Olivier Rousteing exits Balmain Recent Fashion News has been so overwhelmingly juicy I've had to pause our scheduled topics to interject because Olivier Rousteing just exited Balmain. WHAT!  I thought I was being pranked when I read the headline, when I think Balmain I think Rousteing. The French fashion designer has been the creative director for the past fourteen years, in what can definitely be called one of the longest and most iconic designer tenures in the 21st century.  When he was hired first for Balmain in 2009 he was just 23, and only two years later he was promoted to Creative Director at just 25! This living legend, he became the first Black creative director of a french maison, as well as the youngest designer to lead a Paris fashion house since Yves Saint Laurent himself - Breaking these kinds of records at 25 is pure lunacy.    Balmain was transformed completely under Rousteing's direction, going from a brand deep rooted in heritage to a brand reinvented by Rousteing to fuel new fashion generations for decades. His signature sculptural shoulders, golden hardware gilded embroidery and above all daring designs. He oozed uniqueness from every fibre of his being and will again I’m sure for another maison. Balmain will be reborn under a new creative direction which I am also excited for, however for now I am in mourning.  Via the Balmain Instagram Rousteing declared his departure, saying, “I am deeply proud of all that I’ve accomplished, and profoundly grateful to my exceptional team at Balmain, my chosen family, in a place that has been my home for the past 14 years,”  “As I look ahead to the future and the next chapter of my creative journey, I will always hold this treasured time close to my heart.”  Big things are coming for Rousteing and I’m ecstatic to see what he's got in store…  Anok Yai as Model of the Year Anok Yai Model OTY 25 After outrage last year when Alex Consani won Model of the Year instead of friend and colleague Anok Yai. She has finally got her moment to shine!  Capturing once more the attention of the fashion world as she received the British Fashion Councils Model of The Year Title for 2025. The announcement comes ahead of The Fashion Awards 2025, presented by Pandora, set to take place on 1 December at the Royal Albert Hall in London.  Back in 2017 Yai blew up overnight while attending a festival linked to her university, where street photographer Steven Hall snapped a photo and posted it to instagram. Within 24 hours she had a startling amount of modelling agencies begging for her attention, quite the achievement!  She then left her medicinal dreams behind and stepped into the limelight of fashion, quickly skyrocketing to fame through her many successful campaigns with the industry's best. She has long said as a dark-skinned black woman she feels she holds a responsibility to be a representative for younger black girls and she even writes clauses into her contracts about her natural hair! Pure icon behaviour.  My congratulations go to Anok Yai, and I am thrilled for her to accept her much deserved award next month at the Fashion Awards.  Timothee Chalamet worst Vogue Cover in History?  Timothee Chalamet is this month's Vogue cover star (American), and when this was revealed merely two days ago the fashion world got online rapidly to discuss the state of artistry that was published.  First of all let's rationalise, this is Vogue, not The Sun. Vogue cannot afford to have abysmal covers, and the rave reviews coming out have been pure entertainment! First of all he is bald.  Secondly, the image selected, of thousands may I add, shot by legendary photographer Annie Leibovitz (at this moment I’m questioning why?) Sees Chalamet in the stars, seemingly stood on top of the universe - quite the power play.  He is dressed in a flowing cream trench and florally embroidered jeans, which has me fuming because that is 100% my thing, and he is embarrassing me. He stares remarkably creepily through the camera, a smoulder attempt I fear.  Kylie, come collect your ‘world’ please.  A favourite comment of mine from the cover reveal was this, ‘Canva and ChatGPT had their moment here,' because they 100% did, AI was non negotiable involved unless they chartered a rocket for the day and left the planet - I wouldn’t be surprised with Kylie's billionaire budget.  My personal advice would be to ditch the buzz cut immediately because that is a SHOCKER! Also stop letting photos be taken without approval first because no way did he see that and say yes, publish that.  Praying for you Timmy xox  With Love,  Mimi x

The Little Black Dress: When I think of the Little Black Dress (LBD) my mind immediately goes to Coco Chanel. The 20th century phenomenon was after-all created by Coco herself! The simplicity of a good black dress never goes unnoticed. David Koma & Jacquemus Mini Dress Faves The LBD is a timeless, elegant staple required in every woman's wardrobe. If you are yet to find your staple Little Black Dress… keep reading.  The LBD is one of the most enduring and versatile clothing staples in fashion history. I cannot think of an item more translatable in fashion, and that's what makes it so iconic. Faves from Selfridges Many of us still aspire to find the perfect LBD, searching vintage racks, high streets and even flea markets for the perfect fit.  Over the Years:  Coco Chanel the revolutionary woman behind so much of fashion, and creator of the Little Black Dress in the 1920s! She was the first to regularly use black outside of a funeral setting, turning a dire colour into an everyday staple you HAD to have. An elegant staple in every woman's wardrobe - that still stands true to this day.  Perhaps unknown to some Coco Chanel began her career about 10 years prior to the LBD, at age 27 as a Milliner, it wasn’t until ten years later she gave her genuine genius to fashion - and in turn gifted the world with the iconic Little Black Dress. More Faves from Selfridges Throughout the 50s and 60s the LBD grew in popularity through cinema. Including Audrey Hepburn's iconic Givenchy number worn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961). This is probably the most notable moment for the LBD, and where its popularity spiked drastically.  Dress and Demand:  Of course as fashion trends came and went so did styles of the LBD, but the main focus was the same - a simplistic cut and a black colouring. Faves from Selfridges In the 70s perhaps some sequins were added, in the 80s perhaps a shoulder-pad, in the 90s we got back down to elegant silhouettes and sleek silks (thank god) The LBD will never go out of style, because of its neverending versatility. Dress it down, dress it up, accessorise it, let it speak for itself. High-heel, or flats? Bold jewels or simple statements? Office-wear or Cocktail time? The Little black dress effortlessly transitions between every scenario, allowing it to stay in wardrobes for decades.  The LBD has a rich history and therefore should be treated as an investment piece, just as you would invest in a bag or a watch, why not invest in a timeless LBD for future generations…  Here are some of Mimi’s more affordable picks: Favourites from Club L London In conclusion, the LBD is an icon, much like her creator. An iconic, and everlasting staple in fashion, that after doing this deep dive into I have a new found appreciation for. I myself have never properly invested into a good Little Black Dress, so I'm changing my ways - and I suggest you acquire your signature LBD as well. Throughout this deep dive, I've found some seriously good Little Black Dresses from a myriad of brands, and at so many price points, because thats .the beauty of the LBD, everyone can have one!!! With Black Friday coming up I fear i've been slightly naive to write this now, because tragically I have my heart set on the Zimmerman dress from Selfridges (above), heres hoping Selfridges miraculously drops the RRP by 75%... fingers crossed. With love, Mimi x

