Today, the fashion world lost one of its greatest custodians of beauty. Valentino Clemente Ludovico Garavani has died at the age of 93. A man who dedicated his entire life to elegance, craftsmanship, and the pursuit of beauty in its purest form. Or, in his own perfectly unapologetic words: “I love beauty. It’s not my fault.” Born on May 11, 1932, in Voghera, a small town in northern Italy, Valentino was never destined for anything ordinary. From childhood, beauty obsessed him – cinema, couture, glamorous women, and the romance of Parisian fashion filled his imagination long before he ever sketched a dress.  He was famously indulgent in his tastes even as a boy, insisting on custom-made shoes and cashmere sweaters, already living the values that would later define his career. ICONIC behaviour from the get-go! Beautiful things, he once said, had followed him since he was ten years old. At just 17, Valentino left Italy for Paris to study at the École des Beaux-Arts and the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne, immersing himself in the discipline and precision of French haute couture. Paris taught him restraint, Rome gave him romance – and the combination is what led to the unmistakably legendary Valentino. In 1960, he opened his own atelier in Rome. The early years were not easy; success was hard-won and precarious. But fate intervened in the form of Giancarlo Giammetti, whom Valentino met in 1960. Their partnership - professional and personal - lasted a lifetime.  Giammetti steadied the business; Valentino created the vision. Together, they built one of fashion’s most enduring houses. What a brilliant partnership! The world truly took notice of his immense talent in 1962, when Valentino showed in Florence to international acclaim. From that moment, his aesthetic crystallised: refined silhouettes, peerless craftsmanship, and a devotion to femininity that never veered into provocation. And, of course, there was red.THE red. Valentino Red, a colour always present in his collections “for good luck.” Throughout the 1960s and 70s, Valentino dressed women who defined power and elegance: Jacqueline Kennedy, Elizabeth Taylor, Sophia Loren, Princess Margaret. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis became his most devoted muse, once declaring, “Valentino: Live a hundred years!” Which he almost did. While others chased shock, Valentino remained loyal to grace. He believed a woman should cause heads to turn when she entered a room - not through spectacle, but through only beauty. Valentino retired in 2008 after a final couture show in Paris, closing nearly five decades at the helm of his house. He stepped away reluctantly, uneasy with fashion’s increasing corporatisation, but his legacy was already untouchable. Even in retirement, he continued to sketch, to curate beauty, to live surrounded by it - it wasn’t a job for him, it was his life and his soul.  Valentino Garavani did not simply design clothes. In an industry obsessed with turnover and speed his work has always stood firm in the fact true luxury is timeless. That elegance does not need reinvention. That beauty, when pursued with conviction, will always endure. Thank you Valentino for dedicating your life to share the importance of beauty and elegance. You will not be forgotten. RIP VALENTINO GARAVANI   With love, Mimi x

Boy do I have an update for you… after weeks of holding it in I am thoroughly delighted to tell you all that I’m headed to Seoul, South Korea on a ten week modelling placement! How bloody exciting!  If you are a dedicated/ loyal reader of ‘With love, Mimi’ you may well be aware that last year I went to Tokyo, Japan on a ten week modelling placement that (not to be dramatic) changed my life. The experience for me was indescribably unique and left me with a severe sense of emptiness upon my return.  Of course since my return to the UK ten months ago I’ve travelled, lived, laughed and cried, and yet nothing I do can even remotely compare to the abundance of happiness I felt in Japan. Within that modelling placement I did things I never thought I would do, and lived an entirely alternate existence that was so enlightening my view of the world changed. The point is I changed as a person in more ways than one and I’m so grateful to have lived it. Now I completely understand I sound like a lunatic to anyone who doesn’t know me personally because it's been ten months and I still won’t shut up about it but the point is that I am hopeful that Korea will also hold an abundance of brilliant memories for me. Let's keep our fingers crossed!  Which brings me to the topic of today's post… filling you in on the preparation process for going on a modelling placement. The Contract:  Last March the groundwork was put down by an agency in Seoul when they expressed their interest in having me over for a placement. Now as I was in Japan at the time I was too scared to go immediately to Korea and be without my family for four months, so I politely declined.  I can't wait to find my soul again in Seoul! Again in June they requested again and stupidly again I said no. In hindsight I’m not even sure why but I think Korea just scared me slightly. Thankfully my best friend then headed off to Korea for three months and after using her thoroughly as my guinea pig she vetted it as an amazing experience.  So I have now agreed and discussed details with the agency, meaning that almost a year later I am set to head to Korea in about a month - and I get to go with that same friend! Which is so fun because we will be able to live together and experience it together.  The measurements: Before finalising contract details you have to go through the humbling experience of having every single inch of your body measured. Something I’m now quite used to, however, when they do the most absurdly specific measurements such as the width of my neck or the distance between each toe. I am always weirded out by it because what could you possibly need my toe measurements for?!?!? WILD. Earlier last week I had these measurements done and I defintitely didn't dress corrected because my baggy jeans were not cutting it! So of course I had to strip. I also hadn't realised how strict the Koreans are so my big scar on my elbow became a bit of a problem, but thankfully it was sorted with minor back and forth and everything was confirmed!  