Craftsmanship
Since 1976, IRIS VON ARNIM has been synonymous with timeless cashmere and knitwear collections of the highest quality, crafted with a passion for distinctive details. The Hamburg-based luxury brand unites artisanal craftsmanship, Hanseatic understatement, and enduring quality in every design.Iconic styles, created to endure beyond seasons, destined to become lifelong favourites.
IRIS VON ARNIM represents understated elegance and craftsmanship.Inspired by the evolving aesthetics of contemporary life, each piece embodies effortless sophistication and is designed to be cherished and worn for life.
At the heart of the brand is the ‘Forever Sweater’ philosophy – a commitment to creating knitwear that transcends trends, offering comfort, confidence, and a sense of refined ease to every wardrobe.
Heritage meets craftsmanship: the making of timeless knitwear
The design process at IRIS VON ARNIM is characterised by close collaboration. Everything begins with a creative idea from the design team. Again and again, Iris and her team draw inspiration from the rich archive, building on the brand’s heritage while carrying forward its core expertise.
In the initial phase, various yarns and knitting techniques are tested to explore how different materials influence the structure and appearance of the knitwear. Each swatch is refined and perfected until it attains the highest standards.
Once the final selection is made, the first pieces are created with meticulous craftsmanship – knitted by experienced artisans who skilfully combine form, technique and finish.
"My passion lies in experimenting with yarns, colours, and knitting techniques. I want to create something new, something truly unique." - Iris von Arnim
Our Craft – An Art
The collections are produced in family-run workshops in Italy, China, and Poland – in collaboration with long-standing partners who have perfected the art of knitting and who share our values and commitment to quality and craftsmanship.
Our cashmere is sourced from Inner Mongolia and spun into premium-quality yarn in Italy or China. From the gentle harvesting of the cashmere to the knitting production, we place great importance on appreciation, loyalty, and trust.
Our Manufactories: Italy
For decades, IRIS VON ARNIM has relied on trusted partnerships with Italian producers and on uncompromising quality. Working with cashmere requires true artistry – and Italy holds exceptional expertise in this field. Around 75 percent of the yarn used in the collections is sourced from Italy.
Production partners are chosen based on their specific expertise. IRIS VON ARNIM has been collaborating with its main producers – three family-run businesses in the regions of Veneto and Marche – for several decades.
The family business in Veneto has been the brand’s key partner for 20 years and is the most important main producer. Among other things, it produces the house’s signature cardigan knit and the distinctive stonewashed cashmere.
In the Marche region, fine-knit styles are produced in family-run manufactories.
"We collaborate with people who value the craft itself more than the hours it demands." - Valentin von Arnim
Our Manufactories: China
China has been one of the most important centres of cashmere craftsmanship for centuries. Today, it combines that deep-rooted tradition with advanced manufacturing technology at the highest level. For IRIS VON ARNIM, partnering with selected producers in China is a conscious decision – one based on shared values of precision, quality, and sustainability.
As in Italy, IRIS VON ARNIM has also been partnering with family-run businesses in China for decades.
China holds remarkable expertise in refined techniques such as precise handcrafting, the processing of intarsia, and the distinctive double-faced knit, which has been integral to the collections for many years.
Our Manufactories: Poland
Handknit is at the heart of IRIS VON ARNIM’s collections.
In Poland, this craftsmanship has a deep-rooted tradition. Together with local hand knitters, the highlights of the collections have been meticulously created for many years.
Through the art of hand knitting, each piece becomes unique. Subtle variations in size or pattern emphasize this unique character. Every hand-knitted design carries its own individuality – its own emotion.