Continuum Black Silk Engineered Knit Gown

A sculptural black silk gown created through engineered knit construction, designed and made in England by Alina Stanila.
Developed three-dimensionally on the mannequin rather than from a conventional paper pattern, the gown is constructed from approximately 12 individually engineered knitted panels. Each section is produced on a domestic knitting machine before being assembled and finished by hand.
Traditional silk yarn is combined with monofilament techniques to create contrasts between structure, transparency and negative space. Blush-pink viscose piping follows the engineered construction lines across the bodice, waist and hips, revealing the architecture of the garment.
The close-fitting upper silhouette gradually develops into a dramatic tiered lower skirt, where individually constructed sections create movement, depth and a semi-transparent layered effect.
The silk is dyed black after construction, producing subtle tonal variation throughout the knitted surface.
Because the garment is engineered to shape rather than cut from lengths of cloth, the construction produces zero cutting waste.
Approximately 12 individually engineered panels.
Domestic machine knitted.
Assembled and finished by hand.
Hand dyed after construction.
Designed by Alina Stanila.
Made in England.

Continuum explores the relationship between textile engineering, body contour and movement. Rather than beginning with a conventional paper pattern, the garment is developed three-dimensionally on the mannequin, allowing the knitted structure itself to determine the silhouette.
Approximately 12 individually engineered panels are created on a domestic knitting machine before being assembled and finished by hand. Curved contrast piping maps the construction across the body, while the lower gown develops into a sequence of tiered knitted sections that introduce movement, transparency and volume.
The textile and garment are developed together as one process, eliminating the need to cut a traditional pattern from lengths of fabric and producing zero cutting waste.

Sculpted, close-fitting silhouette through the bodice, waist and hips, opening into a dramatic tiered floor-length hem. The engineered knitted construction follows the contours of the body while the lower sections introduce movement and volume.
The knitted structure provides a degree of natural flexibility, although this is a fitted archival design. Please refer to the garment measurements before ordering. For assistance with sizing or fit, contact us before purchase.

Main yarn: 100% silk.
Contrast detail: blush-pink viscose piping.
Engineered knit construction incorporating monofilament.
Hand dyed black after construction.
Finished by hand in England.

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One available. An original Alina Stanila archive piece, individually engineered, knitted and hand finished in England. The gown is constructed from approximately 12 individually developed knitted panels and requires several weeks of specialist production and finishing.