A preview of Country Escape - the first adult MillaMia collection

We've been asked countless times over these three years when MillaMia are going to design a collection for adults, and we are delighted to announce that the first instalment is now ready!

We're both excited and nervous because it's something of a diversion from the babies and children's knits that we've become so well known for, but we hope that people who have loved our designs for kids will also find that they love the adult patterns too. We have three collections for adults that will be available over the next 10 months, but we are launching with Country Escape as we felt this was ideal for the autumn/winter season here in the Northern hemisphere. There will be 7 patterns in the book in total, using our Naturally Soft Merino Yarn in a warm, muted, autumnal palette.

The book is not yet available - it will be ready from the 27th of November, but we thought that as a taster you might enjoy a sneak preview and some behind the scenes photos from the photo shoot. Max who was with us on the day provides her perspective of being part of the shoot below and setting up our cover photo above.

(posted by Katarina and Helena)

Behind the scenes at the photoshoot

This amazing photo was taken in the beautiful grounds of Cannizaro House in Wimbledon on a slightly breezy day back in September. It wasn't as warm as it could have been, but at least the rain held off which was incredibly lucky as the shoot took the entire day - all outside!

Cannizaro House

This was the first 'fashion shoot' I'd ever been too, and I guess what struck me was the level of organisation and manpower it took to create a few beautiful photographs. When models tell you that their job entails a lot of sitting or standing around, isn't remotely glamorous and is in fact, hard work - you may question it! But in reality they are required to look beautiful, pose to exact requirements and turn on something extra special for the thousand of shots a photographer will take to capture 'the one'. I have a newly found respect and admiration for these beautiful people - and not just for their perfect complexions!

The day started with 4 hairdressers and  3 make up artists preparing
our models in a room we hired at Canizzaro House.

The models and make up artists help us 
to carry the props to the location

To create this group shot for the cover of Country Escape we wanted a really sumptuous rich, styled country look that captured the essence of the book. Our photographer Emma and Helena had already visited the park to ascertain some suitable locations for posing the shot, but until you are there on the day you never know if it will work or not. Katarina had also spent a lot of time sourcing props (hiring, borrowing and buying from ebay!) to complete the look. Blankets, trunks, umbrellas, gloves, chairs....

Helena and Nick (our stylist) help to arrange the models - there are lots of people watching behind the scenes too.

Country Escape is the first in a trilogy of adult garments and accessories knitted in our Naturally Soft Merino, featuring 7 patterns for garments and accessories for women and one for men. The next two - Colour Coded and High Society are due to be released in 2013. Each book has a distinct look and style whilst being unified by our signature MillaMia modern aesthetic.

Some of the models taking a well earned rest

We have a few more photos from Country Escape to share with you over the next couple of weeks, and we'll be releasing some sneaky previews of our other two books early next year. Keep checking back here - you'll be the first to see them!

(posted by Max)