The dreaded haircut discussion:  It was after this measuring session my agency sat me down and gently expressed the need for a haircut. I'm strangely attached to my hair and any time they’ve pitched a significant chop before I have said NO and run away screaming (not literally, come on guys I am a professional - kinda.) my inspo So this time they pitched a two-inch trim and I was super chill with this. However later that day when they sent over an image of me with a big line drawn at boob level, marking a seven-inch chop not two-inches I stared in complete puzzlement. After a complete meltdown I realised they have my best interests at heart and think this haircut will get me more work, so I guess I’ll see you with significantly less hair in a few weeks.  The VISA:  Now it’s time for the dreaded VISA application to be filled in and sent off. The VISA marks the 100% confirmation that you are able to go on the trip but securing a VISA, particularly a working one to any Asian country is actually very difficult because they are quite strict.  manifesting The Korean embassy also doesn’t even exist in the UK so I have to send my passport to Germany in order to get it approved - keep your fingers and toes crossed for me! I plan on bringing you all with me as I step into this new modelling experience so please stick by me and keep up to date.  With love,  Mimi x

In recent months I personally have felt as if the world is kind of collectively going through a wake up call - or maybe it's just Gen Z. Not sure, but whatever it is I think collectively people are becoming a lot less interested in how their life looks to others and far more interested in how it makes them feel.  my idol A movement I am in total support for because for a second I felt as if I were living within a largely brainwashed community.  In this blog post today we are going to talk about how if you have suddenly had the epiphany that you want to actually LIVE your life and you aren’t currently doing what you want to be doing. .. you can, and you will get there. Today I’m putting my two-pence in (of course), and using Mrs Vera Wang and her infamous success story as my case study.  THE LEGENDARY VERA WANG In a world obsessed with early achievement and overnight success, Vera Wang’s journey is a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to build something extraordinary.  Having rapidly become one of the most sought after bridal dress designers - building a fashion empire worth hundreds of millions - and yet she didn’t even design her first wedding dress until she was nearly 4o years old!  Her story proves that feeling lost isn’t the end of the road – it’s often the beginning of a new (and better) path. So if you’re feeling a bit behind, take a breath and read this success story. Some facts about Wang: Vera Wang was born in New York City in 1949 - which, first of all, feels like winning the lottery straight out of the womb. Imagine spawning directly into the Big Apple? Unreal. She was born to Chinese immigrant parents and, for most of her early life, fashion wasn’t even the main plan. Instead, she trained seriously as a figure skater, competing at a high level until the age of 19. Olympic dreams and all. An almost entirely different life path – but not a wasted one. Even during this time, fashion quietly followed her. Her mother regularly took her to high-end fashion shows, exposing her to couture, craftsmanship and the theatre of clothing long before she ever touched a sketchbook. Seeds were being planted, whether she realised it or not. After graduating from Sarah Lawrence College, she landed a job at Vogue  – HOW DID I NOT KNOW THIS?!?!  Casually becoming the youngest fashion editor ever hired at the time. No big deal. She stayed there for seventeen years, learning the industry inside-out: trends, designers, politics, timing. A good youtube video on Vera: She then moved on to Ralph Lauren, working as a design director — deepening her understanding of branding, luxury, and what actually sells. So while she hadn’t launched her own label yet, she was quietly stockpiling knowledge, experience and taste. Which is why, when she finally did start her own brand at 40, it wasn’t a gamble, it was thoroughly evaluated and VERY calculated. And now? Nobody hears “Vera Wang” and thinks former Vogue editor. They think of THE Vera Wang. The moment she took the leap Vera Wang didn’t suddenly wake up one morning and decide to become a bridal designer. The catalyst was far more relatable: she couldn’t find a wedding dress she actually liked for her own wedding. So she made one.  Honestly, it sounds like something I would do!  In 1990, at age 40, she opened the Vera Wang Bridal House in New York’s Carlyle Hotel. One decision. One leap – but decades of preparation.  What she’s achieved since 40 (and why “starting late” is a myth) Since launching her brand, Vera Wang has created a global fashion empire, and accumulated a net worth of over $650 million - and she did it all after  the age most people panic about being “behind”. manifesting a vera wang wedding dress Her brand now spans: Bridal wear Ready-to-wear fashion Accessories (jewellery, eyewear, shoes) Fragrances Homeware Major licensed lines with Kohl’s, Zales and David’s Bridal Her bridal boutiques stretch across New York, London, Tokyo and Sydney, and in the most full-circle moment of all? She’s designed costumes for Olympic figure skaters, merging fashion with the sport that once almost defined her entire life. The main takeaway (for anyone feeling a bit lost right now) Vera Wang’s story is comforting to me, and many others because it dismantles the idea that there is a correct order to life. Your starting point does not determine your finish line. You could have just finished medical school and then turn around and say, “No, I actually want to be a ballerina.” There is no right or wrong! There is no universal timeline for success. Careers are allowed to evolve, stall, restart and surprise you. So if you’ve recently had the realisation that you want more from your life, that you want it to feel  better, not just look better - take this as your sign. You’re not behind. You have time to do whatever you want to do. With love,  Mimi x

