VSOP 4 - A WOOLLY LUXURY

A Cardigan, that dull, sensible and essentially unsexy garment so long a wardrobe staple of the English man and woman, a luxury item ? Well, this one is, to be knitted by hand in the finest of wool from a special flock of happy sheep in Yorkshire.  You can’t get more exclusive than that.

Lord Cardigan, who led the Charge of the Light Brigade,  is credited with inventing the cardigan, circa 1854. He wanted a warm garment that he did not have to pull on over his coiffure, and came up with a woollen, buttoned and collarless jacket. On his return to England, he was greeted as a hero and his new jacket, named a Cardigan in his honour, was being copied and sold by drapers and tailors up and down the country.

The handknitted luxury version that we have chosen comes from the knitwear firm of Izzy Lane.  This is run by Isobel Davies, a former member of the indie music band, Edith Strategy, who gave up the music world in favour of organic farming and sheep rescuing.

She rescues old, lame, ‘blemished’ and other sheep due for slaughter and from a start of just four lambs in 2003, now has some 500 Wensleydales and also some Shetlands at her farm in North Yorkshire. She maintains that “the big, gentle Wensleydales produce the finest long wool in the world” and that Shetland wool is so fine it can be spun as thin as a strand of silk.

An army of home knitters across the surrounding countryside knit up the wool that Isobel has spun and dyed from her sheep, one of the sweaters shown above. Price tag for this is £225.

Her very first cardigan for men is currently being knitted, in Wensleydale wool, a generously sized, shawl-collared design, and another double breasted style is also underway. From date of ordering, they will take around 4 weeks to complete. Price for each is £295.

To see other items in this collection and further information on the sheep that have found such a wonderful home go to www.izzylane.co.uk. The cardigans are not online yet but anyone eager to order should make enquiries at 01748 821116.

CAMERA LEGEND FOR REAL PHOTOGRAPHERS

The real photographer wants a real camera and they don't come more real than the Leica, the latest in digital form.

This legendary camera, used by all the top photographers since its launch in 1925, and responsible for some of the most famous shots (now works of art - see Culture page), will not only be a treat but an investment as well for anyone who is seriously interest in photography.

The latest model, left, is the M8. This is a digital camera of compact dimensions yet with all the precision features associated with the brand.

It comes in black or silver chrome and is available from Leica stockists across the UK. Price £3,390.