MAHAUD

Mahaud came to Vancouver Fashion Week from France. Designer Mathilde Covelli showed her collection on day 2 of VFW. The following are biographical notes provided by the designer to Vancouver Fashion Week.

Mahaud is Mathilde Covelli's new take on fashion.

 

Mathilde carries with her the questions of a young generation perceptive about ecological and societal issues, and above all the desire to act in a responsible way. Combined with a strong entrepreneurial spirit and a diploma from the Institut Français de la Mode, it gave birth to Mahaud in 2021.

In an innovation-focused environment, Mahaud highlights a conviction: fashion can be virtuous. This idea defines the brand's identity, which is based on upcycling, or how to make new out of old! To achieve this, Mathilde works with top-quality partners, Royalties Paris, a socks company promoting know-how, made in France, and sustainability/reuse values.

If you don't know how Mahaud works, let us explain! Common and ordinary, socks are part of our daily lives; but that also makes them solid, abundant and universal allies. Especially for this new collection, we also introduced upcycled tights. This is where we find our raw material, which will ultimately become a trendy and, above all, ethical fashion object in our ultra-contemporary silhouette collections.

MAHAUD 

A REVIEW

Mathilde Covelli  attended VFW with her parents coming to Vancouver Canada from France. I met the happy trio at the side of the runway and we tried to converse. Mathilde spoke much better English than I speak French. I managed to get the message of her collection from speaking with her and from the brands high quality program notes (complete with a look book and fabric sample). It is the message that made me pay special attention to this label.

The term sustainable fashion was a concept first developed in the 1960s; however, it wasn't until the 1990s that a movement devoted to sustainable fashion started to take hold. The fashion industry at large has been slow to pick up the values of sustainable/upcycled clothing. The bright spot in this movement has been smaller brands that have committed to sustainability as a business model and a brand's identity.

Mahaud is a brand that is committed to "virtuous fashion" and has a unique concept. Partnering with a hosiery company, Mathilde Covelli produces a line of clothing made from upcycled socks and tights.

MAHAUD ON THE RUNWAY

The designer's notes speak of being daring, daring to do things differently, daring to be new, daring to transgress, but above all, daring to act, an idea that comes to fruition in the collection. Covelli empowers women to embrace themselves and their bodies. The garments are sheer, elegant, and revealing. In fleshy pinks and rose, the first garment down the runway sets the mood. The theme of being free is evident throughout the collection.

Where is this young woman wearing these clothes? The point is wherever she wants. Lightweight sheer fabrics cling to the body like a second skin. The collection utilizes translucent fabrics to enhance and highlight the form and structure of the garments, emphasizing the draping and exposed seams. Ruffles define the edges and add detail.

PHOTOS BY ARUN NEVADER

Standout pieces are a series of dresses with a patchwork design, juxtaposing rectangular pieces of various fabrics - some opaque, others gauzy. A highlight is an all-white mini dress with garters and sheer white stockings made into trousers, perhaps the designer's bridal moment.

Overall, the feeling is one of effortless dressing for the young woman who throws on her clothes and looks fabulous. The clothes are hyper-feminine without being girly. This designer has claimed her ground with a daring and provocative collection featuring exposed and barely covered bodies. This brand is designed for today's young woman, whom the designer describes as audacious, bold, and adventurous.

IN CONCLUSION

I have decided to include all the photos from the Mahaud collection. I will remove any images upon request as I realize some may not want their photo online. I was happy to see Mathilde's parents so proud of their daughter's accomplishments. I was excited to see a collection from a young designer that made such a strong statement.

CIAO FOR NOW J. ANDREW