the vibe this year 2026 is the year we become educated within the industry we want to exist in. No more saying “I love fashion” and then only knowing three designers, two trends and possibly the Met Gala theme. If you care about fashion, and if you’re here, you do, then we owe it to ourselves to understand it properly. Some of you may be fashion students. Some of you might already work in the industry. Or do you simply love clothes and the industry with your whole heart. Whatever it is, you are all welcome here.  Here’s the truth: we shouldn’t be waiting for a course, tutor, or employer to educate us. The best people in fashion are self-driven, self-taught, curious, and slightly obsessed. Reading is one of the easiest ways to level up your taste, references, and understanding – and it shows in how you dress, talk, write, and think. So below are six books that I genuinely think could be listed as the “fashion bible” Screenshot, save, order, visit a library, borrow, steal from your sibling’s bookshelf (with permission… maybe).  Do what needs to be done, and just read. If you love fashion, then self-education is the trend. Gods and Kings - Dana Thomas  A gripping, behind-the-scenes look at John Galliano and Alexander McQueen!  Two of fashion’s most brilliant (and tragic) visionaries. Thomas traces their rise from art-school outsiders to global fashion powerhouses, and the intense pressures that came with it.  When I first read it, it felt more like a thriller than a piece of non-fiction, but it’s also a powerful critique of the luxury industry: creativity vs capitalism, beauty vs burnout. Once you get to the finish line you feel inspired, heartbroken, and much more aware of the harsh realities behind the runway.  André Leon Talley - The Chiffon Trenches  Now this made me feel every emotion under the sun. André Leon Talley had an ability to write that very few possess today. He spoke with a natural flair and passion hung from every note.  This reminiscent narrative reads as part memoir, part fashion history lesson, he writes of his days with Vogue and casually name drops every fashion icon under the sun within 3 chapters! The world of W Mag, Vogue, couture editorials, Met Gala’s, dramatic friendships, and so many front rows… all told by one of fashion’s most unforgettable editors.  Talley writes with humour, vulnerability and shadow – discussing friendship, betrayal, racism in the industry, and his complicated relationship with Anna Wintour as well as Karl Lagerfeld.  It feels more like reading a very articulate diary than anything else. It’s gossipy, but also deeply reflective, honest and emotional. You feel like you’re sitting next to him hearing everything fashion people don’t usually say out loud - and that is why it’s my all time favourite memoir! Fashionpedia  - Fashionary This is the true practical bible for people who want to understand how clothing actually works.  It breaks down textiles, fabric properties, seams, construction, pattern cutting, details, trims, and silhouettes. All with super clear visuals. It’s entirely fashion knowledge with not an ounce of gossip. Ideal for those who wish to absorb knowledge without the context of who the designer is, more what they did!  Ideal for designers, students, or anyone who wants to speak technically and actually understand how clothes are made.  The Anatomy of Fashion: Why We Dress the Way We Do  - Colin McDowell This one explores the why of fashion. Possibly the most important of the books. Why silhouettes change, why trends return, why we reveal or hide certain parts of the body through time.  It links clothing with history, gender, power, class, identity, and culture while still being very readable. It’s the kind of book that makes you see outfits differently when you walk down the street – which is one of my main goals in life. So, if like me, you like thinking as much as styling, this will be your favourite. The Fashion Design Directory - Marnie Fogg Think of this book as a designer dictionary for your brain.  It profiles key designers from the 20th and 21st centuries, outlining their signature styles, recurring themes, and why they matter.  This one is more of a “ok I’m studying now” read but it’s visuals are top-notch and it’s clear, and easy to dip in and out of! Perfect for research, inspiration boards, and brushing up on names you “know but don’t really know.”  If you want to strengthen your references and talk about designers with confidence, this is an essential tool for you to use!  The Fashion Book  - Phaidon Often referred to as the “fashion encyclopedia”, this is a chunky, aesthetically pleasing bible of the industry.  Inside you’ll find designers, photographers, editors, models, and image-makers laid out alphabetically with images and short profiles so it’s basically like Google but without AI, and only fashion! #goals It’s perfect if you love learning visually or like to flip to random pages for instant inspiration. You won’t ever necessarily read it cover to cover – but be my guest if you so wish – it’s a book you live with on your coffee table and keep returning to when you get a second. Go self-educate your brains To me 2026 feels like it has a completely unique vibe, one that says we must romanticise our own self-discovery, and thus the art of self-education. Read the books. Learn the references. Understand the craft. Listen to a podcast even.  Don’t just “consume” fashion – study it a little. Consume less and create more. That's what 2026 is for. You don’t need permission, a degree, or a fancy job title to know your stuff. You will noticeably be the most knowledgeable person in a room with or without a qualification if you know the facts!  Grab a tea, sit down with a book and read.  With love,  Mimi x

