New label from Ireland: UPA

We first discovered UPA through Bubble London. Their beautiful delicate knitwear really captures your attention in the most subtle of ways. The AW16 collection is carefully and painstakingly hand knitted and the result is really something quite special. Their thoughtful attention to detail and presentation provides the collection with a strong sense of quality – each unique item is accompanied by a ceramic branded hanger and protector case.

UPA was founded in the end of 2015 in Ireland by Lithuanian mother of three Vaida Rasciute. The idea was born with the birth of her daughter Liepa.

“My mother started knitting her beautiful dresses. Then it all started. It took a long time before I actually came to the stage of launching a kidswear brand. I believe I got my creativity from my parents too. It is not an unusual thing for Lithuanian girl to know how to knit, crochet, sew, stitch, craft. My aim was to create something more than just clothing, I wanted it to be experience for people, I wanted it to become a community of people taking life ‘slow’. Everything is happening so fast nowadays: fast fashion, fast food. UPA is an invitation to stop.”

“Our AW1/17 collection is handknitted. And SS17 Collection is linen and silk, includes embroidery, silk painting and is plant dyed by hand. We take time in creating, making and we do pay extreme attention on presentation.”

This is a collection designed to be cherished and passed down to the next generation, although Vaida is not precious about her creations. She believes kids are kids, that they should explore, be curious and adventurous. To this designer it’s not a crime to pass down a beautiful piece of clothing even if there’s a stain or two, it only adds to the story.