Me in the necklace I designed for Anthro! Last year, during my gap-year, I was eager to get as much physical experience within the fashion industry as I could. Desperate to not let the year go to waste, I tried to fill it with industry experiences that would enrich my progression into industry. I ended up spending June - September, spending time with my friends and travelling around Europe before they all headed off to their retrospective unis. When they all disappeared I of course had the classic ‘what am I doing?’ debacle, so I got myself a part time job. Working as a partner at Waitrose! It was during this three month period between September - December 2024 that I juggled Modelling,  part-time work at Waitrose, and my month long internship at Anthropologie as a Buying Intern. Which is what we are going to dive into today…  The How During my Year 13 (final year of college) I was told we had to partake in a two - week work placement, and knew I wanted mine to be in a dynamic fashion HQ in London. I began emailing loads of industry professionals, via linkedin, Mastheads, or simply google. I emailed so many people and I hate to be the bearer of bad news but only about 5% of them got back to me, of the 5% that replied most of them said unfortunately they don’t offer it.  I got two accepting responses, one of which was from a Senior Buyer at Anthropologie UK!! However by the time she responded I had already finished Year 13. She apologised profusely for not having responded at the time and was very eager, and open to the idea of me coming in to learn from her and her team, shadowing buying meetings, etc…  The When  We arranged the logistics, and came to the agreement I would come in for a month-long period on all my days off from Waitrose. Which ended up being 3 days a week with 1 day WFH (Hybrid set up - Much like most office jobs now).  I had never experienced a 9-5 before, as a freshly eighteen year old girl, so I was nervous for how long it might feel, and was I built for an office job? However it turned out to go ridiculously fast, which was largely due to the fact I enjoyed the work I was doing and the environment was thrilling for me.  The What  On my first day I strolled up 30 minutes early, too anxious to be late. The building itself is the URBN HQ on Brick Lane, in London. A beautifully capacious building, housing the entirety of the URBN Corporation - Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, and Free People. By the time I managed to navigate myself to the Anthro floor it was 9am, I met with the huge team, being given a tour of the entire building and ending up viewing the different teams within Anthropologie. There was Womenswear, Menswear, Homeware, and Womens Accessories & Cold Weather Buying & Merch, as well as Marketing & Communications teams - and finally an in-house studio where photography teams work regularly to take all Anthro ecomm photos.  It was within the Women’s Accessories & Cold weather buying team that I worked, I spent most of my time, doing largely the tasks below: Sample retrieval from the in-house post office. Sample sorting in the warehouse. Allocating samples for photography/ marketing.  Shadowing buyers in Supplier meetings/ buying sign offs. Trend forecasting powerpoints on many different categories e.g. Jewellery, Winter Accessories, Outerwear, Beauty, Denim (I worked occasionally on the womenswear buying team!) Examples of my trend forecasting: Of course as a buyer your main role is to be able to accurately predict and effectively produce products that your target consumer is going to want to buy - therefore providing a lucrative product for the company. It is also their job to think about how much of each product they should order, will it be a recurring purchase, what colourways, patterns, materials, packaging. Which supplier is best? So many things to think about!!! So my main role over my month was to do the research behind which their purchasing decisions would be made from. I focused largely on evaluating and analysing:  Upcoming Trends - Looking into pre-existing trends, will they have enough strength to stay for another season? As well as what trends are likely to come back in current seasons. Based on research into recent Fashion Weeks - what patterns, cuts, colours were used. How can they filter down from luxury into our pricepoint for our consumer? Industry Competitors - Reviewing the same category e.g. Outerwear at other retailers with multiple different price points, high street, mid market, and luxury. While also evaluating composition and design to decide where our price should lie in the mix!  Influencer Trends - Specifying on exactly what the current favourite influencers over Tiktok, Instagram, Pinterest etc are wearing as it filters down into mainstream shops.  More Examples of my Trend Forecasting I learnt so much from this placement and met so many amazing people along the way. One of which convinced me it is never too late in life to change your pathway! So many of the BAA, or BA’s (Buying Admin Assistant and Buyers Assistants) had degrees in something completely unrelated to buying or even fashion as a whole! One of the girls I got quite close with had a degree in History, but she realised after her degree that she wanted to work in fashion! Core Takeaways: One of the core moments while doing this internship was when I got to shadow the Senior buyer in a buying meeting, overhearing the entire discussion with an eyewear supplier. We discussed the profit margins, timelines, packaging, and which colour-ways worked - based on my trend forecasting! As well as a sign off I sat in on with the head of Anthropologie UK where we displayed our upcoming outerwear collection for A/W24 to them and they loved it!  The necklace I curated!!! And another one was when we were playing with a load of gold necklace chains that had arrived alongside a whole heap of charms, and my job for that day was to customise the chains to create a few necklaces that would then be sold in store if they liked them! And the buyer did like my design and ordered that necklace configuration from our jewellery supplier! It was crazy knowing that something I had just put together would now be mass produced and sold in stores.  On a completely separate note it was actually during one of my days at Anthropologie that I got the message from my modelling agent telling me to, “Call her ASAP!”, So I could meet with my Japanese Agency! I was sitting in one of the meeting booths at 10am on a Friday when I found out I would be going to Japan for 3 months - and then I had to play it cool for the rest of the day!  The Comeback... So Anthropologie definitely holds a special place in my heart! The entire experience was superb and I loved every second of it. Upon leaving, the team put together a whole hamper of old samples together so I got to leave with a new handbag, earrings, shoes, tops, and beauty. It was amazing!  The whole team were truly the loveliest, and we have since stayed in contact over social media. It is because of this that I’m now going back to Anthropologie this year! To help them again in a two - month long placement working within the Buying Department once more. Hence the article about my experience coming out of the woodworks over a year later!  I will of course be documenting that on the @itswithlovemimi Instagram and the @mimipiqua Tiktok, but above all else - right here on the blog!!! So keep an eye out for that.  With love,  Mimi x

