Perfection

Two separate issues are inextricably linked by a man in Gütersloh, Germany, one an increase in the sale of tights to men (remember that one!), the other the solving of the mysterious tiny holes that appear in cotton tees. For in Gütersloh is the Miele factory and at then end of the production line is a man who puts a pair of tights on his hand, runs his hands through the drum and if the tights get snagged, the machine is kaput. Suddenly I realised my washing machine at home was the culprit for annoying little holes which I knew weren't moth induced. Then I abandoned the champagne and made my way over to the washing machine that I was to place a rose in to be washed.

The only thing that stopped me from climbing into the honeycomb drum was Helene's G9 camera. Fashion Assistant had been raving about hers and has taken some great shots and I have to say I'm completely smitten too - its fab!

Anyway, in went the roses on a cold silk wash with no detergent. The cycle is 36 mins long and spins at 400 rpm. As fascinated as I was, (and I was) I had a glass of champers to finish, so I dragged Chris Wright, Miele's Brand Director to the table to answer all my household appliance q's.

It was sheer bliss for me to discuss washing machines, vacuum cleaners and even cooking utensils. I was of course being utterly selfish making a mental list of best buys to make my life easier. But part of my checking out the strength of Miele products was to investigate it's company credentials. One of the reasons I like American Apparel is the company's commitment to a proper manufacturing process. Dov Charney isn't a man I'd want to meet but I can't fault his companies ethos and goods. I admire the growth of the textile industry in the Far East and India, and who wouldn't begrudge the development of their economies but I think companies should have a mix of manufacturing bases and not debunk fully to the cheapest production processes just to increase the margins on already healthy profits. My 'never deal with them again' awards go to Burberry for closing their remaining British factory in Treorchy, South Wales making 300 unemployed in an already poor area and also to Dyson for doing the same in Wiltshire, the place where is all started - all for some far east cost reduction.

The durability of a Miele washing machine is backed by credentials that have ensured the family company had remained faithfully to its 100 year roots in Gütersloh. I like that sort of loyalty as well as the amazing Miele portfolio.

Back to the roses - well they came out quite peachy and still smelling of roses.

I knew I wanted the washing machine then and there as the ability to wash items that routinely have dry clean only on them (because the manufacturer won't pay to test how they can be washed and so classify them dry clean only or hand wash) was definitely a reality. I already do it on some items in my sub standard machine but this was a step up indeed!

The trouble was the machine wouldn't fit in my bag and the Miele demonstrator threw me by mentioning fuzzy logic - turns out she wasn't commenting on me per se (phew) but the fact if you only wash one item the machine uses only the right amount of water. I thought I'd sleep better at night knowing that or was it just champagne that helped!