Meet Mimi Wade, the 24-year-old Central St Martins grad, turned certified designer, who's getting the last word in on how to do modern party dresses. Mimi's name should be the first on your lips when you're chatting about London's most promising new fashion designers considering her SS17 showcase is just over a month away, during LFW this September.
Mimi is the Fashion East-approved, clothes cutter du jour, who is singlehandedly bringing the glamour, sparkle, decadence and debauchery of 1950s Hollywood to London, now. How? Well, for starters Mimi's practically Hollywood royalty what with her muse, her grandma Pamela Curran, having been a starlet herself – she featured in the cult 1950s B-movie The Blob and the fêted TV series I Dream of Jeannie. Add into that cookie-mix, Mimi's bombshell good looks (she used to model) and knack for getting the most sultry leading ladies into her deconstructed lace-slips – Lana Del Rey and Pamela Anderson are fangirls.
Her slip dresses are a riot of old movie posters, illustrations and pretty lace trims made over in acidic colour palettes. Mimi's women always appear like fabulously bored, beehived housewives on the brink of wreaking havoc on unfaithful husbands, all the while, opera gloves in place. Getting the picture?
Beyond Mimi's wonderfully overblown designs, we're also crushing on Mimi for her own inimitable personal style too; think Britney Spears bunchies, platformed Mary Janes, over-sized T-shirts worn with feather boas and a healthy stash of fishnets to hand. Delicious, no?
Here's what makes London's most stylish lady tick tock....
Name, age, location
Mimi Xenia Talulah Wade, 24, Fashion Designer
Do you collect anything?
Soft Porn lenticular postcards from the 1970s.
What item of clothing are you still hunting out?
A pair of '90s Platform Mary Janes
How would you sum up your style in three words?
Feminine and cute with a low-key sense of humour
Photo: Via @mimi.wade.
What’s your favourite pair of shoes?
A pair of vintage Kenzo square toe cream leather slingbacks my mum found for me at a car boot sale. They have a very modern, angular plastic heel.
If you were an item of clothing, what would you be and why?
One of my silk satin slip bias cut slip dresses. Clingy and expensive.
Favourite item of clothing you’re currently wearing?
My Bonnie PJ Trousers, they’re so comfy but you look like you’ve made an effort because of the print and the lace appliqué.
Photo: Via @mimi.wade.
If you had to wear one designer for the rest of your life, who would it be?
Me!
What do you love about the city you live in?
I love all my friends in London, I love the amazing Art colleges and the kinds of people the city attracts. It’s an incredibly multicultural city. I love that we have so many museums and exhibitions that are free to visit. There is no city in the world that is as supportive of creativity as London. It has bred so many greats, it’s history is so rich.
How does it impact your style?
I feel confident enough in London to wear whatever I want with very little judgement from others.
Photo: Via @mimi.wade.
Where’s your favourite place to shop?
The Market in Saint-Ouen (Paris) is my favourite place to shop in the world. I could spend two days there.
What’s your most important beauty rule?
More is more!
Favourite make up product and why?
Mac Lip Glass because it’s so plastic and gloopy and makes me feel like a sexy android. I sometimes mix it with glitter pigments for even more 3D sparkle.
Weirdest beauty trick you’ve ever tried?
I used to put vaseline on my eyelashes when I was younger as someone told me it would make them grow?
Photo: Via @mimi.wade.
Who do you stalk on Instagram?
Too many people.
What's your favourite picture you've posted on Instagram?
I like posting old pictures I have of my granny.
What keeps you up late?
Running my own fashion brand!
Where are we most likely to find you on a Friday night/ Sunday morning?
Currently: In bed or in the studio.
Your biggest achievement to date?
Wining the support of Fashion East for a second season.
Photo: Via @mimi.wade.
What’s your favourite thing to cook?
I’ve been making a lot of parmigiana melanzane recently. I love it because it’s so easy!
Your book club recommendation?
I would probably go with a classic like Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier.
Where’s your happy place?
My bed.
Your motto?
Life is beautiful, without it you’d be dead.
Photo: Via @mimi.wade.
What do you want from your career?
I want to be able to do what I love.
Where will you be in ten years?
I would like to be in a position where I can employ a team and and have our own shop.
Who makes you laugh?
My best mate Harriet Verney, and my boyfriend have me laughing a lot.
What quality do you most admire in other people?
Kindness and determination.
What’s next?
London Fashion Week in September where I will be showing my SS17 collection with Fashion East ! Beep Beep!
Photo: Via @mimi.wade.Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
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