Jumpers 1234 - ethical knitwear

Jumper 1234 started out as a women's knitwear brand but has recently branched out into menswear. I heard about them from a friend, Frances Walker, a talented menswear designer who has done some design work with the brand. They kindly sent me a cashmere jumper to try out.

The jumper is beautifully made of the softest cable knit cashmere/wool in a pale oatmeal colour. I've put a link at the end of this feature to the new menswear collection which contains a comprehensive and attractive collection of classic, more contemporary and sportswear cashmere and cashmere/woollens.

I spoke to founders, Jane Wilson and Denise Tavernier to find out more about the business and their products:

GF: Please introduce yourselves and your brand.

J1234: We are Jumper 1234, born of a 25 year friendship, a passion for knitwear in particular cashmere and a great big sprinkle of humour.

GF: Am I right in thinking that menswear is a recent development for you?

J1234: It is indeed! We dipped a toe in previously and then decided to go for it fully for this AW21, with some amazing new designs!

GF: Tell me about the products, design and the materials.

J1234: Our cashmere comes from a vast Mongolian countryside which, with our help when we buy their cashmere, supports the lives of the nomadic herdsmen of Mongolia and their families. Our pieces are not just the result of talented technologists, they are the workings of artisans who have years of experience knitting cashmere. 

Real craftsmanship goes into the making of every jumper, which is also, quite brilliantly, machine washable (the cashmere!). We wanted to create knitwear and clothing that has a playful edge, timeless design, that would wear effortlessly and last for a very long time.

GF: We are increasingly concerned about the ethics and sustainability of what we wear; what is the Jumper 1_2_3_4 approach to these issues?

J1234: By creating pieces you have to KEEP and love for life, (this is not fast fashion). Amazing quality cashmere and jersey, made in the best places. Recycled and biodegradable packaging, personally working closely with every part of the business and always looking at what we can improve, it’s a journey not a destination with this one!

GF: I notice that your women's products include some wonderful colours while the menswear is more monochrome - any plans for some more colour for us men?

J1234: Haha, not the first to say that! We are working on it!!

GF: How do you see the brand developing in future?

J1234: Short term - new website, hopefully build upon the menswear, new basics, a couple of fun collaborations pre-Xmas. Long term - get our EU and overseas markets back (Brexit!!)) and growing, nurture and build our community and make more great things.

For more information and to buy their men's cashmere/wool knitwear, go to Jumper 1234.