Seven Questions With Mimi: Designer of Miatta-Mimi and Owner of Boutique Mix
I had the pleasure of conducting an interview with Mimi, the designer of the Miatta-Mimi line and owner of Boutique Mix. I hope you will be as inspired as I was by this insightful interview. Here's what the talented and savvy business owner had to say:
Let me first thank you very much for this interview and the opportunity to get word out about the boutique. I really do appreciate it and as you probably know, I love your blog!!! As a little girl, I dreamed of owning my own fashion boutique. Growing up, I enjoyed looking at beautiful clothes and accessories, especially those that were hand-made. I envisioned myself as a fabulous designer or top model. I have lived in Europe, Western Africa, the UK South Africa, and spent some time in other locales, and these very diverse cultures have always influenced by fashion tastes. I am drawn to euro-chic and ethnic-chic, afro-centric and afro-euro. I wanted to offer a collection that appeals to a diverse group of shoppers from all parts of the globe. Fashion is universal, limited merely by our “comfort zones’ and our budgets.
The “Mix” in Boutique Mix represents an Ethnik Chik Kollection of diverse people, diverse tastes, global interests and the one true love of all things fashion. I wanted the collection to be reminiscent of the shopper's last vacation to Florence or last sojourn to Zimbabwe – unique items that remind us of the vacations we long to take or the memories we made during our most recent ones. Boutique Mix is your one stop fashion locale – an international excursion with no visa or passport required. I bring everything right to your computer. You’re only a mouse click away from looking fabulous.
The one question I get from everyone, especially in my legal work is “why is an attorney and cpa” dabbling in fashion? I’m not really dabbling. Fashion has always been my first love. When I realized that I needed to go to school and that modeling/designing can wait, I surged full steam ahead – getting my BS in accounting with my minor in French, my MBA, my JD and finally my CPA. These academic tools allow me to understand the business environment, to recognize what’s important, to understand financing and the abc’s of structuring my business, and most importantly to understand and appreciate the business and legal realities facing all small business owners. I will never put myself in one box or label myself as one thing or another. I am merely an African Woman living her life like its golden and thanking God for all the blessings and opportunities in my life!!!
My other true passion is human rights activism, and Boutique Mix allows me the freedom and flexibility to accomplish my goals. Obviously as a business owner I would love to see Boutique Mix flourish and become more profitable than my wildest dreams. At the end of the day, however, Gloria Steiner said it best ----- It is more rewarding to watch money change the world than watch it accumulate. Using Boutique Mix as a stepping stone to make a difference one child at a time is the reason why I sleep very well at night.
Boutique Mix features funky and fabulous accessories. What do you think is the most important accessory item for women? The most important fashion accessory for any woman is definitely one that flatters and fits!!! To me, purses rank at the top of the list. Scarves, belts, earrings and necklaces can overwhelm an outfit much more easily that a purse can. Finding that one purse that complements your outfit is the key to looking elegant, chic, retro, sassy, sexy, funky, edgy or classy. Necklaces rank second on my list. I’m a huge necklace fan. Of course, the bolder, chunkier and bigger, the better for me. How do you select merchandise for your boutique? I select merchandise that transcend seasons and trends. I do market research, follow trade shows and communicate with vendors. I select merchandise that looks great all year round, and I never limit myself to brand names as long as the product fits my boutique image. I tend to select a diverse range of merchandise because my goal is to provide an international ethnik chik kollection that isn’t limited by the customer’s fashion sense or budget. Whether you’re the sophisticated budget-conscious buyer looking for that $5 wallet or the sophisticated up market shopper looking to spend $1000, Boutique Mix caters to you. What's hot at boutique mix right now; what are people buying or buzzing about? Online, it’s all about the little black dress, ditto brand jeans and the Bamboo eco-friendly purses. For in-store shoppers, it’s definitely the Iris Design