Buying clothes for sentimental reasons is hardly a new trend, but have you ever wondered it could be a sustainable fashion choice at the same time? MICHSA (pronounced 'MIK-shah') sweatshirts are not only stylish but also carry personal stories of Budapest's iconic neighbourhoods, making them timeless pieces.
Balázs Nagy, the brand founder, is not your typical sweatshirt designer. With 13 years of experience running a video company, his journey into the world of embroidered jumpers was unexpected. He purchased an embroidery machine while searching for company uniforms, igniting a creative passion.
He immersed himself in the tactile world of textiles, sourcing supplies from charming shops and learning the art of needlework. This hands-on experience was a refreshing departure from his digital work:
It was a delightful escape from the digital realm as I explored quaint shops, chatted with friendly shopkeepers, and discovered the tactile pleasures of thread and needle.
Balázs designs the patterns for MICHSA and meticulously implements them using machine embroidery. To share his knowledge and passion, he creates tutorials and shares them on his YouTube channel.
Inspired by his local surroundings, Balázs chose the idyllic atmosphere of II. János Pál pápa tér in Józsefváros, District 8, as the motif for his first sweater. This simple experiment with the embroidery software led to the birth of a unique and meaningful design.
MICHSA sweatshirts have found a loyal following at Kastner Kommunity, a beloved local design store. Featuring iconic neighbourhoods like the Palace Quarter and Népszínház utca, as well as newer additions like Újpalota and Kelenföld – famous for their panelház buildings constructed from prefabricated concrete panels during the 1960s to the 1980s – these garments have become a symbol of Budapest's unique charm.
Balázs is committed to sustainable fashion. The brand's premium cotton sweaters are not only stylish but also built to last, encouraging a more conscious approach to consumption:
I believe that every business of good conscience should operate as sustainably as possible and offer greener products – I want to do the same.
These premium cotton pieces are more than just clothing; they're souvenirs that capture special moments and memories.
Balázs SEES MICHSA PRODUCTS AS SOUVENIR SWEATshirts, BOUGHT PRIMARILY FOR SENTIMENTAL ATTACHMENT AND WORN FOR MANY YEARS.
The brand doesn't chase current fashion but focuses on our feelings, a more timeless approach to clothing design. After all, who wouldn't keep a dress in their wardrobe that symbolises a holiday, a trip, or a special memory?
Balázs first heard the stories of his customers and the many ways they relate to his products through his collaboration with Panelwalks, a company that organises tours in Kelenföld and Újpalota:
Some of them live in the US, but spent half a year here and took a Kelenföld sweater with them as a souvenir, because the panels grew on them. Someone was a tour guide in the Újpalota water tower, and a guy had just bought his first apartment in Kelenföld, and I could go on.
Through collaborations with organisations like Panelwalks, Balázs has discovered the emotional impact of his designs. Whether it's a tourist taking home a piece of Budapest or a local celebrating their neighbourhood, MICHSA sweaters evoke a sense of belonging and nostalgia.
Priced at HUF 19,900, these timeless pieces can be purchased at Kastner Kommunity .
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(Cover photo: Nagy Balázs - MICHSA)