Today marks one year since I departed from Gatwick airport, tears streaming down my face as if I were being sent away to war against my will. This of course was not the case. I was instead voluntarily journeying to the faraway land of Tokyo, Japan to internationally model for 3 months. I mean it sounds amazing… and yet I was somehow distraught at the thought of leaving my family.  me 20 seconds after leaving my mum last January 3rd As you can imagine as a freshly eighteen year old girl it was quite scary, but I will admit, a year later that I do think I was slightly dramatic with how anxious I was! Because it became the best thing I’ve ever done and I miss it every single day, seriously just thinking about it now makes me want to tear up.  That is the main reason why I’m so unable to comprehend that it’s been a year since I began that experience because in my head it's still as fresh as ever. If I close my eyes tight enough I can still feel the cold breeze of Meguro, the bustle and chaos of Shibuya late at night, the wail of sirens driving past my apartment, and I can still smell the smoke that shadowed every model. I hope these memories stay with me for a lifetime because I would be half the person I am now without them.  It baffles me how quickly time is moving! I always feel like I sound millennial when I say that because my mum always told me, “as you get older time moves faster so cherish the time you are in now.” Little did I know she was correct it seems because how have I gone from being sixteen years old to  turning twenty this year. That makes me want to scream.  How is it that something just twelve months ago can feel so far away, yet also so recent! I feel both at the same time, I was literally just there in my apartment with my cup of tea and a distant view of Mount Fuji. How was that so long ago?  But equally how was it only a year ago? Because on the other hand I’ve somehow fitted in an entire life change, months of travelling, two internships and founded this lovely blog (which I cannot wait to develop this year may I add!) into this space of only nine months since I got home from Japan. So how can it feel so close, yet also so far? I think it’s got a lot to do with the current state of society. School, Work, Sleep, Work, Sleep, Work, Sleep, Work - HOW BORING! We should be frolicking around fields and living vicariously because we are so young and have so much time … or do we? We all could die tomorrow and with what? If my last day on earth was spent in an office I’d be severely pissed off in the afterlife.  So get out there when/ if you can because I’m slightly worried the rest of my life will hurry by with the same supersonic speed, but If it does at-least I will have lived. You live and you learn, and I’m planning on doing everything in my power to ensure that however fast or slow it feels it is documented.  One of my New Year's resolutions this year was to commit to documenting my life because I want to be eighty years old and be able to rewatch my youtube videos of my life! I vowed to document through any means available, I’ll journal, sketch, write poetry, design, sew, paint, video diary, vlog … the list goes on and on.  I want nothing more than to look back and think, “Wow. I really lived.” And so far I’m proud of where I’ve got with that. Hope you are too.  And if you haven’t already seen the updated additions to the website… treat yourself and have a look. We are now accepting poetry submissions. If you have a brain and want to write, this is the place for you, it doesn’t have to be perfect!  As well as this, if you are reading and haven't yet signed up to our monthly insider access newsletter, genuinely what are you doing. Sign up below! Happy new year to all! Big things are coming. With love,  Mimi x

never be realistic Not to sound millennial, but 2025 went by faster than ever! I don’t even think I fully processed Christmas because in my head it’s still mid-june. Nevertheless I was well and truly spoiled this festive season and am already feeling very optimistic for 2026 - the year of the horse (apparently.) This new year holds the power to either be as iconic as 2016 was - let’s pretend I wasn’t nine years old - or be another futuristic let down. I’m praying for everyone to ditch this AI nonsense, give people their creativity and jobs back, and for doomscrolling to be a thing of the past. Some could say I live in a dreamworld, but where else would you want to live? I urge you to join me in this way of thinking, let’s be unreasonably delusional with our goals in 2026. I’ll go first… Every year I make a list of rational and irrational goals, rational being those that I am certain I can and will accomplish in the year ahead and irritation all being those that are so wildly ambitious I could probably be seen as mental to a normal person. This year the irrational list is far more populated than the rational list - and that is because of how truly INSANE 2025 was for me (see my fave 2025 modelling accomplishments below!)  To give you a sneak peek here are a few things from both goal lists - to give you some ideas.  Rational goals: Drink 3 pints of water a day - I’m severely dehydrated. Grow With Love, Mimi to over 10,000 monthly readers.  Once per month have a 1-1 friend date.  Send two career developing emails per week. Take one industry relevant course/ certificate per quarter to develop independent learning. Read one book per month. Irrational goals:  Be on a billboard. Volunteer in Africa for three weeks. Live in Korea for two months.  