The first Monday in May. Let's talk about it... The met gala is the one night a year where fashion fans worldwide are completely riveted, glued to our televisions, stuck with superglue to the edge of the sofa, mouths dropped, and eyes widening as each look comes by. From total theme failures and those that truly go above and beyond, I love it all.  The theme for the coming year usually gets announced from October, so I’m eagerly waiting, and with Vogue World 2025 now out the way it should be announced soon! So I'm here today to discuss what themes Mimi herself thinks could make it to the 2026 Met Gala. ... Surrealist Schiaparelli  Moodboard for Surrealist Schiaparelli Schiaparelli has truly taken over fashion in recent years, coming up with some of the most influential looks and also fashion moments over the past few years. A focus on the history of the house or just their entire vibe as a whole would be immensely well taken I believe! Imagine a dress code centered on their core aspect - surrealism! It would be magical. There are many avenues it could be taken in, focusing on Elsa Schiaparelli's surrealist, witty, and avant-garde legacy or focusing on current creative directors and their modern approach to the house! Do you go archival or modern? My answer would of course be to dig into the archives, because the Schiaparelli archive is something I can only envision as breathtaking. This theme would bring complete opulence and I think if the designers did it correctly, taking the essence of Schiaparelli on board throughout their process that it would be pretty difficult to have a disastrous red carpet moment! You'd hope. The Gothic:   Moodboard for The Gothic Now this is my favourite prediction, not only would it be spectacular, it would actually be very on brand with current events! From recent events in cinema, songs, fashion and media as a whole - gothic is back and clean girl is very much on the way out!  Even in recent movements from Vogue world: Hollywood, there was an entire Act dedicated to the gothic movement with Anok Yai dressed as Edward Scissorhands, very much channeling Tim Burton. Gabbriette and Amelia Gray also were giving gothic twins, coming out with black goth makeup and a dystopian zombie-esque walk! It was very cool and that moment solidified my prediction into the list. As well as this we have to think about upcoming cinema of course - Frankenstein! The Guillermo del Toro film coming out just next week, staring Jacob Elordi as Frankenstein's monster and Mia Goth as Elizabeth Lavenza. As an english literature nerd myself I am buzzing! Having studied it for two years over my A - levels I could go into immense detail on how much of a Gothic legend Mary Shelley is, but don’t fret, I will not bore you with that - this time.  On another note Wuthering Heights is also a good gothic piece, coming out early next year! All the dots link for this one, and the routes are endless. My main point is that gothic is so back! And it is so cool! I think potentially my exact wording on the label is too vague for the met gala but you get the gist. So many pathways yet again, designers could take it down a historical route - focusing on Byron, Shelley, Stoker etc… imagine your favourite celebrities dressed as Dracula, Jane Eyre etc…  But then again they could take it in a completely alternative route, focusing on a present goth, an IT girl goth if you will! Of course you’d have the boring looks here and there with people (mainly men) dressed in head to toe black to give the ‘gothic’ look, but I can guarantee there would be iconic looks left - right - and centre!  Celestial, Astrology & Magic  Moodboard for Celestial, Astrology & Magic A mystical, magical and supernatural approach could be really cool! With a focus on stars, and the expansiveness of the universe! Imagine the endless amount of ideas.  As someone with a design head on them my mind is already running away with itself, thinking about how this theme could be interpreted! You’d have celebrities showing up as planets of course, some even as the entire solar system, potentially even rockets, stars themselves naturally, the astrological avenues are endless. I can only imagine Kim Kardashian coming as a black hole (channeling her 2021 Balenciaga fully covered black look) lol. But not just that, from the celestial and magical side you’d also have people showing up as witches, wizards, sorcerers etc! The routes are endless for this one and the artistry would be criminally insane. I'm envisioning meticulous beadwork and hand embroidery detailing garments - I'm getting giddy just typing out these ideas! Ahh now I’ve convinced myself that this has to be the theme… Another good point to make is that of course not every look is going to be custom, there will also be a variation of archival pieces pulled from storage units, as well as pieces from this year's shows - I know for a fact this past season SS26 has some pieces that would work well with a starry theme, as well as of course Robert Wun Couture 2024 - which immediately popped into my head!   The Art of the Muse:   My Muses!!! Now this one is something I'm not sure the Met would do because it allows for almost entirely creative freedom, which could be risky... However I do think it would be legendary. Each attendee would have the opportunity to come as someone they consider their muse, role model, icon whatever you wanna call it!  I’m actually hoping they don’t use this idea because I need to build my way up, get invited, and then come as Audrey Hepburn. So if they would kindly consider postponing this theme until at least 2028 that would be ideal - thanks! The amount of icons that would be honoured and remembered in all their glory this evening would be nothing short of eye watering.  Imagine! You’d have someone dressed as Marilyn, others more niche, someone potentially even dressed as Anna Wintour herself - This would be the most iconic move EVER! The routes are endless and the archive would be legendary. The Kardashians would have an absolute field day dressing in ancient relics no doubt, but others would be doing the same. As long as everything is appreciated and taken care of I have no issues.  This one is a running favourite for me! Wow! Now I'm envisioning all the archives I’d pull if I were to dress as my muses, and which muse to pick! So many dresses, so many icons, so many of everything - the choice in itself would be overwhelming enough.  Countdown is on… As you can tell I am absolutely on the edge of my seat waiting to find out the theme and dress code for 2026, and even more eager for it to actually come around so I can stare in awe at the talent that goes into such a classical and meaningful event!  Do you agree with these categories? Which is your favourite? And of course… What do you think the theme will be? (Use the comment box below) If there were a met gala betting website I'd be putting a whole heap of money on Gothic being a lead contender for 2026!!! #investor #businesswoman #gonnabeamillionaire With Love,  Mimi x

current vibe Being a nineteen year old is truly not a joke. And a nineteen year old girl is a whole different discussion! You always hear about the nineteen curse, that supposedly something truly tragic and life altering happens to you when you are nineteen, but of course like all humans until it actually happens to you - you think of yourself as the one anomaly.  That was entirely true for me, I had my pathway lined up and thought I knew exactly what I was doing and where I was going. I’ve never once doubted my mind, so in parallel with that I never doubted my choices to get me on the path I have selected for myself.   That has completely changed now. Within the past three weeks I have felt more lost in my own brain than I ever wish anyone to feel. It is a horrible feeling, however, definitely made worse by the exceptionally ambitious goals I have set in stone for myself. My route may change but my destination is well and truly the same!  That route being that I no longer am a university student - I felt so equipped for this next stage of life, firm in my decision that the course I selected aligned with getting me to my final destination. However just three weeks in I withdrew from the course, not because of its intensity; but quite the opposite! I hadn’t learned anything in this period, and the establishment only gives three weeks trial to walk away without financial liability! Crazy!  Since making this decision I have of course debated further if it was the correct move for me, but have since stopped because it is all well and good to dwell on the past and question everything else I could have done such as choosing a different university! There isn’t anything I can do about it now, and I’m learning to embrace the fact I have another gap year.   You live and you learn, and in the past year of my life I can safely say I’ve lived more than a year's worth of activities. I feel like a cat with nine lives, and I’ve well and truly used them all.  Now that I can shine humour on the most emotionally turmoiling moments of my year let me share some thrilling statistics and fun facts from my nineteenth year of life… so far (bear in mind we are only 5 months into it!)  me in Budapest figuring out life Started university Withdrawn from university  Had my first kiss in over 9 years First one night stand (shocker) As you can see evidently from the list above I have done a full 180, however five panic attacks, lots of crying, stupid ideas, and complete life pivots later and you get to where I am now… A total sense of calm. Because it was never really that big a deal. I am an outrageous over-thinker, to the point that when I’m babbling to ChatGPT about my problems for free therapy it has to say, “you overthink too much”, a low point being called out by a literal robot.  