Bronwyn Lowenthal

Colour, texture, pattern – why choose one, when you can have them all? At Anthropologie, we’ve always believed that whatever brings you joy deserves a place in your wardrobe and home – no matter how ‘out there’ or eye-catching. This is a sentiment shared with Bronwyn Lowenthal, founder of knitwear label, Miss Pompom.

The bold-as-can-be brand is turning what many see as a traditional craft truly on its head. Inspired by the Memphis design scene, they create a refreshingly youthful take on cold-weather cosies, featuring paintbox brights and geometric prints. Lowie – Bronwyn’s first label – is interestingly, rather different. Something she cites as intentional.

“Lowie’s on the luxury side of the scale with high-end yarns and classical styling. I love traditional knitwear but I’m a child of the eighties, so I also craved colour. Miss Pompom was brought to life in 2013 and was a natural progression of that, mixing vivid knits with affordability.”

And it’s safe to say, Bronwyn has had a rather colourful life. Before making a home for herself in bustling South London, she grew up on the Australian island of Tasmania, halfway around the world and surrounded by nature’s splendour. Like any teen, she tells us she took it for granted, longing to experience the excitement that came with Sydney’s bright lights.

“My Dad used to drag us on bush walks through virgin wilderness, which lost its appeal by the time I went to high school. If I look at it now, it’s a utopia of eco living,” she says. A haven that’s often found its way to the heart of her creations. Miss Pompom’s very first collection was inspired by protected creatures like the Hammerhead Shark and Hawksbill Turtle, and money from each purchase was donated to the Save the Sea campaign.

“I absolutely love the colours and the shapes of the Great Barrier Reef. It’s particularly vulnerable from an ecological point of view so I wanted to explore this through our designs.”

You see, fashion is visual for Bronwyn, but it’s also a way to story tell. Whatever she’s creating – patterns, themes, fabrics – there’s a piece of her in every step. The biggest piece? Her adoration for the world and her strive to act sustainably.

“My parents were very green and they taught me to look after the planet from a young age. The Tasmanian wilderness was all around me and there was a lot of green thinking while I was growing up. The state government tried to dam World Heritage-listed rivers for power generation and there was a big movement to stop this. From that point I have always been very passionate about the environment.”

From working with certified organic cotton to selling in carefully selected boutiques, there’s a consciousness behind this knitwear brand that speaks to its forward-thinking fans. “I can’t imagine another way to do it. There is no planet B so each and every one of us needs to do all we can to protect our world.”

So, when did a career in design begin? At the tender age of twelve, as it happens. Bronwyn was making her own clothing and selling it at local market stalls (quite the feat for someone still in school). By the time she was fifteen, she was sure it was fashion she was destined to pursue. “I’ve gone through a few iterations throughout the years, including working in retail, journalism and marketing, but I always knew fashion was the career for me.”

Fast-forward to now and her passion for design and detail hasn’t faltered. “We love using our double-sided knitting machines because this way you essentially get two scarves in one, with a completely different look on the back. These machines are special because they make the knit really thick and soft.”

And how would you describe your style, we ask her. “It’s not for wallflowers!” she exclaims. And that’s why we love it so much.