Get one very large editorial for a big magazine. Walk a fashion week show (September) Get myself at least one more internship within the fashion industry The list goes on and on and on… as you can imagine, however hopefully that's given you an idea of how I do my goal setting for the new year! I’d love to know what your new years goals are and if you have any outrageously ambitious resolutions! Please send me a message to let me know.  my 2025 editorial accomplishments! I can feel it in my bones that 2026 is going to be a very good year, because life is what you make it and if you speak it into existence enough I am undoubtedly certain it will happen. I’m not going to say I’m not scared, because I am, for all my goals to happen this year I need to change quite a bit, but as the saying goes, “what you aren’t changing, you’re choosing” so I’m very excited for these changes to begin, and I can’t wait to bring you all along with me!  Now it is the 31st December currently so I can only imagine Canva is crashing as I type this with the absurd amount of people making their vision boards for 2026! But I urge you to try and make one if you haven’t already, make it your lockscreen, your wallpaper, print it out and put it on your desk etc… bring it into your life so everyday you are faced with who you want to become and you can then take the steps necessary to get there.  My vision board was done yesterday, and I have attached it below for you to see, gather some images, scout pinterest to your hearts desire! Collate it all together and make sure that when you look at the final product you see yourself, and above all else who you want to become! Mimis 2026 vision board! Wishing you all a fantastic New Years Eve, 2026 will be MAJOR for With Love, Mimi, as the fashion state of events is booming with potential for this coming year. I can’t wait to comment on it all and populate your mind with articles so please do stay in the loop! Sign up to our monthly newsletter "Club Mimi" if you haven't already to get exclusive monthly commentary (I think I'm pretty funny), and only one extra email per month - who’s that going to hurt!  With love,  Mimi x

It’s Christmas Eve! Can you even believe it? Because I sure can’t. 2025 has been the best year of my entire life, yet also the most rapid and chaotic experience I’ve ever had. my 25' christmas tree Controversial take, but arguably Christmas Eve is better than Christmas Day!! Christmas Eve holds a special place in my heart - and in the hearts of many. It’s a night filled with anticipation, warmth, and a touch of magic that brings people together. As the world slows down and everyone collectively remembers that family is truly the most important thing. Stresses of life tend to melt away, happiness radiates from peoples smiles, and love is shared in a way often forgotten in other periods of the year.  Christmas Eve is more than just the night before Christmas. It is a time when families and friends come together to celebrate traditions, share stories, and create memories. My family follows a strict schedule on Christmas Eve, which finishes with one present each on the sofa, drinks in hand, and Home Alone on the TV. It’s potentially the most heartwarming two hours of my entire year, and I cannot wait for it this evening! This Christmas in particular, I’m feeling the magic more than ever as I’ve been working within the Elven world of Lapland! It was an entirely unique experience and involved a lot of improvisation - so I now feel qualified to add “acting skills” to my resume. Over this two-month festive period, I’ve also learned to truly appreciate the differences in how people celebrate Christmas and, above all, the importance of honouring childhood. One of my favourite times of the entire year is the period between the 27th and 31st of December, when everyone collectively seems to slow down and reflect on the year that’s passed. What we want for next year. Cleansing, vision boarding, manifesting - and, most importantly, prioritising what we want to use the next year for and how we can make it happen. The Christmas period can be terribly difficult for many people, and if you are struggling, I wish you peace and prosperity for 2026, alongside a sense of calm throughout the holidays. From mine to yours on this Christmas Eve, may you experience a truly magical festive period filled with joy, peace, and connection. We’ll be back (and better than ever) in the new year, ready to share so many more fashion stories with you. With love,  Mimi x

With Christmas r ight around the corner it’s only right to delve into what the most iconic girls are asking for. What do the fashion obsessed girls want? The ones with selective taste and a refined palette for excellence…  That is what we discover today as I share what I think the fashion lovers will have asked for this year – me included, because yes I am that girl.  The Journaling Epidemic Some of you may have noticed in recent weeks, months, and even over the most recent two years or so, the increase in journaling and how good it is for the mind. Now clearly this is not limited to fashion girlies, but as a fashion gal myself I can confirm I have been influenced by the Louise Carmen leather bound journal movement.  So much so that the red roadbook ended up top of my christmas list. I think a journal made with real leather, with such a long guarantee is without a doubt a smart investment. Made to last your entire life – as stated on the Louise Carmen website!  If you have money to spend and don’t know what to get someone, Louise Carmen should be your answer. A bound notebook that allows you to pull in and out different notebooks to suit your needs. It’s perfect, especially as a person who needs many places to scramble between sketches, random thoughts, poetry, notes etc… It’s undoubtedly the gift to give someone who has lots to say and no avenue to place it.  Sustainability Advancements The journal is also remarkably sustainable, a piece you keep your entire life! It ages with you supposedly. Which brings me swiftly onto my next point – the rise of sustainability in today's market.  