I’ve since come up with a solid plan that makes me feel truly excited for my future, leading me to exactly where I need to be to accomplish my big dream, because I cannot start letting my nine year old self down now! That would be truly tragic.  The plan is to use this new found freedom wisely, never wasting a second, and depending on responses to internships and apprenticeships I’ve applied to we will see what next year holds! If the odds are playing to my favour I should have a few options hopefully - manifesting to the max.  The entire point of sharing my hardship this month is to not sugarcoat the fact that life is hard and not having all the answers is entirely fine - especially when you remember how young you are!  love this quote from Sylvia Plath! I am guilty of acting like nineteen is the new ninety. I know for a fact I didn’t feel fine two weeks ago - in fact I was so anxious I was vomiting (sorry TMI!) but in just a few weeks I’ve turned it around into a positive and if you are in a similar position take this as your sign that it DOES get better!!!  You can turn dirt into flowers, sea into salt, paint into art - frankly you CAN do anything! And do it on your own timeline - everyone else is in a different race so there’s no point trying to win. Find your calling and spend the rest of your life sharing it with the world. That is exactly what I intend to do. With love,  Mimi x

Vogue World : Live Review & Reaction Vogue world is the combination of film with a runway show. It is theatrical, cultural and performative in every way. With each year transforming a city into a stage where the latest runway pieces are displayed and performance takes over, there is music, cinema, couture, and storytelling. And this year we were given - Hollywood! Held in the Paramount Pictures Studios Lot in Los Angeles, of course dragging in an impressive audience including front row viewers Miley Cyrus, Hailey Bieber, Demi Lovato, Gwyneth Paltrow, Rita Ora, Dakota Johnson, Madison Beer, Sofia Richie and so many more!  Started off with an opening trailer from Maude Apatow, which quickly cut to scenes from Cynthia Erivo acting in a separate movie etc. Lots of advertisements placed all around - very good ad placement.  The entire theme of this year's Vogue World is Hollywood, and whatever was about to happen I knew they’d have a tough time beating last year's absolutely spectacular performance in Paris. It was so thrilling and cinematically enjoyable that people still talk about it now.  Watch the livestream here (if you haven't already!) - Opening Act: The Showgirl! Nicole Kidman led the entrance, wearing a custom Chanel gown inspired by Rita Hayworth’s iconic dress in the film Gilda (1946), as she seemingly is acting out a scene and then begins to be directed - by none other than Baz Luhrmann himself!!! He directed her with passion and experience through the lot as she comes into view to the audience. As if she were actually filming a movie scene, with all the audience seated in Director chairs. Already very strategic and very Hollywood.  The next yell of “ACTION” from Baz called for ‘KJ’ - Kendall Jenner, to come sweeping down the dysfunctional runway in the original bodysuit worn by Nicole Kidman in the film Moulin Rouge (2001), a full circle moment as Kidman had just walked before her. Kendall played ‘The Showgirl’ - opening Act 1 which was based heavily on the golden age of Hollywood with looks inspired by flappers, showgirls, and songbirds.  There have since been many comments about Kendall’s walk and its pace - as she was practically running trying to get her shift over with, but she looked wholly ethereal.  With the opening walk complete many more models came strutting out in pieces from the depths of designer archives, or even from the very cupboards of fashion houses as some looks were that of SS26 - just merely a few weeks old.  Every model walking with much more than usual, they were actors for the day - and they all took it very seriously. Included in this outstanding selection of models was Kyle MacLachlan who was met with a very impressive applause when he appeared graciously walking down the runway in a baby blue Tom Ford dressing gown, that was so iconic it could have been worn as his sunday best! Behind him, of course were more stars, including Adut Akech and the impossibly elegant Elizabeth Debicki. Act 2: A love letter to the Renegades And all of a sudden the tone shifts, as Act 2 takes centre stage with smoke machines and  ‘extras’ changing the setting who are still impeccably dressed start setting the scene for Anok Yai to make her acting debut as Edward Scissor hands. Anok Yai brought the theatrics, and certainly had her fun acting as Edward Scissorhands - someone get this girl an acting job!!  Gabbriette comes out in Schiaparelli, walking with an eerie atmosphere, as the camera cuts back to Anok who is cutting the audience's hair - really playing into the theme. Amelia Gray comes out as well, a twin to Gabbriette. The entire vibe of this Act shows the diversity of Vogue - going from Showgirls to gothic Renegades. Kodi Smit-McPhee did an amazing job playing the Mad Hatter, and as the act draws to a close we can see Anok giving Gabbriette a makeshift haircut in true Edward Scissorhands style, as Louise Jacobson stomped down the runway as Scissorhands in custom McQueen.  Act 3: Let them eat Cake  Act 3 was seemingly based on Marie Antoinette, with Julia Garner dressed elegantly as the Queen. Who then began skipping down the catwalk with unprecedented confidence. Dressed in Manolo, and channelling entirely Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette cult classic. As Alex Consani, and so many others followed Garner on the set with trays of pastries, rails of petticoats and lace, chandeliers and even glass slippers!  As the act continued LaKeith Stanfield continued the opulent vibe, as did the models coming behind him - including a whole Dior ensemble, one of which was my favourite baby blue woven dress by Jonathan Anderson SS26 and an elegant Greta Lee, all of which was Dior!  RIP Diane Keaton Tribute to Annie Hall Following the industry’s recent and heartbreaking loss of Diane Keaton, model Betsy Gaghan nodded to one of the legend’s most beloved looks from the 1977 rom-com, dressed entirely in Ralph Lauren which was pieced together specially for the occasion. As the sound of Keaton herself singing Carmen Lombardo and John Jacob Loeb’s “Seems Like Old Times” came in through the speakers. The audience were teary eyed and were very much in need of some tissues. Act 4: Gracie Abrams takes centre stage Kicking off act four, Gracie Abrams really brought the vibes as the entire set was moved once more with golf buggies and light fixtures being swarmed up. Abrams got loaded off a truck which held her band as she gave a sweet rendition of Carole King’s “I Feel the Earth Move”, before transitioning to her own song “That’s So True”. Gracies Performance was amazing! As models sporting looks inspired by a myriad of Hollywood Classics (Once upon a Time in Hollywood, A complete Unknown, Grease, etc…) swarmed all around her including Cara Delevingne in custom Marc Jacobs, and Lila Moss in Valentino, even Conan Gray, and Sombr who made their runway debuts!  Act 5: Bowie  Hunter Schafer came out with attitude and an energy that completely shifted the story, as she munched on an apple wearing Tilda Swinton’s plush period dress from the ravishing 1992 drama Orlando. She was joined by lusciously dressed jesters, knights, elegant ladies and above all - Jeff Goldblum who sparkled in Gucci and strutted as if his life depended on it!  Part of this ensemble had Alex Consani closing the act by running down the runway in couture Valentino made of a circle cloak with an oversized ruffle collar, complete with bloomers and a cream peasant blouse! Very Fab, to quote the icon herself!  