bracelets, the Miatta-MiMi necklaces and the Gypsy 05 organic dresses. What designers in your boutique are you absolutely loving right now? Definitely Gypsy 05. I have been a fan of their clothes for the last two years, especially their maxi dresses. Their clothes are eco-friendly and produced in a solar-powered factory using organic fabric and natural dyes. I notice that several celebrities have been wearing them all over the place. The maxi dress has been featured in Life & Style magazine and has been seen on Lauren Conrad, Christina Aguilera, Hayden Panetierre, and Denise Richards, to name a few. What inspired you to create the Miatta-MiMi line? I always wanted to create my own line of jewelry because most of the stuff out there is demure and dainty. I love big chunky wood, resin, whatever. After getting numerous compliments on the necklaces and bracelets I made for myself I decided to start the line. I wanted to create jewelry for women who love to stand out; women that wanted to own their look and women who felt comfortable and sassy enough to get noticed. Miatta-MiMi is definitely not for the faint of heart – the pieces are bold and funky. Dazzle at your own Risk. What's your favorite travel destination? Definitely Capetown, South Africa. I love the mountains, the beaches, the towns, the people and the culture. I feel at peace with myself, my work and life whenever I am there. Boutique Mix was born in Capetown. Italy is a close second!!!! Those Italian Men. Wooooo. What CD could be the soundtrack to your life? Definitely depends on where I am and what’s going on at any one time in my life. If I had to compile the CD soundtrack to my life it will be (1) Leeann Womack – I Hope You Dance (2) Cyndi Lauper – Girl’s Just Wanna Have Fun (3) Madonna – Holiday (4) R. Kelly – The Storm is Over (5) Brad Paisley – When I Get Where I’m Going (6) 2Face Ibidia – African Queen (7) Cyndi Lauper – Time after Time (8) Cyndi Lauper – True Colors (9) Celine Dionne – Because You Loved Me (10) Garth Brooks – Unanswered Prayers (11) Gloria Gaynor – I will Survive (12) Garth Brooks – The River **Bonus Tracks (13) Bob Carlisle – Butterfly Kisses (14) Luther Vandross – Dance With My Father
For a beautiful selection of eclectic and funky accessories and clothing, visit http://www.boutiquemix.com/ today! Boutique Mix, An International Ethnik Chik Kollection.
Let me first thank you very much for this interview and the opportunity to get word out about the boutique. I really do appreciate it and as you probably know, I love your blog!!! As a little girl, I dreamed of owning my own fashion boutique. Growing up, I enjoyed looking at beautiful clothes and accessories, especially those that were hand-made. I envisioned myself as a fabulous designer or top model. I have lived in Europe, Western Africa, the UK South Africa, and spent some time in other locales, and these very diverse cultures have always influenced by fashion tastes. I am drawn to euro-chic and ethnic-chic, afro-centric and afro-euro. I wanted to offer a collection that appeals to a diverse group of shoppers from all parts of the globe. Fashion is universal, limited merely by our “comfort zones’ and our budgets.
The “Mix” in Boutique Mix represents an Ethnik Chik Kollection of diverse people, diverse tastes, global interests and the one true love of all things fashion. I wanted the collection to be reminiscent of the shopper's last vacation to Florence or last sojourn to Zimbabwe – unique items that remind us of the vacations we long to take or the memories we made during our most recent ones. Boutique Mix is your one stop fashion locale – an international excursion with no visa or passport required. I bring everything right to your computer. You’re only a mouse click away from looking fabulous.
The one question I get from everyone, especially in my legal work is “why is an attorney and cpa” dabbling in fashion? I’m not really dabbling. Fashion has always been my first love. When I realized that I needed to go to school and that modeling/designing can wait, I surged full steam ahead – getting my BS in accounting with my minor in French, my MBA, my JD and finally my CPA. These academic tools allow me to understand the business environment, to recognize what’s important, to understand financing and the abc’s of structuring my business, and most importantly to understand and appreciate the business and legal realities facing all small business owners. I will never put myself in one box or label myself as one thing or another. I am merely an African Woman living her life like its golden and thanking God for all the blessings and opportunities in my life!!!
