From Wei Ma to Mawei

“Every piece begins with the quality of the material, the craftsmanship, and design. It is about clarity - how the garment feels, moves, and lives with the person who wears it,” says Wei Ma, founder and designer of Mawei, launched in 2025.

Wei Ma grew up in Shanghai, where Chinese tradition meets Western influence. Surrounded by this rich tapestry of culture, she developed a deep passion for cashmere - a love she carried with her when she moved with her family to Norway’s south coast. The landscape of sea, light, and wind inspired her profoundly.

When the dream sparked only in Wei Ma's mind.

Mawei is shaped by the meeting of Chinese heritage and Scandinavian minimalism.

With a background in knitwear production, her work begins with the material. Years spent working closely with garments have built a clear understanding of how they are made and how they perform over time, with a focus on lasting quality.

Working through function, proportion, and detail in essential cashmere pieces, she allows material and craftsmanship to lead. Each garment is developed through a thorough and considered process, with multiple fittings to refine shape and balance before becoming part of the collection.

Wei Ma in her studio in Cicignon, Fredrikstad.

“A lot of my inspiration comes from the people I work with and the process behind the garments,” Wei says. At the factory, she works closely with the team who make each piece -knowing their names, their skills, and their hands. “Through this, I see how challenges are solved, and how quality is achieved. It is a process I have deep respect for.”

The work builds gradually. The first collection draws from her own cashmere wardrobe -tops, skirts, trousers, and accessories. Silhouettes are refined through proportion, ensuring comfort while maintaining a clear aesthetic. Details are precise, expressed through design and craft.