Layering it down
Designer’s winter collection reflects a love of colour
FOR a typical winter Down Under, layering is essential for the mornings that aren’t representative of how hot the day may become. There’s no style better suited to adding a second or third skin than bohemian, and the Currumbin-based label Mahiya, created by husband and wife Alex and Ryan Hutchinson, embodies the timeless trend.
“The bohemian lifestyle is truly what inspires the Mahiya brand and line of products, all handmade with love,” Alex says.
“After growing up in Australia, we were both fortunate enough to travel to exotic locations around the world and experience the charm of different cultures and places.
“In addition to our ingrained love of the ocean, in 2013 we set out to create a collection of bohemian leather bags, wallets, shoes and accessories that represented the beauty we encountered on both our bohemian adventures and at home.”
They not only took inspiration from nature but pledged to respect it, using only ethically sourced and sustainable leather and working closely with Balinese artisans to craft the products.
Their flair for fashion design soon developed into clothing.
“I have always loved bright colours but they are definitely harder to find in winter so that’s why we always like to add some colour to our winter collections,” Alex says.
“As I am 21 weeks pregnant I would have to say our Demelza Baby Doll dress is one of my favourites at the moment, which is nice and flowy over my growing belly and it’s great that I can layer it with skinny jeans, boots and vests.
“Another favourite is our Moloko Poncho as it is so soft and cosy for winter.”
A melting pot of carefully selected and implemented colours, textures and designs, Mahiya’s Hidden Valley winter collection runs no risk of being boring.
“Mixing frilled hemlines, modern boho mini dresses, baby doll dresses, dropped hem maxi dresses and off-the-shoulder tops, the Hidden Valley line fully embodies Mahiya’s signature style,” Alex says.
“The collection is inspired by our love of travelling and those spontaneous mornings and evenings spent outdoors with friends and loved ones, watching the sunrise or sunset dramatically change the colour of the sky.”