The Story Behind Our Organic Cotton Archive
Some designs are simply too special to be left behind. Discover the inspiration, craftsmanship and timeless designs behind our Organic Cotton Archive.
Since 1988.
Our founders James and Michelle travelled through South America after teaching English in Brazil. While exploring Bolivia, Peru, and Ecuador, they were drawn to the hand knits made by local craftspeople and the care and character woven into every piece.
They returned home with backpacks full of hand knitted jumpers and sold them at the Christmas market at St Martin in the Fields. The response was immediate. With the help of Miquel, an American living in Ecuador, they began working directly with the knitters to make more.
From these early connections, Amano was formed, rooted in trust, craftsmanship, and knitwear made to last.
Meeting Yumiko
In La Paz, James met Yumiko, a Japanese artist living in Bolivia with her husband Toshy. She became a key creative force within Amano, shaping many of the designs that remain central to the brand today.
How we grew
As Amano grew, we continued selling handmade knitwear at Portobello Road and Camden, while also trading in Paris, Milan, and New York. Over time, the collections found homes in stores including Selfridges, Liberty London, Neiman Marcus, Barneys, and Isetan.
Along the way, Amano knitwear has been worn by a wide range of people, from musicians and actors to those who discovered the brand by chance. Jamiroquai once credited Amano on an album, thanking us for always keeping them warm.
Adapting
Amano has gone through many changes. Like any small, independent brand, there have been moments of uncertainty and challenge, and times when continuing has not been easy. The landscape has shifted, costs have risen, and working slowly and by hand has often felt at odds with the pace of the industry.
What has kept Amano going is a belief in the value of what we make and the relationships behind it. A commitment to craft, to the people who knit our garments, and to making clothes with care and integrity. We have continued not because it is simple, but because it feels worth protecting.
Today
Today, Amano remains rooted in those early values, shaped by experience and resilience, and guided by the same belief that knitwear made with intention can still have a place in the world.
Our Future
We are proud to say that we still work with the same Ecuadorian knitters to create our new collections. We continue to provide them with consistent work, enabling them to support their local community and preserve their cultural heritage.
Our past inspires us, but always looking forward to the future, constantly innovating and becoming more ethical when we can. How are we becoming more ethical, you ask?
- We now dye our unspun yarn sourced from Peru in small batches to reduce waste
- We only work with low-impact dyes to further minimise our impact on the planet.
We are so lucky to still maintain the same customers we had 40 years ago, but we warmly welcome new customers!
Whether you have loved Amano forever, have a piece of amano knitwear passed down to you, or you want to start your collection, welcome!
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