Photography: Jason Hawke
Model: Tess Barnhart
Direction Olivia Gianettino
Special thanks to The Grind in Morgantown, WV
Heather Marshall has transformed her passion for fiber art into wearable masterpieces by putting a contemporary spin on a forgotten practice through her brand, Dopeface. Her designs are created using vintage flatbed knitting machines, an industrial, at-home device the size of a piano keyboard that was most popular in the 1960s and ‘70s. The machines use patterns clipped onto punch cards that are then inserted into the machine and reproduced with yarn. This allows Heather the freedom to craft intricate patterns with an industry-level edge. She fell in love with this method for that reason.
“As a fiber artist before this, I did a lot of weaving which I loved, but I never felt like I could really get my style depicted with a loom. It just didn’t quite feel like me.” Heather said. “The knitting machine having the punch card means anything you can come up with can be turned into a piece of fabric. There’s endless possibilities for creativity.”
Heather embraces that boundless creativity with a swath of playful patterns. From peace signs and stars to yin-yangs, skateboarders and Superman icons — Dopeface patterns are an elevated celebration of childhood motifs nearly as vast as her product range.
A California desert transplant, a number of years ago Heather moved to Parkersburg, WV and quickly ramped up production to include a wider range of knitwear apt for changing seasons. Heather diversified her sun-centric array of hair accessories and knit bikinis to also include a variety of cozy pillows, cardigans, gaiters, scarves and beanies for chilly days in the mountains.
From outsourced yarn to her recycled packaging and labels, Heather scrutinized her process to ensure all of her work is zero-waste and sustainably made.
“I want them [consumers] to get something that’s going to last a lifetime if it’s properly cared for,” Heather explained. “Especially with trends moving so fast! I’m trying to balance being timeless, but also still playing with the trends and being sustainable.”
Keep up with Dopeface’s next knit drop online @dopefaceknits
