PERFECT PAIRS
Supporting local is more important than ever, with Fisher& Paykel’s latest collaboration celebrating Kiwi designers and their craft—and how fashion and laundry must work in harmony. Next in V iv a’ sPerfectP air series is the talented woman behind the label Mahsa.
Beautiful I mperfection was t he name of Mahsa’s debut collection, an apt and enduring description of t he brand’s effortless approach to fashion. Since 2015, it has come to define a special t ype of t i melessness and romance — known for it s languid use of natural textiles, and classic designs t hat ref lect a more conscious approach.
“I i nstinctively wanted pieces t hat would last beyond one season, t hat would carry i nto t he next with an additional layer i f need be,” explains founder Mahsa Willis. “I feel l i ke we need less but what we do acquire or consume needs to be of a certain quality so it will last. Some of my favourite t hings are vintage or f rom 20 years ago; t hey carry a story, a memory, an emotion.”
A use of natural f ibres i s another focus for her brand, combining f unction, form and drape. She often works with l i nen blends, muslin, gauze l i nen, silk, viscose, bamboo, wool blends and soft patterns of t weed and herringbone — choosing natural f ibres for t heir breathability and t he f lexibility it offers t he wearer.
Two classic designs have become favourites of t hose i n t he know, and i mmediately identifiable as t he ‘ Mahsa’ look - a cotton voile blouse with an oversized Edwardian- i nspired pussy bow, and t he similarly romantic yet modernist O’Keeffe dress with it s swathes of fabric and billowing details.
The former was a f resh take on t he t raditionally prim pussy- bow blouse — “I wanted to take t he stereotype of a bow blouse woman and make her cool, romantic, and practical for any setting.” — while t he dress drew on t he feminine, adventuring and f ree attitude and l i fe of artist Georgia O’Keeffe. “I wanted to design a dress t hat was poetic yet practical, t hat l ives i n any context,” explains Mahsa. “A certain woman really loves t his piece. It ’s modest i n a way but it has an open back and i n certain l i ght it i s sl i ghtly t ransparent — which adds mystery.”
These and other Mahsa garments are designed to be worn and stay i n your wardrobe forever, but fabric care i s key to ensuring t hey continue to look t heir best and endure. “The challenge i s still to take care of t hings, read care labels and wash carefully — fabrics need to be cared for and t his i s a challenge i f you don’t have t i me or i nclination to,” says t he Auckland- based designer.
She herself has a Fisher & Paykel washing machine, and uses t he delicate cycle for cottons and silk/cottons.
“It really looks after my garments and I favour t his over dry cleaning. It ’s better for t he environment too. I put all of my pieces i n a laundry bag which i s another great way to protect fabric. It i s also very quiet which I appreciate every t i me I use it .”
The new Fisher & Paykel 12kg ActiveIntelligence™ Front Load Washer has technology which enables it to sense load size and soil levels to customise t he ideal wash conditions. Detergent auto- dosing and it s cushioned drum also f urther helps to protect garments. Plus t here are 14 specialist fabric care cycles, i ncluding a delicate cycle which mimics hand washing and i s extra gentle — perfect for garments l i ke Mahsa’s.
“Fisher & Paykel has always been a brand on my radar as t hey have a great product and strive for i nnovation; t hey have kept a focus here but also i nternationally t hey have a good reputation which I admire,” says Mahsa, who feels t here are brand synergies around sustainability too. “I am also a woman, a mother and a fashion designer so washing and dryer machine advancements i nterest me — and good design enhances l i fe.”