Introducing our latest member, Genevieve Sweeney

Established in 2015, Genevieve Sweeney is a British knitwear brand bringing together heritage craftsmanship and modern design – and an alumnus of our Brands of Tomorrow mentorship programme. Made entirely in the UK using natural fibres and family-run mills, the brand champions traditional skills through its Hertfordshire micro-factory and growing apprenticeship programme, while creating contemporary knitwear rooted in British craftsmanship.

Learn a little more about our latest member in our interview with Genevieve Sweeney, founder of the British knitwear brand championing heritage craftsmanship.

Walpole: Tell us about the history of your brand… 

Genevieve Sweeney: The story of Genevieve Sweeney began long before the brand officially launched. While working in the global fashion industry, I saw first-hand the fast pace of production and the shift away from UK manufacturing. I loved seeing the processes and craftsmanship: in my spare time, I travelled to mills across the UK and began restoring vintage Dubied knitting machines for my own studio. I was buying these machines from former knitters whose livelihoods disappeared as production moved overseas in 1980s. 

Spending time with them brought everything into focus. Here were incredibly skilled artisans with no outlet for their craft, while the industry moved towards mass production and increasing environmental impact. They weren’t just selling their tools but a lifetime of skill, passion, pride and community. In 2015, I launched Genevieve Sweeney with a clear purpose: to ensure these heritage skills continue, because crafts can’t skip a generation. 

What is your brand best known for? 

Genevieve Sweeney is known for championing British knitwear, bringing together modern design and heritage craft through colour and texture. Made entirely in the UK using natural fibres and small, family-run mills, a distinct handwriting runs throughout the brand, from signature marl yarns to considered details. All of this creates knitwear that feels personal, expressive and effortless to wear. Across womenswear, menswear and accessories (including our much-loved socks), each piece is designed to become part of everyday life. 

What has been a significant achievement in your company’s timeline? 

This past year has been a defining milestone. In April 2025, we established our knitwear micro-factory in Hertfordshire, bringing 30% of our production in-house. Shortly after, we welcomed our first apprentice, training in traditional construction and finishing techniques. 

Being able to design, knit and hand-link pieces under one roof has transformed how we work. It’s a pivotal step in not only preserving these skills, but actively practising and passing them on within a contemporary luxury context. 

Why do you love the brand? 

From the artisans who knit each piece, to the team who bring it together and the customers who wear and champion it, there is a real sense of connection. Knowing something we’ve created becomes part of someone’s everyday life, bringing comfort or confidence, never loses its magic. It’s a brand built on purpose, and I’m incredibly proud to champion British knitwear and the makers behind it. 

Why does your brand represent the very best in British luxury? 

For me, British luxury is rooted in integrity, craftsmanship and connection. At Genevieve Sweeney, we bring together heritage skills with a modern perspective, telling the stories, ensuring traditional techniques continue to evolve rather than disappear. Every piece is made in Britain in small batches, with a deep respect for materials and making. It’s about creating something enduring in quality, in story, and in meaning. 

What attracted you to becoming a Walpole member? 

Being recognised as part of Walpole’s Brands of Tomorrow in 2025 was an incredible honour. It offered the opportunity to connect with like-minded founders, share experiences, and learn from both industry leaders and peers. Experiences such as the British Luxury Trade Mission to New York were invaluable in opening conversations around manufacturing, apprenticeships and global growth. To now be part of the wider Walpole community is incredibly inspiring and aligns closely with our commitment to championing British luxury on a global stage. 

If you could collaborate with another Walpole member, which one would you choose? 

I would love to collaborate with Belmond. Their slow journeys through landscapes such as Wales and the Lake District feel deeply aligned with our connection to place and craft. I imagine designing pieces for those moments (walking socks for hiking routes, oversized scarves for after wild swims) all inspired by the scenery and rooted in British making. 

Tell us about an exciting development or new launch for your brand in the coming months? 

An exciting chapter is the continued growth of our micro-factory and the collections being created within it. Our latest designs, the Ver Lace Knitwear Collection, is the first to be fully knitted in-house, exploring lightweight structures inspired by ‘missing stitch’, where absence creates form. We are now preparing to launch the Autumn/Winter collection, which truly celebrates, heritage, modernity and craftsmanship. 

Alongside this, we are expanding our apprenticeship programme as our production grows, continuing to invest in the next generation. It’s a moment where design, craft and purpose are coming together more closely than ever before. Everyday I am so excited to see the brand grow.  

genevievesweeney.com