Greta VilligerKnitwear designer at Jonathan Saunders

"I like unfuckable things."

[Ed. Note: Greta Villiger is the head knitwear designer at Jonathan Saunders. She hails from New Zealand via Switzerland and currently lives in London.]

Photo by Stevie Dance

"I design ready-to-wear wovens and knits at Jonathan Saunders; I've worked there for nine months. Before that I worked for Claire Commeau, who is the accessories designer at Louis Vuitton. ... Working at Jonathan Saunders, I design for someone who is very put-together and who buys clothes seasonally. That's the Jonathan Saunders woman. I think about dresses with matching cardigans, twin sets, and clothes that are going to flatter your body if you're not tiny. All of those factors contribute to how I design. I'm thinking more objectively about what a woman wants, as opposed to what I want....

Personally, I know what I like. I like unfuckable things, like big shorts, pleated skirts, and old lady stuff. Those kinds of pieces become ironic and a bit silly on a younger girl. … I think clothes are a really powerful tool in terms of sexuality. That's why I like big shorts, big trousers, or dressing a little bit dowdy. Another thing I love about fashion is mixing different textures together–knitwear always provides that. It's not crazy patterns, but it's the construction of the knit that becomes the fabric.

When I go back to New Zealand now, I always want to wear my special things, but the lifestyle is not conducive to that. Even in a pair of satin shorts you feel overdressed, but that's what's so nice about it. When I grew up there, I literally only wore my school uniform or casual shorts and t-shirts. I still love all those things like jeans and boys' clothes." -- Greta Villiger to Shop Ghost

Greta Villiger photographed in London by Stevie Dance.

Photo by Stevie Dance

Greta's Tips

Style Icons

"At the moment, I like Princess Diana in the 1980s. Living in England, I always see pictures of the royals. I was looking at all these old pictures of her, she was so cool and so natural."
Vintage

"I collect Balenciaga knitwear and lots of vintage. Now I get to do vintage knitwear research for my job, which is my absolute favorite thing to do."
Legs!

"I have lots of leggings. I have pairs from American Apparel, some from Alaia, and some from Wolford, which I just made my sister buy because she's pregnant. High, tight leggings and a tight jumper–I love that look paired with vans or ballet flats. You have to have feet in that look. You have to show something."
Mom

"One thing I really miss about living near my mom is that we used to go to the beauty counter together and try all the products. That was really fun. That was part of a grooming ritual that came from my mom. She is quite conservative and classic. She wears knee-length skirts and cardigans, and all of a sudden I'm doing that. Maybe that's a sign!"