass golden beads….all hand sewn……They were a huge success!…….Years later I did another group of sweaters using the same detail for my Linea collection for QVC………They were a huge success too…..and reordered many times……I miss those days of designing in Italy….traveling the country with Giovanna, and working with wonderful people!…..I still speak with Giovanna often!….We are FAMILY!!