The little Wellington factory with a big story.
Verve interviews Pam Lowe of ethical underwear brand, Nisa.
How has Nisa adapted to, and overcome, the challenges it has faced?
At the end of 2022, company founder Elisha Watson needed to exit the business. Myself (production supervisor), Li Ling Ho (CFO maternity cover), Hannah McHalick (GM maternity cover), Yuribeth Mahecha (lead machinist), and Queen Sudagar (production supervisor) put together a PledgeMe campaign which raised the $80,000 we needed in under 24 hours, reaching $165,000 by the end of the campaign.
Tells us more about the beautifully crafted undies you manufacture?
Nisa makes garments that are about comfort, fit, and quality. We use a gorgeous organic cotton-Spandex mix for our briefs and bralettes, from a mill in Melbourne, and recycled materials for our activewear and swimwear. We have also just launched our Winter 24, Low-waste Merino range.
What makes Nisa unique?
We’re probably the most transparent manufacturer out there. When you walk into the shop, it’s just a rail of underwear separating the shop and the workroom – you can see who’s sewing your clothes as you peruse the rails.
‘Make your own briefs’ sounds like a fun experience… can anyone do this workshop?
Yep – no experience necessary! It’s a really fun day for friends or family members to do together. Plus, you leave with three pairs of briefs you’ve made!
What fun and innovative products do you imagine creating in the future?
Nisa has just started our journey into Zero Waste pattern making. It’s a clever and creative way to make your garments using up all of the fabric they are cut from, and not being part of the industry standard that can waste 30% of fabric before the garment is even sewn up. Our latest Low Waste Merino has used 96% of our fabric. We will launch a new Activewear collection in June that we aim to use 99-100%, achieved through clever panelling and tessellating the patterns so there are no gaps as we cut the garments out. This not only lowers the amount of fabric used but also the amount we need to ship into New Zealand. Please sign up to our mailing list if you would like to be notified when it comes out on our website.
Anything else to add?
With the money raised from the PledgeMe campaign, we also managed to buy a casing machine, which attaches the casing for underwire on bras. Our very first underwire bra, the ‘Adele’, has just launched. This bra has come about from my absolute hatred of getting to that uncomfortable 4pm period – I designed the Adele as a comfortable, all-day bra. With wide, 35mm straps, and most seams on the outside of the bra, there’s nothing rubbing against your skin. It’s made from our lovely organic cotton/spandex, so is breathable and hard-wearing. Made in New Zealand, the Adele comes in XS/8-4XL/22 in a C/D cup and a DD/E cup.
Shop, book a workshop, and find our more at nisa.co.nz, and use the code VERVE10 to get 10% off any full-price purchase.