Consumers are waking up, focusing less on trends and gathering always the ‘hottest’ piece, instead focusing on building a trans-seasonal wardrobe full of staples that can be seamlessly integrated to multiple different outfits.  More and more brands are realising this with Gen Z, but also now Millenials too and are being more open about their traceability and transparency ethics. Next time you buy something ask yourself if you care more about it being cheap, or ethical!  The true fashion girlies will have been doing this for a while – checking the fabric composition before purchasing. If a wool coat is claimed to be ‘wool blend’ it’s likely only 10% (or sometimes even less), with the rest being plastic composed fabrics. It’s time to be chic, update that wardrobe, but with ethically and sustainably sourced materials. Pay that extra bit for a piece that you won’t have to replace within the year - so worth it!  For example I bought a pair of dark wash denim jeans earlier this year in the Zara sale – already the colour has nearly vanished, so now I’m having to ask for some for Christmas which are better quality! Crazy.  Alongside this is the rise of Vintage products! For Christmas this year I asked a few of my family members to group together and buy me a pair of vintage Dior heels! I am ridiculously excited about these and not only because they are Dior, but also because buying second hand is sustainable, and allows for another piece to be added to my wardrobe that is undoubtedly me!  Invest in YOU To link to the Dior shoes, I fell in love with them because I looked at them and thought, “Wow. They look like me, in shoe form!” I could envision myself wearing them everyday and find it incredibly chic when a woman has an identifiable fashion piece that weaves its way into every outfit.  Statement necklaces, rings, earrings, bags, jackets, shoes, coats, etc… are ones that may have made it to the Christmas lists this year. However more niche personal statements bring me to my next point. Having something so distinctly unique to your character that people identify you with that inanimate object is such a high compliment in my eyes.  For example a digital camera – a must if you don’t already possess one! You must protect those memories and a phone is simply not nostalgic enough.  just a girl and her digi cam A killer pair of sunglasses perhaps – Jimmy Fairy ones have been all the rage this year, and I can see why I need a pair immediately!  Engraved anything! A pen, compact mirror, hat, shoes, literally anything. If it’s personalised to you it’s chic as hell. Love, love, love.  But on the other side of the subject are pieces that help you best identify yourself. If you want to be a DJ, invest in some DJ Decks - our marketing assistant put this at the top of her list this year!    Hobbies, interests and desires are often neglected to focus on the ‘important things’ in life, but what is more important than becoming your best self, and you simply cannot be your best self if your interests aren’t being listened to! If you want to play piano, invest in a piano and some lessons, if you want to write poetry buy a notebook and a solid pen. The list goes on and on…  Better yourself movement This could just be the most important category – if also the most boring potentially! While investing in your physical appearance is important, so is your mental development. That’s why I think all fashion lovers should also debate adding some educational books/ a subscription to their lists!  I’ve held my Vogue Subscription now for over five years and while, yes, they may look good on a shelf, they also educate me on recent fashion events and news. Very valuable to hold. This could be said about any interest, invest in your mental development and read, read, read. It is one of the best things you could do for yourself!  I have a myriad of books on my list, some being self help such as “The power of the subconscious.”, or “The let them theory.” which you may have heard of. But I got so impatient earlier this year and bought one on my list - “Gods and Kings: John Galliano and Alexander McQueen” and so far it has been truly enlightening!  To accompany this speech of bettering yourself I must also take a moment to mention fashion courses! I myself added a short course from UAL onto my Christmas list this year and can’t wait to start the content. I think solo learning is sometimes more valuable than taught lessons or structured learning. Only you know what you want afterall.  UAL has a lot of short courses relating to fashion/  the arts, Vogue College of Fashion also has some great ones! As well as Future Learn which has so many short courses on a larger range of topics. Which are all not too ridiculously expensive!  What's top of Mimi's List? Now we never aspire to ‘want’ things, because that could be construed as greedy and that wouldn’t be very nice. How ever, the things I have a subtle desire to possess this Christmas are as follows…  Louise Carmen Roadbook  GHD Gold Hair Straighteners  Saie Vanity Case  A personalised compact mirror The Let Them Theory - Mel Robbins  Laura Mercier Honey Bath  Magazine rack - to hold all the editorials I’ve done this year hehe What do you want this Christmas? Let us know… With love,  Mimi x

