Ben Sumpter is a recently graduated knitwear designer leaving the Central Saint Martins Fashion Design with Knitwear BA course in 2019. Originally from Brighton, and now working in London, he has started a creative freelance knit design and consultancy company with his peer Louise Watteau: www.watteausumpterknits.com

His graduate collection came from looking back at his mother's work as an artist and her creative journey but also how he came into that journey as a child. Through incorporating some of her previous works, he was continuing and pushing forward this body of work. Combining these with found forgotten materials from his late Grandad's shed has created this multigenerational collaboration between father, daughter and grandson. 

Using these rusted metal pieces and found materials within his knits also fits within his concept of sustainability throughout the collection. Using only British wool, natural yarns, old used linen table cloths, Tencel, deadstock Lycra, recycled polyamide yarns and found materials which he then dyed naturally, limiting the negative environmental impact of his collection. This also links back to his concept and the idea of traces, inheritance and what is left behind.

Ben views sustainability at the forefront of his design process and his knowledge of sustainable materials and practices is an additional element that he draw upon when working with clients.