Marilyn Thomas graduated from Lowestoft College of Art and Design in 2005 with a BA honours degree in Design Craft, specialising in knitwear design. Since then the designer has channelled her passion and energies into creating and developing her knitwear company, Marilyn Thomas Contemporary Designs.

Choosing to work with asymmetric shapes and unusual forms, Marilyn subverts the traditional expectations of appearance informed by gender and age enabling her clients to express their individuality and uniqueness in their own personal way.

Marilyn’s exquisite combination of colours reflects her passion for vibrant, vivid tones, inspired by influences as diverse as the nomadic tribes of Nepal and traditional English cottage garden flowers. Yet there is nothing garish or jarring about her chosen palette due to Marilyn’s instinctive understanding of how colours work together.

Working with pure wool and cotton yarns, Marilyn carefully sources materials from traditional, respected, British mills, such as Rowan and Jamieson’s. Her chosen fibres contribute to the muted, slightly weathered appearance which Marilyn favours. This aged look is further enhanced by the felting process, applied to many pieces, resulting in a soft, highly tactile finish.

The local community is important to Marilyn as a member of WIRE. Through her design company, Marilyn employs a number of local hand and machine knitters who share her passion for textiles and design. Her dedication to paying craftswomen a fair price and a shared love of knitting contributes to a mutually respectful working relationship, resulting in a beautifully realised and finished product.