
Photos courtesy of Camira
For more than two decades, Camira’s knit division has been responsible for producing technical fabrics for leading manufacturers in a range of sectors, from automotive to furniture. The U.K.-based textile company is highlighting this advanced technological capability with a new name, logo, and look as part of a complete brand refresh.
The launch of the brand, Camira Knit, comes at a time when knits are in high demand. “We wanted to rebrand to really put out there the benefits of knits and what we can do. Knits are very popular now. We’ve seen it in the fashion industry, with Nike trainers and things like that. Now, a lot of our office chair customers are looking at knitting,” said Darren Hill, head of Camira Knit.
It’s been a surprising evolution for the company, from the earliest days of manufacturing automotive accessories to the whole gamut of furnishing components created today. The team is wholeheartedly embracing this expansion of reach—and the new era of knit.
“The technology has been around since the early eighties. We started with General Motors making car seat covers. When you look at automotive though, it can take five years to have a widget put in a car. So, the thought process was, if we moved to office furniture, it would be a bit quicker route to market,” Hill explained.

When Camira first entered the office furniture arena, standard elements were requested, in the traditional workplace colors like white, brown, and gray. The fabrics were high-performance, but basic. Camira’s clients weren’t quite ready to step outside of the box. “We were doing basic mesh backs for a number of years. They were in shades of black, or maybe someone wanted a lumbar feature. It was a bit boring. We weren’t really being challenged at all,” Hill said.
Hill noted that many customers are used to selecting from a limited number of materials, unaware of the custom options that Camira can provide. “People don’t really know what they want, and that is always the difficult part of this process. People are used to looking at a pattern card or opening up a binder. They want to choose one meter of this or two meters of that. They can’t always comprehend that they really can have what they want.”
When Haworth came to Camira to work on the Very chair, both groups considered the infinite possibilities that could change the look of office furniture forever. Since then, Camira has worked with Patricia Urquiola’s design team and a number of upscale furnishings manufacturers. The knit division has been responsible for the fabrics featured on the Evo lounge chair by EFG and the renowned Haze pendant by Zero Lighting, to name just a few.

Typically, designers meet with the knit group at Camira’s facility in Nottingham, England, to see fabric samples and to discuss the client’s vision for the finished piece. “We talk about how we can incorporate different colors in three or four rows to catch the eye. We consider different tension zones, or if we want to have something a little more opaque in certain areas. It starts these broader conversations, and it starts the creative minds of the developers. It’s great to see,” Hill noted.
Coloration borrowed from apparel is seen in office furniture more often, especially as companies strive to differentiate themselves in an ever-crowded field. “I think, again, a lot of it comes from fashion, particularly sportswear. Ten years ago, when you walked around our plant, you saw blacks and grays everywhere, that was it. I walked around the other day and I think I saw two machines that were on black, and the rest were on colors. People are realizing that they don’t have to stick with the same thing. In the last five years we’ve seen an explosion of color,” Hill said.
Hill explained that when clients partner with Camira, they receive more than just a knit textile, but a hands-development session, backed by the expertise of the developers. He noted that for a task chair, the process takes about 18 months, from start to finish. “We’re not just supplying a fabric, it’s a concept. I would say nine times out of ten during the collaboration, we’re advising on frames, attachment methods, or upholstery. We’re coming up with new ideas and techniques. The end result is something bespoke and totally unique.”

A Camira knit has on-trend style, and added appeal as an eco-friendly option. Hill noted that the method of manufacturing is inherently zero-waste. Cutting one or two shapes from a roll of material is standard, but unwanted excess is created. Camira operations, however, are much more streamlined. “We have a machine and we have a cone of yarn. We create the exact size and fit the customer wants, so there’s nothing extra. We run the fabric through our quality checks, bag it, and send it straight out the door. It’s a great environmental story.”
The company currently has 33 knitting machines, and Hill noted that they expect to add another dozen or so by the end of 2022. According to company projections, within the next five years another 60 machines will be added to the fleet. It’s a time of growth and innovation for Camira, and Hill is looking to Camira Knit to lead the way. “Our clients are pushing the boundaries, which pushes us. We’re coming up with new ideas and techniques. The collaboration, it’s such a buzz. It’s why we love what we do,” he added.