Rhian

Rose Nymph

Rhian was founded by Brittany Nelson-Misa and is based in Ōtepoti Dunedin. Each collection begins with a memory, feeling, or story, developed through original poetry that informs the textiles, silhouettes, and construction of each garment.

Rhian focuses on quality over quantity, creating garments designed to have longevity and remain relevant beyond a single season. The aim is to create a sense of sentimentality around clothing, where pieces become connected to the people, memories, and stories they carry.

Rhian combines utilitarian elements with experimental silhouettes, using distinctive geometric forms, curved shapes, and draping. Original digital textiles are central to Rhian, bringing together photography, artwork, and typography to create prints with their own sense of story.

Sustainability
Sustainability within Rhian is approached through production scale, material use, and local manufacturing. Collections are produced in small runs alongside a made-to-order model, allowing garments to be created in response to demand and reducing excess inventory. Digital textile printing enables precise material use and on-demand production, limiting unnecessary waste. Most garments are produced in Dunedin, supporting local makers and maintaining close oversight of quality and process. This approach prioritises longevity, responsible production, and a more considered relationship between garment and wearer, rather than overproduction or trend-driven cycles.

Diversity
Rhian approaches diversity through both design and production. The brand works with a made-to-order model that allows garments to be developed with consideration for different bodies, rather than a fixed size standard. This creates space for a more inclusive approach to fit, shape, and wearability.

Garments are often designed with adaptability in mind, incorporating elements such as ties, straps, and adjustable construction that allow pieces to be styled across different body types and proportions. This flexibility is considered from the outset of the design process, rather than applied as an afterthought.