Define the KLEE Experience

KLEE  - a brand of machine knitted streetwear that incorporates fully fashioned locally designed and produced garments.

KLEE stands for Kathryn Lee, my first and middle name.

The KLEE Mission: "To Change the identity of knitwear."

The Process:

• The Design process begins with sourcing suitable yarn, experimenting with the yarn on the various knitting machines until a fabric detail was developed.
• A collection of garments are designed utilising the fabric detail in various ways.
• I make the first samples with strict quality control.
• I photograph models showcasing each style and organise external advertising through Studio Magazine
• Catalogues and order forms are printed  
• Appointments with leading edge retailers are scheduled across the country 
• Travel and sales takes place
• Return to Newcastle, brief the small team of machine knitters and begin production. 

As a young sole trader I utilised many skills to design, market, sell, produce and deliver KLEE to retailers. Two collections are produced each year.

The photographs are a selection of styles across a number of collections produced between 1994-1998