Act 6: AfroFuturism  An all star cast came out and absolutely devoured the catwalk with Black Panthers core leader Dora Milaje channeled by Danai Gurira and Teyana Taylor. There was Jodie Turner - Smith in Diotima, F1’s Damson Idris in Dries Van Noten. This might be my favourite Act! It was confident and empowering - a total knockout. So much colour oozing from the outfits, cultural significance in each and every one. The artistry is honourable and insane to see. As Angela Basset came out as Queen Ramonda to close out the Act - some even rose to give a standing ovation. It was superb to watch.  Finale: Doja Cat X Dune  As the show draws to a close we see Loli Bahani come out in a Dune inspired look, followed by Angelina Kendall dressed in couture Maison Margiela. These looks were insane, Doja Cat sauntered in singing “Gorgeous” in a custom chainmail mini dress by designer Michael Schmidt. So many beautiful faces walked in Dune-esque clothes, directly juxtaposed by the opposite side wearing shimmering, ethereal gowns and garments - one of which was the fibre glass jacket from Bottega Veneta by Louise Trotter SS26!  In the show’s final moments, everyone returned for their bow - which was insane to look at via a screen, I can only imagine how overwhelming it would be to see that amount of talent and insane artistry in each and every look in real life!  To close the show entirely Luhrmann came back out as the audience was elated, declaring “It’s a wrap!” Conclude: Honestly I loved the set-up of this year's Vogue World, it was very much giving Hollywood Glamour - which in this state of the world sometimes comes across as the real life ‘Hunger Games’  , and I couldn't agree more, however from an entirely fashion obsessed viewpoint it was masterful in every way. Not better than Paris last year, but a close second!  Did you enjoy it?  With love,  Mimi x

A bit of a different one today! Mimi is taking a step back and our amazing marketing assistant Sofia makes her Journalism debut to explain her experience working behind the scenes at London Fashion Week at the Marques Almeida show! Written by Sofia Gething: Ever wondered what it’s like backstage at a fashion show? The preparation that goes on right up to the very second the show starts. The chaos that leads to the beauty of the final production. This September, I was given the opportunity to intern backstage at a London Fashion Week show, more specifically for the designer Marques Almeida. With no previous experience in the industry, only my knowledge I had learned from my first year at fashion college in London. I had no idea what to expect or exactly what I would be doing, however, I did know that this experience would be so incredible...  Arriving at the show location: Horizon 22 in Central London. Such a beautiful location for the show, being located on the 59th floor, the view, as expected, was breathtaking. As I arrived I was filled with such anticipation and the nerves were overwhelming! As I was waiting outside the building to be let in, I started speaking with some of the other interns who were just as nervous and excited as I was.  Walking into the location, the nerves soon turned to pure excitement as we could now see large light fixtures and seating arrangements being installed. I could see the artistry and meticulous planning of the show coming together.  Pre - Show Prep Scarves all laid out... After a while of waiting, nervously anticipating what we were going to be doing we were assigned roles to help prep for the show. I started by folding the colourful scarves that had to be perfectly laid in a colour coordinated pattern on each guest's seat.  After this, I was asked if I could iron and steam clothes, thank goodness for GCSE textiles, otherwise I wouldn’t have been any good at this! I felt the pressure of ironing designer pieces that, in a couple of hours, would be on the runway. I kept telling myself, ‘You really can’t mess this up.’ Luckily, everything was all good, no burns or marks - I had my fingers and toes crossed at all points!  Before the actual show, there is always a rehearsal run-through to ensure everything goes smoothly. And I was assigned to dress a model that had an outfit change during the show. I had to make sure I knew the quickest way to get the first look off and get the second look on, which was a beautiful butter yellow maxi dress, with an incredible bow on the shoulder.  During this time, I also helped other models get into their outfits, one of which was actually Mimi’s friend. (they are with the same agency. Small world!) As everyone in the team was rushing around, ensuring all the models were dressed. One of the designers, Paulo Almeida, came around and checked that he was happy with everything before the models took to the runway! It was truly exhilarating to be in this kind of environment for the first time.  15 minutes before the show started, all models were dressed in their looks, getting final adjustments made to hair and makeup. My model, Laura, whom I was assigned to, was one of the first in line to walk because of her outfit change after the first look. I kept telling her she was going to smash it.  The Debut Finally, the show was starting, I could hear the music echoing from the runway, and the models began to walk around the corner heading to the catwalk. Me and the other interns anxiously waiting for them to come back around, prepping their quick look changes.  In no time, she was back, and I had to be quick getting her heels off and into the next. I ensured the dress was placed perfectly and the bow was tied correctly, sitting exactly where it should on the shoulder. I held the train, walking her over to the queue once again, ready for the second round!  The second look! I felt so relieved watching her walk off, knowing everything went smoothly and the runway show was complete. Everyone in the team was so happy after the show, applauding the models and the designers as they walked backstage. The energy was electric.   After the show, I worked on getting my model back out of the outfit and packing away all the designs and shoes into suitcases. It took around 20 minutes to gather all the garments, heels, hangers and accessories, all together.  I was having such a good time I even offered to stay behind and help clear up the space, picking up any leftover water bottles and rubbish. And then, suddenly, it was over, I thanked the PR executive who hired me to be an intern as I was leaving. For the incredible experience and chance to help with the show.  The Follow - Up  I followed up with an email to the PR executive the day after the show to thank her again and express how much I would love to come back next season to intern if they would have me. She was very appreciative and said she would keep in touch for next time!  Overall, this was such an incredible and valuable experience to gain insight into the industry, and I'd really recommend putting yourself out there to get these invaluable experiences! I met some amazing fashion students who were also interning, and even some of the models - connecting with them on social media! Being a part of the show, even in a small way, was such an honour, and I would do it again in a heartbeat if the opportunity came my way again.  With Love,  Sofia x

VS held their historically famous and glamourised runway show earlier this week on the 15th October. After last year’s underwhelming revival following a six-year hiatus, all eyes were on VS to deliver the glitz, glamour, and girl-power fantasy we grew up obsessing over. Last year they commited many crimes including the slick backs - and a myriad of other criticisms which included the performances, makeup and even the selection of Angels themselves! They had lots to prove this year, yet again. With the public hopeful they would once and for all listen to their better judgement and give the people what they want!  Hair & Makeup  We were given a blow dry. Victoria’s Secret big bouncy classic blowout not seen anywhere! It was a blowout yes, but not much bounce going on. We needed more volume, more drama, and more 90s vibes. The hair fell a bit flat for my liking, it was giving a modernised blowout with less time in rollers - as if they were rushing, which we know cannot be true as the models all arrived 12 hours to the show time. The hair needs to be humongous because thats where all Victorias Secrets are kept! Duh! And it just wasn’t, however I can't complain because it was 100% better than last year.  