In Conversation With Anita Ghise

Anita Ghise is a pattern maker, designer, dressmaker, and digital creator- and we’re lucky to have her as our in-house pattern maker at Blyss Studios. After a recent pattern meeting, we took a walk by the golden water’s edge at sunrise with a camera and a few of the pieces she helped bring to life. We played with transeasonal layering, vibrant colour pops, and the bold red of blooming hibiscus. The result? A dreamy, 90s-tinged visual flow- bright, nostalgic, and full of feeling. Shot on film, riverside, by me.

Below, we chat to Anita about her creative rituals, her community project, 'The After Party Stitch Up', and why clothing remains one of her most powerful forms of expression.

Q & A WITH ANITA GHISE

1| Do you have any daily rituals or grounding practices that help you stay connected to yourself?

A: The ocean is my number 1 grounding ritual. From free diving beneath the surface, surfing, boating or simply a quick dip. Other than that spending time outside and moving my body are my grounding medicine. Not to forget my cat and dog.

2 | How has clothing become a language for your creativity - and what do you love most about expressing yourself this way?

A: As a dressmaker clothing - fabrics and the way things are made are very important factor in my life. I studied fashion and made my passion into a job. The way you dress, choose colours, silhouettes, fibres, it's all a way to express feelings and moods, but also to go create them.

3| We love The After Party Stitch Up. What sparked the idea, and what do you hope people take from it? 

A: I have always been passionate about fixing and mending and making my clothes unique. What sparked the idea was conversations with people deeply ingrained in the fashion industry that had no knowledge whatsoever of how to fix a button or mend a simple tear. And the fear that came up to have a visibly mended garment, that’s seemingly not perfect anymore. I wanted to show people that mending is easy, accessible and you don’t have to be a seamstress to do it. As well as embracing imperfections or even making them a feature that stands out and makes your garment unique.

4| Self-transformation is a theme of the Evolve or Repeat collection. How do you relate to this idea of ‘being change’ in your own creative or personal journey?

A: I thrive on challenge and change. I love taking on new challenges- may it be a new skill or hobby. I firmly believe that in the pursuit of happiness we need to constantly review and reassess our lifestyle.

5| Do you have a favourite piece from Blyss Offering Two? What story or feeling does it hold for you?

A: My favourite piece is the Guided By Angels Long Sleeve Tee in Snowflake Obsidian colour way - I love oversized clothing and how it makes me feel safe and cosy!