Kira Zander's Ilaria collection is an exploration of knitwear as a medium for innovative textile design, created as a love letter to her disabled sister, Ilaria. Each piece in the collection is inspired by the stones the sisters collected together, with Kira carefully studying their unique textures, colors, and forms. Through her designs, she captures not only the physical characteristics of these stones but also the love and care behind the act of collecting them, celebrating their differences.

Sustainability is a key element of Kira's project. Most of the pieces were knitted fully fashioned to minimize waste, while dead-stock leather was incorporated to create a contrasting element to the chunky knitwear. Just two days before the show, Kira used leftover yarn to weave a bag, ensuring zero waste and achieving a high level of finishing.

Through Ilaria, Kira Zander demonstrates that knitwear can be more than just garments—it is a storytelling medium that redefines beauty, connects to nature, and weaves together the shared experience of two sisters.

As Kira Zander explains, her Ilaria: The Language of Stones collection is a love letter to her disabled sister, Ilaria. "We have always been very close, spending hours walking the coastline in northern Germany, where we grew up, searching together for interesting stones. We love to study their shapes and colors, silently admiring these little pieces of treasure. It is our unspoken language of stones," Kira shares.

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