The makeup was incredible, thank god. It was everything, it was soft, glowy and accented each and every model's natural features perfectly. With sparkly eyeshadow, accentuated cheekbones and glowy highlight on all the cheeks. I truly cannot complain about the makeup. It was nothing crazy because the focus is on the models and the show factor of course!  The Main Event - The Angels  The Angels this year somehow both disappointed and exceeded expectations - simultaneously?! Jasmine Tookes opened the show in true icon fashion: fully pregnant, draped in pearls, and sporting the most stunning 3D pearl wings. Insane. My best friend and I were gobsmacked when she turned to the side, because front on, that woman still has ABS. I aspire to glow that much while pregnant. And plus-sized divas absolutely owned this runway. Paloma Elsesser, Precious Lee, and Ashley Graham, among others, strutted in bejewelled bras and panties with feathered wings, serving confidence and glamour with every step. The VS Pink half-time show, however, sparked controversy. Influencers like Quen Blackwell and Gabriela Moura were invited to walk, leading to debates about whether Victoria’s Secret is the right platform for influencers. Some fans argued they should stick to their own fields instead of stepping into modeling. Totally understandable. But honestly? If I had an excessive follower count and got invited to walk for VS, I wouldn’t say no, and neither would you. You can’t blame them for seizing the opportunity. The nepo baby trend was also out in full force, with Iris Law and Lila Moss on the runway. Again, I get it, because if I were them, I’d jump at the chance. Still, it’s frustrating that opportunities like this often come simply from being related to someone famous. Their walks were fine, but let’s be real - their main skills seem to revolve around travelling, living the high life, and eating mangoes. Dream life, honestly. Angelina Kendall also made her VS debut in multiple looks and had some of the most gorgeous wings ever! She had the most amazing m onochromatic pink look with petal wings shooting straight from her back. A breathtaking entrance that set the standard for many to follow - she clearly knows how to walk. Amelia Gray was one to watch. Her first look… let’s just say it looked like her butt cheeks were being forcibly flossed. But her second look? Absolute heat. Bending over at the end of the runway with a cheeky smirk, she gave a moment that online fans are calling iconic. I’m not entirely convinced though - whoever was to her right probably had a little too clear a view. Barbara Palvin Sprouse, of course, had the love and support of husband Dylan Sprouse cheering her on. Jealous! She looked unreal in an orangey gold dress with a low back, followed by a second outfit of silver, jewelled angel wings. ICONIC. Clearly, a loving man does wonders for your glow. Bella Hadid had only just emerged from intensive care for Lyme disease a few weeks prior, yet she also delivered two looks: a killer red lingerie set and a sparkling all-white tassel ensemble. The wings weighed over 22kg, and you could see her struggling, quite ruthless considering she just left hospital! Gigi Hadid was equally impressive, serving multiple looks and wing variations with her usual poise. Irina Shayk slayed in a baby pink lingerie set adorned with bows, paired with a burlesque-inspired headpiece full of feathers, she looked almost bird-like. And yes, there were some wings this year that were pure 3D-printed bird energy, entirely extra and entirely mesmerising. Adriana Lima brought drama in multiple looks but wisely didn’t overshadow others, letting fellow Angels shine. Her walk wasn't as Adriana as it could have been! Other notable names strutting the runway included Adut Akech, Alessandra Ambrosio, Alex Consani, Angel Reese, Anok Yai, Barbie Ferreira, Emily Ratajkowski, Joan Smalls, Liu Wen, Suni Li, Yumi Nu, and more. But we'd be here for hours if I listed every detail! (Alex Consani ate down though) The Performances… I did no prior research and blocked the VS socials so I would be fully surprised by the musical lineup… and I was but for the wrong reasons. Where was Tate McCrae? They played a recording of one of her songs, but couldn’t be bothered to book her live? Instead we were left with a rouge 10 minute Missy Elliot concert that didn’t involve any Angels and was so boring.  Karol G and Madison Beer both sang beautifully but again it was nothing beyond amazing, we needed theatrics, drama and the same vibe as Justin Timerlake for VS 2006.  Don’t even get me started on Twice - K-Pop legends (I’m so out of touch with K-POP, so i assumed they were Black Pink - because they played during the VS Pink half - time show! Makes sense right?) They sounded either really nervous or they usually sang with lots of auto tune. I was not a fan.  Watch the entire show here - Overall Of course it will still be my version of the Superbowl, but mainly because I’m a British Girl and the Superbowl in no way excites me. VS are slowly redeeming themselves, and the collection itself was so cool and very sexy as per. But we all know these shows aren't mainly about the collections, and are instead about the performative dramatics of it all.  The anticipation, the adrenaline and the community of it all! Girls (mainly) all around the world stay up late, wake up early, etc to be able to watch this event and we are slowly getting closer to the icon levels of prior years! So excited to see what 2026 brings for VS once they take on board this years criticisms.  With love,  Mimi x

Let's talk Vintage. I am a lover of all things vintage, I live, breathe and sleep thinking of my next vintage buy and i am loving the increase in recent years for the growing appreciation of vintage pieces. Which I think stems from celebrities increasingly using their connections to wear archival collection looks. At all levels of fame we are seeing more and more appreciation for designer archives. I mean even on love island this year Maya Jama was wearing vintage Roberto Cavalli and Versace on multiple occasions. Personally I am 100% for this revival and want to use today's blog post to debrief the best places to browse and buy vintage, my thoughts on investment pieces, which designers are worth the money, and the vintage capital of the world - Japan. If you were unaware of this fact. Get to know! Starting off strong with a website I devote probably a full time work week to. The Real Real , an American based internationally worshipped designer re-seller. Covering pretty much all the bases from womenswear, accessories, homeware, menswear and even kidswear.  The RealReal: A Digital Treasure Trove this is me dreaming big and putting a birkin in my shopping cart - dream large ladies xx I actually discovered this treasure chest of vintage after seeing a Tiktok in 2022 of a ridiculously wealthy Beverly Hills icon buying an engagement ring from The Real Real just for the fun of it. She said she wanted it because it’s a nice diamond, I cannot blame her for that. So obviously I was influenced and I headed straight over to the website to look for my own diamonds - ended up buying a bag instead oops.  Coming from a UK gal myself the shipping may be a put off if you are a UK or EU girlie - it is a little crazy! I have actually only ordered once from their website (full disclosure shipping is about £50 to the UK). Which I think is totally justifiable if the value of your order is enough or the product is expensive and the shipping isn’t adding much to the total. But I have to hand it to them, their prices are really competitive and sometimes you can even score some insane prices on designer vintage! Up to you whether the shipping seems worth it for the item. They by far have the best selection, with weekly launches of tens of thousands of products they rival every other vintage re-seller, in my opinion. I just wish they had a UK warehouse so shipping would be your usual £3.99!  