Lagelle knit accessories evoke whimsy, classic sophistication

For two year, Tahisha Crawford has been knitting dainty scarves, girly headwear and mod pins as she builds her fledgling Lagelle label. She never expected a simple scarf-knitting project to turn into a passion and a business.

“After I completed the scarf and wore it, I received lots of compliments,” says the Brooklyn native. So she decided to design accessories rather than apparel “because every fashionista desires to express their creativity and individuality through accessorizing.”

Lagelle designs are soft, feminine, and colorfully captivating. They’re in tune with the current trend toward homespun knits, yet timeless in their design and feel.

Fashion wasn’t foremost in Crawford’s mind as a child attending Catholic school, but her mother’s style was a strong influence. Crawford’s love of fashion and sense of style had grown so much by high school that classmates voted her “best dressed” their senior year.

She’s a lover of accessories - especially Marni shoes and Foley & Corinna bags - and saw Lagelle as a way to combine that with her fashion marketing education.

“I’ve always wanted to be in business for myself, and knitting has provided the outlet for my dream,” she says. “It’s an exciting time in my life to be an entrepreneur and designing my own line.”

Lagelle designer Tahisha Crawford wears one of her knit scarves

Lagelle is a variation on her mother’s maiden name, Laguer. Crawford describes the Lagelle customer as “a woman who possesses a free spirit, enjoys a little bit of whimsy and appreciates classic sophistication.”

Pieces in the line range from $35 to $175 at Flirt Boutique Park Slope in Brooklyn and online at www.lagelle.com. The site also offers a small but interesting selection of vintage and eclectic footwear, bags, apparel and housewares.

Crawford is talking with boutique owners in Pittsburgh, Colorado and New York City about carrying the Lagelle line, and a goal is to have it sold in Anthropologie stores.