Michele m Walden

Michi Designer Knitwear

Michele M. Walden brings chic to the term “knitwear.” Through her Michi knitwear designs, Walden creates sophisticated knits that are also easy to wear and easy to wash. With off-the-shoulder designs and hip-hugging evening attire, or loose and breezy, summer afternoon wear, Michi knitwear makes a unique statement for all women - tall, short, large, small and in between. Walden custom designs and fits the piece for her client, and does not call the outfit complete until the customer is satisfied. A Queens, NY native, Walden has been knitting about 22 years. Initially hand knitting all her designs, Walden’s fashion statements have included jumpsuits, bathing suits, dresses, suits, two-piece outfits, sweaters and scarves. Since completing courses at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), Walden currently utilizes the knitting machine to create feminine and sensual wearable art pieces. These include what is quick becoming her trademark: knitwear adorned with cowrie shells. Each of her pieces, whether completed by hand or on the machine, is either a one-of-a-kind or a limited-edition creation. She uses carefully selected yarns that vary from silks to mohair, wool to linen, and run the gamut of colors from bright orange to muted tans to fiery red.
In the years that Walden has been designing Michi knitwear, she has participated in a number of competitions, fashion shows and grant programs from New York City to Boston to San Diego. Three times she was honored by the Caribbean-focused Class Magazine, winning their “Designer of the Year” award in Boston in 1985 New York. In 1986, Walden received a grant from the Technical Assistance Program for Artists (TAPS), a Boston-based artist foundation that enabled her to do a professional photo shoot of her pieces giving her a library of professional slides of her work to use in marketing her designs. In 1997, Walden was featured in New York Newsday’s Styles File section in an article titled “The New Knitters.” In 1998, Walden won 3rd place in the arts and crafts show held in Atlantic City in association with the Miss America contest. In 2000 and 2002, Walden received 2nd place in the Pennsylvania National Quilter’s Extravaganza’s Wearable Art Competition and Honorable Mention respectfully. In 2001 and 2002 she was featured in the premier issue of Pose Magazine, a new periodical out of Washington, D.C., and the African Magazine, NYC, respectfully. She is currently featured in the Fall issue of Braids and Beauty. Walden also showcases her creations in numerous fashion programs and photo shoots.