To mark the drop of MISHA’s highly anticipated Winter ’26 collection, the Melbourne-born label enters a more distilled chapter: one defined by clarity, restraint and intent. Expanding into ready-to-wear at a new level, the collection balances occasion dressing with everyday versatility, reworking the house codes through architectural tailoring, compact knitwear, supple jersey, satin, textured outerwear and signature silk tulle.
Anchored in deep winter tones with a Melbourne Noir sensibility, and lifted by moments of soft pistachio, Winter ’26 explores strength and sensuality through a lens of quiet confidence. As the collection lands, we sat down with MISHA founder and Creative Director Michelle Aznavorian to talk about building the brand from the ground up, the risks that shaped its rise, the opening of its first Melbourne flagship, and why this new ready-to-wear chapter feels like the moment she has been patiently working towards.
You built MISHA from the ground up, doing everything yourself from packing orders, to building the website and approaching boutiques. What was the most exciting part of those early days, and what’s a memory from that time that still makes you smile?
Looking back, the most exciting part was the growth… Personally and creatively. Developing my taste, building knowledge, learning through doing… that’s something no one can take away from you. It’s what still makes me smile. Those early days shaped everything and gave me an edge I rely on now.
MISHA exploded on social media; what was your strategy for creating that ‘must-have’ buzz and catching the eye of global icons like Bella Hadid, and the Kardashian/Jenners?
A lot of it came down to timing and trusting my instincts. I wasn’t afraid to take risks, even when they could have gone either way. That willingness to back myself made a huge difference. The landscape now is completely different, but back then it was about moving fast and having conviction.
Winning the Ernst & Amp; Young Entrepreneur of the Year award as the youngest nominees is incredible. What did that recognition mean to you, and how did it fuel your ambition for the brand?
It was one of the biggest moments of my life. I genuinely didn’t expect it, so when it happened, I was blown away. I remember asking one of the judges afterwards, “Why me?” and he said, “You took risks that no one else would—that’s what makes a great entrepreneur.” That really stayed with me. It felt like recognition for everything I had put on the line to build this.
The brand is known for its ’nocturnal sophistication’. What does that phrase mean to you, and how does it guide your design process?
To me, she’s intelligent, self-assured, and has a strong sense of taste. She appreciates quality
and notices the small details. That mindset guides everything every fabric, every cut, every finish.
You recently opened your first flagship store in Melbourne, designed by a Milanese architecture firm. How did it feel to see the MISHA work come to life in a physical space?
The idea actually came from a moment in Paris, I walked into a news-agency and came across a magazine featuring this incredible architecture. It was clean, minimal, all white, but still had an edge. I wanted to bring that level of contemporary luxury back to Australia. Seeing it come to life has been incredibly rewarding. People always say the space feels warm, elevated, and exclusive it really feels like our world.
If you could dress any woman in history, who would it be and why?
I don’t design for one specific woman. I create for all women – I don’t like to confine it to one type or era.
What’s the most glamorous part of being a fashion designer, and what’s the most surprisingly unglamorous part?
There’s actually very little that’s glamorous. It’s a highly technical job. You’re making constant decisions – on fit, colour, fabric, lighting, range planning – across hundreds of pieces each season. It’s intense and requires real focus. You have to genuinely love the process.
How has your personal style evolved since launching MISHA, and how much of your own wardrobe is from your collections?
It’s definitely evolved. I mix MISHA with vintage Céline, Dior, and Saint Laurent. I like
studying great design – understanding the fit, the fabric, the construction. I collect vintage pieces and really take them apart mentally. One day, I’d love to pass them down to my daughters.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to your younger self, back when you were running an eBay store and dreaming of launching your own label?
Don’t rush it. Take the time to really study the market. Know who your north star brands are
and pay attention to every detail – there’s so much to learn from that.
What’s next for MISHA? Are there any dream collaborations or new categories you would love to explore?
Right now is a major moment for us. After 12 years, we’re launching our first ready-to-wear collection at this level. It’s taken years of refining, learning, and developing a clear point of view to get here. This feels like the moment I’ve been patiently working towards.
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