This was an exceptional day to write this article! Bear in mind I pre-plan my topics, and happened to allocate this particular day to track my day as an intern. It ended up being brilliant - so please be aware not every day is like this!  me on the way to wor k #interncore To give a brief backstory - last year I wanted to experience buying in a real fashion office, so acquired a three week work placement at Anthropologie - and loved it. I then was invited back in October, and started as a buying intern for a three month period a few weeks ago.  So far I’ve learnt so much! Through an extortionate amount of trend forecasting, competitor analysis, market research, sample development, and administration tasks. Without further ado… let me set the scene of this week as an intern for you.  Day in the life: Part 1 - Wednesday 3rd December Wednesday the 3rd of December I headed into central London - Brick Lane to be exact. Which is where URBN offices are (housing Urban Outfitters, Free People, and Anthropologie). My hair was dripping wet – poor timing with the Elizabeth line delays and the gloomy english rain not being on my side at all.  However when I waltzed into the office and sat down at my desk I was greeted with a pre-organised list of tasks for me to complete. Which I loved because everyone is usually SO busy I end up walking around like a lost dog begging for tasks. Today my list started with some research into birthstone necklaces, and SS26 caps and hat trends. Looking specifically for anything funky, fun and very Anthropologie. So due to being a complete fashion nerd I started reciting the many hat styles from the SS26 shows, and guest outfits. Including: Sailor hats, Berets, Baker boy hats, bucket hats, and flat back caps.  After gathering an absurd amount of imagery from Pinterest on another four trend forecasting presentations I had to retire my laptop for a lunch break! When I came back I finished off a presentation on unique colour combinations for hair accessories, shoe trends for AW26, current Tiktok trends for hair and beauty, and soooo much more.  After a totalled five hour trend forecasting session I swapped to a more interactive task for a movement break... hanging the new sample development handbags on the display wall - ready for the big boss to see the following day! Speaking of samples I then set up all the jewellery and eyewear samples ready to be shot the following day at the in-house studio; organised about five trays worth of tangled up necklaces - and then headed home!  Day in the life: Part 2 - Thursday 4th December Now this is not where the story ends, because this week my days were consecutive - meaning the next day was just as packed… my heart set on finishing this longgggggg list. When I came in on the following day I looked much fresher, with a cute outfit as well! Shirt, with a layered cami over the top - feeling very Rachel Green - ready to fully tackle the day… and it was very much tackled.  I had three things left on the list to complete… a comp shop on bags at highstreet retailers, new product lines we should be aware of from shoe lines we stock (e.g. Birkenstock, UGG, Doc Martens…), and researching the packaging for the birthstone necklaces so we can go above and beyond.  My brain was so locked in this day I got it all done by 11am, and was then informed we were having a sample clear out. So the girlies at Anthropologie had piled together loads of no longer needed samples from the storage cupboard and put it all in a box. Before announcing, “Come grab some free stuff!” To which obviously everyone jumped up like Lions attacking their prey. The first box I pounced on was hair accessories, and there was some incredible stuff. Then came jewellery - which I’m working on, so I got first dibs! As well as hats, cold weather, and handbags!!! I was overjoyed as a novice to the industry would be, however the others weren’t as ecstatic as this is probably a quartely occurence. All the more for me, my bag was growing bigger with every pass to the bathroom… not suspicious at all.  I have an addiction to clothes Then came the true worst offender – Urban Outfitters downstairs was hosting a Christmas sample sale, where you could buy a bag for £20 and fill it to the BRIM with samples from URBN!!! I went to town, and what's better is that all the money from the bags goes to charity!  Obviously this is not a regular occurence, just extreme luck on my part for being there on that day, and it's a brilliant perk of a job within the fashion industry for sure. So I took full advantage - only leaving when my bag was physically too big the seams were bursting at the sides. I headed back up to the office to drop off my new wardrobe, along with some new sample deliveries for SS26 Jewellery. Which we unpacked and discussed what was working and what was not with the suppliers via email, discussing materials, lengths, beading, metal, thread etc of summer earrings.  some new development pieces... I love that part of the job because you are actually curating something from scratch that someone will end up buying in a shop – and it could end up being their favourite item ever!  Then I made myself useful - feeling a tad guilty after the insane amount of stuff I had in my bag! So I tasked myself with untangling an insanely big box of earrings and bracelets in the storage room, and organised all the bags into categories to make it easier for the buying team to see the samples we have in. Finishing up around 5pm and heading home with an extra 40kg on my shoulder. I was humongous - but it was entirely worth it. Working at Anthropologie is such a lovely environment, the work-life balance seems to be honoured really well, and the perks are insane. I’m so grateful for the experience and I am learning an exponential amount of useful things during the process. Having nearly completed six weeks I’m sure you’ll hear much more about it as I continue my time… I just needed to let you all know about the ridiculous sample sale that occurred.  With love,  Mimi x

