Delilah Eby transforms a pandemic hobby into a thriving knitwear business, now featured at Free People, showcasing whimsical designs and sustainable practices.
In a remarkable turn of events, Delilah Eby’s knitwear design brand, Delilah Designs, has gained significant recognition, now available for online purchase at Free People. Originally hailing from Charlotte, North Carolina, and New Jersey, Eby found her passion for knitting unexpectedly during the COVID-19 pandemic, transforming what was a spontaneous hobby into a thriving business.
Delilah Designs is characterized by its vintage-inspired aesthetic, offering whimsical, coquette sweaters that are both designed in New York City and hand-knit in Lima, Peru. Each piece embodies Eby’s artistic vision and commitment to ethical production practices.
In an interview with Teen Vogue, Eby shared her journey of how she stumbled into knitting. “I never went to school for design or anything like that, but I’ve always been someone who needs my hands on something creative—I’m a big arts and crafts girl, going through every hobby there is,” Eby said. She described how her exploration of YouTube tutorials sparked a deep appreciation for knitting, which she described as a “meditative practice” that offers the fulfillment of creating an entire garment from scratch.
Eby started Delilah Designs by creating an Instagram account to showcase her work and connect with other knitwear designers. “I ended up getting feedback from this small community that I had grown that people were interested in buying my designs,” she recounted. What began as an experiment with custom orders quickly evolved as demand grew, leading her to formalize her brand.
However, the journey wasn’t without challenges. Eby admitted a lack of business knowledge posed significant hurdles. “The first challenge was figuring out my brand identity and what I wanted my style to look like,” she explained. Learning the logistical aspects of running a business, including taxes and marketing, proved to be an extensive learning curve. Her background in public relations and advertising, alongside a business incubator program called Creative Entrepreneurs Initiative, significantly helped her navigate these challenges by providing crucial business skills and a grant to support the brand’s growth.
Eby’s design work is noted for its whimsical and playful characteristics, often serving as a direct expression of femininity. She elaborated on her creative process, stating, “I like to create a world surrounding each design.” Her recent collections were inspired by antique craft traditions, particularly 19th-century paper feeders, demonstrating her commitment to infusing artistry and history into her work. These inspirations are often complemented by her love for vintage elements, as reflected in her collection that incorporates imagery from vintage cameo brooches.
As Delilah Designs continues to evolve, Eby expresses excitement about future developments for her brand, fueled by her unique blend of creativity and dedication to sustainable practices.
Source: Noah Wire Services