Below I've put together a few of my most favourite finds all from therealreal.com :   The prices really are insane because tell me why some resellers are selling Birkin 30s for upwards of 20k (which The Real Real also does have some in this price range) and this beautiful brown one is only £7k!! Investment pieces are serious business - see more below. And the Manolos ! They are an absolute gem to have found! If only it wasn’t going into Autumn, they are the perfect summer kitten heel. Crying. The rolex being only 3k is criminal, and don't even get me started on the Roberto Cavalli Vintage long skirt - I fell in love immediately, and even though £775 price tag may feel like a lot The Real Real puts the estimated RRP next to it so it still is less than half price! You genuinely would think this is an advertisement, but I'm just ridiculously passionate about good designer prices. What is REALLY worth investing in Of course you will all have heard of investment fashion, however in recent years the Birkin movement has truly excelled. New reports prove that Hermes Birkins and Kellys are better investments than Gold!! Running to go tell my Dad! They hold such strong investment value due to their enduring popularity, limited availability, and high resale value. If you are looking for a way to convince your partner, dad, mum, sister, brother, granddad, grandma to invest in fashion just tell them that fact and i’m sure they will be on board in no time!  In my personal opinion, there are so many additional ways to use fashion pieces as reliable investments. Vintage pieces from the 90s and 2000s are becoming more sought after and you can buy to sell with large profit margins nowadays! The Real Real has some pieces with killer prices! As shown above a 2000s Marc Jacobs Denim Jacket for only £60?!? Don’t get me wrong you do have to hunt for these prices; they aren’t all shown on the front page of the website. However I really believe investing in vintage is such a good way to prolong the longevity of a piece's lifetime, allow your money to grow until you are ready to sell, and keeps the item out of landfill. Helping the environment while in the process of looking exceptionally stylish. That's a literal dream. Designers With Long-Term Value Do not quote me on this as it is my personal opinion mixed with an educated guess (which i think is quite reliable in regards to all things fashion) I am going to provide you with a list of designers I think could bring you investment rewards if you let them appreciate in value over time:  Celine - Absolute classic! Known for their minimalist, cult-status pieces from the peak 2010-2018 era which are highly coveted. Vintage Celine pieces are like little chunks of gold. I love the elegance of Celine and honestly believe the older the fashion house gets the more the items will appreciate in value. Chanel - Chanel classic flap bags (the most classic style) retain from 85 - 115% of their value, meaning you shouldn’t ever lose money on your investment. Making it more reliable than most other methods of investing currently! Over the past decade, values have risen by 72%! In 2001 you could buy a Chanel classic flap for $1600 and nowadays they start at about $11,000. WILD. Hermes -  Birkins and Kellys are the most obvious on the fashion scene and they retain usually 110 -150% of their retail price; and some rare styles such as Himalaya Birkings can retain value of up to 500%! They do this because of how ultra limited they are, the fact they are meticulously handcrafted, and of course Hermes has long-standing prestige.  Dior -   Another classic obviously, however ​​they have such iconic styles with a deep history, often reissuing pieces to bring nostalgic appeal. The pieces tend to retain from 75 -105% in value, particularly styles with historic relevance such as the Lady Dior which benefits from historical ties to Princess Diana , appreciating more and more in value the further in the past her death gets. Obviously there are so many more designers that you could love and spend your money on and they will also have a high retention rate. However if i listed them all i’d be here for hours so i’m going to move onto discussing one of my favourite topics - Japan. Vintage shopping in Japan is renowned globally and for good reason. I’m going to tell you about my experience and why you should definitely make the trip over.  The Vintage Wonderland of Japan Japan is WILD. Vintage shopping is of course popular online as you can do it from the comfort of anywhere. However Japan needs an honorary mention for the mindblowing vintage shopping scene. In Tokyo the vintage was at a different level. My eyes were pleased to see Birkins and Kellys multiple times a day in hundreds of vintage shops - I actually debated buying one but thought potentially at 18 years old it could give the wrong impression so I thought better make myself wait. #birkinby25 I was in Tokyo modeling for 3 months and basically spent every spare minute I had in the vintage shops/ flea market finding the vintage goodies they had on offer! Below I’ve added a few pictures I took of pieces I wanted to buy but ultimately didn’t - which I regret to this day! (I will convert the incredible prices from Yen to Pounds for you don’t worry) The Vivienne Westwood knit was only £200, they had Birkin bags for 5 -10k, Chanel bags galore, interlocking cc’s everywhere the eye could see, and even these were exceptionally priced! They had a vintage 2000s brown Chanel bag (shown above) that genuinely my heart loved, but it was £2000 ish.  Louis Vuitton vintage kitten heels for £300, Chloe Paddington for £400,  Dior kitten heels for £90 - these I died for but they were a size 3 and I am very much a large footed individual so couldn't participate in most of the spectacular Japanese footwear finds. And if you are sat there thinkig 'but what if they are fakes' Japan is one of the strictest countries on reselling laws and everything has to be vetted and authenticated! My Own Vintage Steals And of course what's better than what I didn't buy? What did I buy? I came back from Japan very much richer in the world of vintage. I bought:  Yves Saint Laurent cream Blazer for £25.  Acne Studios baggy washed jeans for £60.  Prada slouchy brown leather vintage bag for £85. Genuine fur vintage coat for £8 - this is my find of the century i will never shut up. Miu Miu denim blazer for £40 Hermes interlocking H bracelet - £25 Italian designer vintage cropped jacket - £15 Burberry wool knit turtleneck jumper - £20 Ralph Lauren Wide leg jeans - £5 Yves Saint Laurent, Loewe, Comme de Garcon & Dior ties - £5 total. WHAT.  JW Anderson Wool jumper - £5  What on earth? I almost had a heart attack reminiscing on those prices. I came back with over 10k worth of products that I paid under £300 total for. Japan is the place to be for vintage. The flight alone pays for itself when you are getting such steals! However if you aren’t looking for a trip then The Real Real remains my # 1 website for online vintage finds.  Where Else to Shop I have left below a few links to other reputable vintage resellers i find helpful and with good prices -  Sign of the Times London - https://signofthetimeslondon.com/ The Handbag Clinic - https://www.handbagclinic.co.uk/ What goes around comes around - https://www.whatgoesaroundnyc.com/ Skyscanner - For that ticket to Japan… https://www.skyscanner.net/ Hope you found this helpful and a bit inspiring for what you might want to shop, browse, adore, or invest in next.  With love, mimi xox

