Capsule clothing brand, N I S H, encourages creativity

The beginnings of N I S H can be traced back to an old roll of beautifully weighted upholstery linen found in a garage in Cape Town. This found fabric was the input of Tanisha Neill’s first fashion design and sparked the launch of N I S H.

N I S H is a Cape Town-based fashion and furniture design studio, offering a capsule clothing collection of garments made in Cape Town. Their fashion sets allow for “flexible fashion” and encourage an ethos of less is more. Recently, Tanisha included carefully curated and created furniture.

We asked Tanisha a few questions:

Tell us a bit about yourself and what led you to start N I S H Fashion.

The roll of found linen was the catalyst to start N I S H Fashion. I couldn’t stand the thought of this stunning fabric going to waste and so I popped down to my local tailor. Despite my lack of fashion knowledge, I managed to create the first ‘capsule’ skirt, shorts and shirt set.

I lived in this set as it was so easy to dress up or down and style with other pieces in my wardrobe. I started getting comments and queries about where I got the pieces. This led to me making a few sets for friends… which led to the birth of N I S H.

What made you branch into furniture?

Since committing to the brand and elevating it from a “side hustle” to “going all in”, I have added N I S H Furniture to the brand which was launched at Decorex this year. I am a qualified interior designer with a Masters in Product Design and Design Innovation and so the furniture collection was a natural extension of the brand.

How would you describe the ethos and design style of N I S H?

N I S H creates contemporary, elegant and progressive designs that salute the contradiction between perfection and the irregularity that comes with combining natural materials with human craftsmanship.

N I S H creates “flexible fashion”. What does this mean?

Flexible Fashion is versatile fashion. We have allowed our designs to be “flexible” through creating sets, that give outfit diversity, as well as designing gender-neutral pieces. My partner and I often have to “shotgun” who gets to wear the corduroy set! It’s a challenge but so fantastic to see the use that these pieces get.

Why are capsule clothing collections an important element of slow fashion?

A capsule wardrobe to me is efficient, but also versatile which lends itself to being stress-free. This allows ease in choosing outfits or packing for trips at the same time. It doesn’t limit expression, but rather challenges you to be more creative with what you already own.

Can you share a few tips about embracing capsule clothing?

You have to be cut-throat when clearing out what you already own. Know where you want your clothes to go, as sometimes it’s hard to separate from them, whether it’s selling them on marketplaces or secondhand stores, giving them to friends, or donating. Be careful with donating and do a little research on where the clothes are going as sometimes these items end up being thrown away.

Select a complementary colour palette and get to know what styles and shapes of garments suit your body best – get help from a mother, sibling or a friend, if not a professional stylist. This help will ensure you select garments that make you feel powerful and never second guess putting them on.

What is your favourite item in your wardrobe? And why?

100% a waistcoat/gilet. This is a piece that is the perfect addition to give an outfit a special touch, but it’s also practical as it puts you at the perfect temperature.