Why We Call It the Nordic
By Susi Proudman, Founder
Long before the patterned sweater became a fashion staple, knitwear was an essential part of life across the Nordic region.
In Norway, knitting dates back centuries and became increasingly widespread during the 1800s. Different regions developed their own recognizable patterns and techniques, and geometric motifs, contrasting yarns and intricate colorwork became the signatures of Norwegian knitwear.
But for me, the Nordic has a more personal story.
I grew up in the UK, but my best friend was Norwegian, and I was lucky enough to spend many wonderful ski holidays in Norway with her and her family. I fell in love with the landscape, the culture and, of course, the beautiful knitwear that seemed so naturally at home there.
When we designed this sweater, I wanted it to feel like a small homage to her heritage and to those memories. Not a reproduction of a traditional Norwegian sweater, but our own interpretation of that wonderfully recognizable knitting tradition.
The graphic pattern around the yoke references traditional Scandinavian colorwork, while the clean black-and-ivory palette and refined silhouette make it distinctly Williams.
Why these fibers?
We didn't choose the yarn simply for how it looked. Each fiber has a job to do.
Merino wool, 50%. At the heart of the blend, chosen for its exceptional natural performance. It regulates body temperature, keeping you warm in the cold without feeling heavy or overheated. It's breathable, manages moisture and is naturally odor resistant: exactly what we look for at Williams, beautiful clothing that still has to perform.
Alpaca, 20%. Alpaca brings softness, warmth and that elevated, luxurious hand feel. Its fine fibers insulate beautifully without a heavy, bulky knit, which is how we achieved the lightweight warmth we wanted.
Recycled nylon, 30%. Natural fibers can be delicate, so nylon reinforces the yarn, improves durability and helps the sweater hold its shape. That matters in a piece designed to be worn, not saved for special occasions. Choosing recycled nylon gives us that benefit while reducing our reliance on virgin synthetic fiber.Then we knit it with linked seams, the mark of a true sweater knit, giving the Nordic the beautifully finished construction a great sweater deserves.
The result is a blend where luxury and performance aren't competing with each other.
Because at Williams, even the fibers have a reason for being there.
For me, the Nordic brings together heritage, memory and modern performance: a traditional idea, reinterpreted through the Williams lens. And the best part, every time I wear it, I feel like my best friend is right there next to me.