Now that the fashion shows are all finished up, I can now freely reveal that I interned for a Paris Fashion Week designer! It wasn’t paid. It wasn’t glamorous. But it taught me more than any runway ever could - although I walked a runway too AHH (still not over this!) Picture this: it’s the 24th of August. I'm scrolling on Instagram when I spot a story from a London-based designer: “EMBROIDERY INTERN – London based, starting ASAP. Send photos of your work to this email.” Now the designer in question I have to give some backstory to. I first heard of her through modelling.  As a model, castings are a regular thing. But nothing compares to the chaos of Fashion Week. For those who are unfamiliar, a casting isn’t a booking. It’s basically an audition,  typically involving: Hours of waiting No food, no water Hundreds (if not thousands) of equally beautiful, slim people An overwhelming air of rejection Either 100 degrees or -100 degrees I’m talking castings 9am - 9pm. It’s rough.  Now, this particular casting was last year. I was studying my absolute brains out when an email came in from my agent asking if I could attend a request casting for a S/S25 London Fashion Week show. As usual, I looked up the designer’s Instagram - about 7k followers, quirky but cool. But with exams just starting that week, I made the smart (but painful) decision to stay home and study. Since then, I've followed her account. The show I turned down ended up being a hit -  her brand grew to 30k followers and got featured in Vogue Runway . (Naturally, when I saw the models in Vogue , I hated myself a bit.) Now, roughly a year has passed and I haven’t thought about her since… until I saw that Instagram story. Which is where the truly captivating part of the story begins.  The questionable hiring process - Upon seeing the advert for the intern position I was elated because I love adding to my CV and knew it would be a great opportunity! I figured, why not? So I emailed her with the details she requested. No response. Being the impatient character I am, I waited 20 minutes, got antsy, and texted the number on her website. Oops. To my surprise, I got a reply in 15 seconds, saying: “Hired. Come Tuesday to trial for a day.”  Um Iconic. My pushiness paid off -  I had an internship. She was vague on details, but I knew the show was for PFW, so the max duration would be around six weeks. We agreed I’d start at 1pm Tuesday. I spent the remainder of Sunday and all of Monday religiously practising my embroidery like my life depended on it. I barely slept Monday night from anticipation. After a mere 5 hours of unsuccessful sleep it gets to Tuesday and I get ready to leave.  It’s 11am. I’m ready, makeup on, hair done, bag packed. Then I get a message: “I’m really hungover. Can you do tomorrow? Really sorry.”   (The first red flag.) I was initially annoyed by the situation but said sure. I asked what time. “9am.”  Great. Thanks for the peak-time train ticket.  Day 1: Wednesday the 27th of August. I’m up at the crack of dawn, heading into central London. I arrive at 9am. Only to be greeted by no one. I wait. It was 9:30 when she finally showed up. Not exactly what i was expecting if i’m being honest. Her hair looked... lived-in (let’s say that), and the studio was the size of my bedroom. There wasn’t much wiggle room if you know what i mean!  I’m greeted by two other interns, the designer, her assistant, and the dress we’d be working on: a structured silk gown with built-in exaggerated hips, a metre-long train, and it was being covered, painstakingly, in poker chips.  said poker chips (sewn by moi) Poker chips! It was actually a pretty cool concept, but the execution? Beyond tedious. I was given barely any instruction. One of the other interns, a kind Japanese student, explained the system: sew the chips with minimal white fabric showing, following a specific colour pattern - yellow, white, blue, green, red, repeat. I threw myself into it, and got a whole row done on the bodice by the time the designer managed to tear herself away from her phone. She came over, inspected it, and decided I had sewn them on a little bit too low to the row previous. She cut them all off. Fair enough. Let me do it again. An hour later, she looked again. Now I’d apparently sewn them too close to the row above. She cut them off. Again. Bear in mind she has spent the last hour organising the details of the PFW show. Complaining about having to pay her hair stylist, calling models  “too ugly,” “too beautiful,” or “a nightmare but cheap,”  and finishing with, “Models are all dramatic and full of themselves.” Lovely.  Observing this as a model myself, and one who had rejected a casting for her - I felt very at peace with that decision after hearing how bad she spoke about models behind closed doors! Although it was shocking to hear this from a designer, I didn't let it totally put me off because I was doing this to expand my CV, nothing to do with my modelling side.  Still, I kept sewing. Third time’s the charm. Sewing them on in pretty much the exact same place as I did the first time. And guess what? She says it is perfect, so I move onto my second row. Finally! We broke for lunch. I finally worked up the courage to ask if the internship was paid. Nope. I asked if travel could be covered. She agrees and says that is completely understandable. (Yay - or so I thought.)  my evidence of sewing... After lunch, we stitched poker chips for another 5 hours. By the time I get home it's 9pm, my family of course harassed me for details, and even though I know It wasn't the best I said it went well to avoid any concern. I message to ask when i'm next needed in. She doesn’t respond to any of my messages for about 24 hours! Ridiculous. Finally, she said I could come Friday. I messaged to once again confirm she’d cover my travel, just so I had it in writing. No response. (As i'm writing this the show has come out and when I messaged to congratulate her, only then did she reply to my message and offer to cover my travel - 6 weeks later - but better late than never!) Day 2: Friday, August 29th  I arrived at 10:45am. She wasn’t even there. She and her assistant were at Notting Hill flea market, selling items to raise money for the show. It’s just me and a new intern - a sweet Chinese student who didn’t speak much English. Due to this it was fairly difficult to communicate on who was working on which bit of the dress. She worked on the back of the dress, I took the front. I browsed her section and she was sewing the agreed poker chip pattern completely wrong! Fully going with the beat of her own drum. It still looked cool. Just… not fully symmetrical. I knew judging by how strict the designer was my first day she wouldn’t let this slide. The garment looks really cool and 95% fine to me but it isn’t strictly following the pattern because of the working on different sides.   By 4:30, they had returned. She was wearing a sweat and coffee stained t-shirt. She praised our progress, which was short-lived, as she then began loudly criticising the work. She was criticising everything! Then she took scissors and started cutting everything off. Eight hours of work. Gone in seconds. My blood felt like it had actually boiled. She goes  “why didn’t you follow the pattern?”, “there is too much white showing!” “why didn’t you pin the chips on?”  Excuse me??? I’m an unpaid intern. You’ve barely communicated with me, never even describing the task at hand, and only a handful of times looked up from your phone. You’re shouting while doing the absolute least. I had had enough by this point. So I stood up for myself.  We can’t pin the chips on first before sewing because they fall immediately off the dress when it moves. She tries to do it. They fall off the dress - like I said.  She says why didn’t you follow the pattern, I said I DID! I explained that also the dress’s shape made it impossible to keep it perfectly even. And in response to the white comment, I didn’t even dignify that with an answer because tell me right now how there is too much white showing in the image? I already was outraged by the blatent disrespect and was fed up with being talked to like that. I decided then and there - I wouldn’t message first. If she wanted me back, she’d have to say it.  She never did. Neither did I. THE dress! Show Day: Now when the show came around I was of course curious to see the dress I worked on make its debut! The show happened on September 29th at 9pm, the first day of Paris Fashion Week, it was held in a private club and actually looked really cool! That made me jealous and wished I had stayed and had a good experience. But what made me more jealous was that Vogue Editor Julia Hobbs unexpectedly made her runway debut for the designer! Crazy! I love Julia Hobbs and seeing her walk in a show I could have potentially been at, was a hard pill to swallow! Final Thoughts Unfortunately the fashion industry glamorises struggle. Unpaid internships like this one have been far too normalised. I took time out of my week. I worked hard. I redid every stitch that wasn’t my best, and still wasn’t acknowledged. Instead, I was met with disrespect, disorganisation, and manipulation. But I stood up for myself. I pushed back when criticism was unfair. And I chose not to go back. Because no experience, not even Paris Fashion Week, is worth lowering your self-respect. The funny thing is I thought something like this might happen that day,  so I stitched my initials (in the white thread we used) very small into the dress under one of the poker chips. Good luck finding it!  With love, Mimi x