My other true passion is human rights activism, and Boutique Mix allows me the freedom and flexibility to accomplish my goals. Obviously as a business owner I would love to see Boutique Mix flourish and become more profitable than my wildest dreams. At the end of the day, however, Gloria Steiner said it best ----- It is more rewarding to watch money change the world than watch it accumulate. Using Boutique Mix as a stepping stone to make a difference one child at a time is the reason why I sleep very well at night.
Boutique Mix features funky and fabulous accessories. What do you think is the most important accessory item for women? The most important fashion accessory for any woman is definitely one that flatters and fits!!! To me, purses rank at the top of the list. Scarves, belts, earrings and necklaces can overwhelm an outfit much more easily that a purse can. Finding that one purse that complements your outfit is the key to looking elegant, chic, retro, sassy, sexy, funky, edgy or classy. Necklaces rank second on my list. I’m a huge necklace fan. Of course, the bolder, chunkier and bigger, the better for me. How do you select merchandise for your boutique? I select merchandise that transcend seasons and trends. I do market research, follow trade shows and communicate with vendors. I select merchandise that looks great all year round, and I never limit myself to brand names as long as the product fits my boutique image. I tend to select a diverse range of merchandise because my goal is to provide an international ethnik chik kollection that isn’t limited by the customer’s fashion sense or budget. Whether you’re the sophisticated budget-conscious buyer looking for that $5 wallet or the sophisticated up market shopper looking to spend $1000, Boutique Mix caters to you. What's hot at boutique mix right now; what are people buying or buzzing about? Online, it’s all about the little black dress, ditto brand jeans and the Bamboo eco-friendly purses. For in-store shoppers, it’s definitely the Iris Design bracelets, the Miatta-MiMi necklaces and the Gypsy 05 organic dresses. What designers in your boutique are you absolutely loving right now? Definitely Gypsy 05. I have been a fan of their clothes for the last two years, especially their maxi dresses. Their clothes are eco-friendly and produced in a solar-powered factory using organic fabric and natural dyes. I notice that several celebrities have been wearing them all over the place. The maxi dress has been featured in Life & Style magazine and has been seen on Lauren Conrad, Christina Aguilera, Hayden Panetierre, and Denise Richards, to name a few. What inspired you to create the Miatta-MiMi line? I always wanted to create my own line of jewelry because most of the stuff out there is demure and dainty. I love big chunky wood, resin, whatever. After getting numerous compliments on the necklaces and bracelets I made for myself I decided to start the line. I wanted to create jewelry for women who love to stand out; women that wanted to own their look and women who felt comfortable and sassy enough to get noticed. Miatta-MiMi is definitely not for the faint of heart – the pieces are bold and funky. Dazzle at your own Risk. What's your favorite travel destination? Definitely Capetown, South Africa. I love the mountains, the beaches, the towns, the people and the culture. I feel at peace with myself, my work and life whenever I am there. Boutique Mix was born in Capetown. Italy is a close second!!!! Those Italian Men. Wooooo. What CD could be the soundtrack to your life? Definitely depends on where I am and what’s going on at any one time in my life. If I had to compile the CD soundtrack to my life it will be (1) Leeann Womack – I Hope You Dance (2) Cyndi Lauper – Girl’s Just Wanna Have Fun (3) Madonna – Holiday (4) R. Kelly – The Storm is Over (5) Brad Paisley – When I Get Where I’m Going (6) 2Face Ibidia – African Queen (7) Cyndi Lauper – Time after Time (8) Cyndi Lauper – True Colors (9) Celine Dionne – Because You Loved Me (10) Garth Brooks – Unanswered Prayers (11) Gloria Gaynor – I will Survive (12) Garth Brooks – The River **Bonus Tracks (13) Bob Carlisle – Butterfly Kisses (14) Luther Vandross – Dance With My Father
For a beautiful selection of eclectic and funky accessories and clothing, visit http://www.boutiquemix.com/ today! Boutique Mix, An International Ethnik Chik Kollection.