This is the big question of today, and I’m not sure I’m qualified to give my opinion on this matter - but we are giving it a go nevertheless!  me core Largely and most obviously is the fact people love to fantasise! It is the most intriguing thing when a man is entirely mysterious. If we know for a fact we cannot have the person then that makes them harder to access, so we strive for the challenge. That of course is the chase, and for some reason we all love it.  Through this deluded fantasy we all allow ourselves to delve further into mania as we feed into our own perception of this unattainable person. Fantasy is far safer than reality so we allow our minds to run wild with the potential of this person, it is all consuming at times. This is where I myself have fallen victim in recent weeks. By allowing your imagination to run wild you can control the storyline, the outcome, the memories etc. There is no risk of rejection because you are making it all up in your head, allowing for the complete romanticism of a completely ordinary interaction. Sounds a bit psychotic really when you spell it out - which is exactly where my own suffering comes into play.  Over recent weeks I have unfortunately fallen into a deep state of limerence, since coming home from a trip where I incurred the tragic event of meeting my exact type!   Limerence: “Limerence is a state of involuntary obsession and intense romantic infatuation with another person, defined by intrusive thoughts, an idealisation of the other person, and a desperate longing for reciprocation. Unlike love, it is based on the uncertainty of whether the other person returns your feelings and is often one-sided. ” Doesn’t sound very fun now does it? Well it's not. I have been an embarrassment to the independent womanhood community in recent weeks - and I used to be the Mayor of this community so it's quite a fall off.  All down to a trip last month in Budapest where I met the epitome of my type on the dancefloor of a club. He was a gorgeous blonde Hungarian man, and I had to have him. We had already been at the club dancing our hearts out for about an hour when he walked in and I boldly stated to my friend, "Look at the Blonde. I must have him” After 30 minutes of eyeing up him and his group we managed to secure the Hungarian blonde and his Italian friend. It was at this point that me and my friend realised we might be in a bit of bother the following morning because it was already 2am and we had a flight to catch, yet tragically were terribly infatuated by these men.  But why? As the night went on these men managed to completely seduce us with their European charm, not even speaking fluent English (quite an achievement!) They whispered sweet compliments in our ears and danced with us as if we had known each other for years, and that's exactly how it felt. It took everything in our bodies to not go home with them - and that is saying something.  me and my man in da club For the most part I am stupendously independent, yet this night managed to prove to myself I too crave intimacy - which I was naively unaware of. To be held in his arms, hold his hand, kiss him, lean on him as we danced and be told a myriad of overused but compelling compliments was everything I needed and more. Me and my travel companion walked out of the club at 4:30AM in a state of disbelief and were unawarely already entering into the hypnotic state of limerence. How and why do these men have this power over us…  After four weeks back in the country I think I've finally cracked the case!  The reason we fall so much harder for men we know we cannot have, is because of the mystery they obtain, I hardly know this man - which allows for my brain to create an idealised version of him. I’ve had four weeks now to stalk his instagram, talk to him over DM, rewatch a video of us dancing - obsessively - and from these three things I’ve formulated him as the perfect man.  THE man if you will - when really if I got to know him now, he’d probably be a bit of a let down because I've overcompensated with an idealised version of him! Quite sad really. His scarcity has created a desire so strong because of how unattainable he feels, he lives in a whole different country so my brain knows I will likely never see him again - and somehow that means he holds more value in my brain! It’s almost entirely psychological. My brain has systematically mistaken difficulty for importance - a tragic debacle.  It truly is tragic because I have never been one of those women who was obsessed by men, in fact I was more disgusted by them than anything else. Yes, I am unfortunately heterosexual by nature, however I often wish I were a lesbian, and it wasn't until this state of enlightenment that I've realised the lasting impact of having never had any romantic interaction. I’m nineteen years old and have never been in love, never had a boyfriend, never even been on a date. Until this night I hadn’t ever even held hands with a man - you can be a man hater all you like but that kind of inattention does transpire with a desperate desire for intimacy at times - today being one of them.  Can we break the cycle?  this is how deluded i've been The over romanticising must STOP! I think we can break this cycle but first we must understand that most of what we imagine is likely not real and we have unconsciously projected our desires onto a falsified version of a man.  Once we are aware and have acknowledged this as a problem we can start to take action! Which is easier said than done, however now we know this is the problem it should be easier to stop ourselves from creating these false ideals. So next time you catch yourself falling into limerence i'm hoping we are going to recognise the pattern and put a stop to it! But it's going to be an ongoing battle because even now I still catch myself hyper-fixating on this man! Partly because he has annoyingly fed into my delusions over messages - making it so much worse, but also because I've entirely allowed myself to fall into it! if this isn't the truth! (He was my lock-screen for two - weeks.) Thats actually psychotic. I’ve fully exposed myself with this one, I'm going to look back on this time and think how insane I was, but that is limerence for you! Aside from embarrassing myself I'm hoping this has helped you understand your own self more and possibly even relate to my crazy state of limerence because it seems to be an increasingly popular emotional state in recent years. Manifesting success and happiness for you all - and definitely no limerence. With love, Mimi x