Before you start reading the article, please take a look at the designs by Andrea: https://andreamihalyffy.com/
We met Andrea Mihalyffy through a mutual friend, and as someone who loves cashmere and has worked in the design industry, I was excited to hear her story. Andrea, originally from Hungary, has lived in Sarasota for 28 years. Her journey from a young girl interested in art to a renowned knitwear designer is as inspiring as her beautiful creations.
“I never thought how I started designing,” Andrea muses. During her college years in Budapest, her passion for three-dimensional art deepened, rooted in her love and appreciation of Cubism, Constructivism, sculpture, and architecture. This interest eventually steered her towards knitwear design, a field that seamlessly combines her passion for luxurious fabrics and the creation of beautiful, fluent three-dimensional forms. “Since childhood, I have been drawn to knitwear fashion,” Andrea recalls. She has fond memories of her mother’s beautiful cashmere sweaters, which were exquisitely soft, laid back, and luxurious. These early experiences with luxury knitwear and her fascination for three-dimensional art guided her toward the knitwear design department in college.
Andrea’s training in knitwear textile design in Budapest refined her skills and introduced her to the intricate world of fashion. After working with clients at a fashion studio, she moved to the United States to study English, enhancing her ability to communicate with an international clientele. Her first fashion show at Casey Key, Florida, was a significant milestone in her American journey.
Andrea’s approach to fashion is deeply philosophical. For her, design is more than just creating clothes; it expresses her inner world. She makes her fabrics using a specialized machine knitting cashmere sheets, allowing her to craft each piece from scratch. This process will enable her to design patterns that perfectly fit her clients. “Creating my knitted textile from yarns and designing from my fabric is a form of liberation,” she explains.
Andrea's designs are a harmonious blend of style and practicality.
The design method is similar to Japanese Origami: only folding and stitching without destroying the material with scissors. She creates three-dimensional flowing shapes from knitted sheets, ensuring no waste and maintaining the integrity of the material.
Andrea’s cashmere pieces drape elegantly and fluently hug the wearer’s natural form. She emphasizes the importance of the material’s feel and quality, stating, “I experiment a lot and love cashmere for its soft touch and quality.”
Her collections are divided into exclusive custom-made pieces and small collections of ready-to-wear items. The custom pieces allow clients to be part of the design process, resulting in unique garments that reflect their style. Her ready-to-wear line offers simple yet elegant pieces that are versatile and perfect for any occasion.
Andrea’s designs are perfect for Sarasota’s tropical climate. Her lightweight cashmere pieces are ideal for layering, making them suitable for travel and everyday wear. “My pieces are perfect for layering. They are easy to fold and pack,” she says. Andrea finds inspiration in Zen philosophy, which she incorporates into her designs. Her pieces offer comfort and freedom of movement to the feminine body. “I believe comfort enhances beauty,” she says.
Selling online has become a significant part of Andrea’s business. While she acknowledges that many people prefer to try on clothes before purchasing, she believes in the convenience of online shopping. “My goal is to sell all over the world through my website. The lines of my designs are very forgiving and light, so after customers who own my designs, they return for more,” she explains. Her website showcases her inventory of unique pieces, and she encourages customers to order custom cashmere pieces to get a truly personalized experience.
Andrea’s vision for the future extends beyond wearable fashion. She sees fashion as art and plans to incorporate her designs into art installations and performances. She is excited about experimenting with different fabrics like burlap to create unique art pieces that push the boundaries of traditional fashion.
Meeting Andrea and hearing her story reminded me of how deeply personal and expressive design can be. Her luxurious cashmere pieces, created with care and precision, offer a unique blend of elegance, comfort, and timeless style. Whether you’re looking for a custom piece or something from her ready-to-wear collection, Andrea Mihalyffy’s designs are a testament to her talent and vision. Explore her work and discover the art of cashmere through Andrea’s eyes.
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