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

Wow. So I officially dropped off the face of the earth for a solid 5 days - of which were the most important days in this year for fashion. Classic. I went through quite the ordeal and had to make some lifechanging decisions for myself, let's just say I'm no longer going to be a university student... Yep, Mimi is free and only lasted a solid three weeks before figuring out uni is not for her. So with my many panic attacks and anxious meltdowns behind me, I am now reporting on the best of the past four days I missed. We've got lots to catch up on from the final four days of Paris Fashion Week. So without further ado... Let's start with the legendary Loewe show!!! Loewe (Jack McCollough & Lazaro Hernandez) - October 3rd @11:30am Their signature polish has officially steered Loewe into bold new territory. Anticipation for Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez’s debut has been sky-high - especially following JW Anderson’s phenomenal reign. If you read our “Here Comes Super September” post, you’ll remember the duo said they wanted to honour Loewe’s DNA while infusing it with their own voice. And let me tell you: they delivered. This isn’t their first Paris Fashion Week rodeo. The Proenza Schouler founders had a two-season run in Paris pre-pandemic. Well, fast forward to March, and they had officially replaced Anderson as creative directors of Loewe. A couple months earlier, they’d stepped away from Proenza - a huge, career-defining decision made with unwavering enthusiasm. And the result? Quite simply: the most Loewe collection I’ve ever seen. Every look had a surreal, animated quality - the tailoring was so sculpted and hyper-polished, it looked like clothing made of plasticine. Moulded jackets, cartoonish silhouettes, and graphic pops of red, green, yellow and blue made every outfit feel playful, expressive, and unmistakably fresh. Intertwined with more wearable pieces of course. It was intelligent, invigorating, and fully in dialogue with the brand’s heritage while being totally new. McCollough and Hernandez proved not only that they were the perfect choice for this role, but also that two creative minds at the helm might just be the future of fashion. From start to finish, this was fun, fearless fashion - and an absolute masterclass in how to enter a legacy house with style, substance, and zero hesitation. See the full collection here - https://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows/spring-2026-ready-to-wear/loewe/slideshow/collection Maison Margiela (Glenn Martens) - October 4th @12pm -   Maison Margiela is in a transitional moment, following John Galliano’s dramatic exit - a seismic shift for a house built on avant-garde rebellion and theatrical brilliance. All eyes are now on Glenn Martens, and this show was his first real statement since stepping in. What did he do? Well, he debuted his ready-to-wear collection accompanied by a 61-piece orchestra… of children. The musicians, aged 7 to 15, performed (or attempted) Mozart, Bizet, Strauss, Beethoven and Prokofiev - in oversized tuxedos. It was completely surreal and genuinely heartwarming. It was chaotic and pure, and totally unexpected. In stark contrast, the models wore metal mouthpieces that held their mouths open, tagged in each corner - “like obligatory smiles,” Martens explained. It was unnerving, and deliberately so. A commentary on forced performance and artificial emotion, echoing Martin Margiela’s original fascination with anonymity and mask-wearing. TikToker and model Calum Harper vlogged himself walking the show and echoed what I felt: visually striking, but emotionally jarring, the mouth pieces were metaphoric. The metaphor stung a bit - because how often are  we just pretending to smile our way through? The clothes themselves were fine... The silhouettes were safe, the colour palette subdued, and nothing screamed “showstopper.” If anything, the garments played supporting roles to the greater performance. Because let’s be honest: the children weren’t trained musicians. The music was clumsy, sometimes awful, and if you’d only listened without watching, you’d wonder how they found the worst orchestra in France. But that’s the point. The show was a performance piece more than a fashion moment. It was bold, clever, and very Margiela - just don’t expect TikTok-worthy runway looks. See the full collection here - https://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows/spring-2026-ready-to-wear/maison-martin-margiela Balenciaga - October 4th @8pm Pierpaolo Piccioli’s debut at Balenciaga was one of the most talked-about moments of the season - and not just because it took place inside the actual Balenciaga headquarters. After nearly a decade of dreamy, romantic reign at Valentino, Piccioli’s move marked a major shift for both him and the house. So yes, expectations were sky-high. There were glimmers of his signature, those poetic couture volumes, refined tailoring, and painterly colour choices were all present. For those who adored his Valentino era, it felt like a familiar friend walking into a new space. But here’s the thing: this wasn’t Valentino. It was Balenciaga. And the two couldn’t be more different in aesthetic heritage. The collection, while undeniably beautiful in parts, didn’t quite land. It felt polished, but slightly hollow - like an edit of Pierpaolo’s past work transplanted into a setting that didn’t quite fit. There were some standout moments of course! A knitted floral dress, petal appliqués cascading from a skirt - but they didn’t feel rooted in Balenciaga’s DNA. The only truly Balenciaga-coded touches were the classic oversized bug-eyed sunglasses and the return of the classic BB belt. It wasn’t a disaster by any means, just a little unsure of itself. Piccioli has the vision, no doubt. But for this new chapter, he’ll need time to find the Balenciaga within him. See the full collection here - https://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows/spring-2026-ready-to-wear/balenciaga/slideshow/collection Jean Paul Gaultier - October 5th @4pm I’m not even going to begin commenting on this. EW.  Please save yourself and don’t view the entire collection here - https://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows/spring-2026-ready-to-wear/jean-paul-gaultier Chloe - October 5th @7pm Look 50 I’ve always been a Chloé girl - through and through. The brand has long stood for timeless elegance, effortless bohemian luxury, and an unapologetic celebration of femininity. But this season? It left me semi-underwhelmed (I hate to say it!) Chemena Kamali, stepping confidently into her creative stride, clearly wanted to shake things up. “We’re living through such a unique moment in fashion history,” she said during fittings. And yes, I get it - the energy of reinvention, the pull to redefine a brand’s DNA. But for the first 49 looks, it felt more like trial and error than evolution. The colour palette was jarring in places, with odd pops that felt incohesive and off-brand. It lacked the fluid romanticism and polish that usually defines Chloé. But then - Look 50 (above). Finally. Piles of dreamy lace and cascading ruffles, silhouettes that whispered luxury without shouting. That floaty, ethereal femininity came rushing back in. The final nine looks delivered what I’d been waiting for: elegant shapes, fluid pleats, and all the soft power of boho-chic done right. Kamali dipped back into the archives, pulling inspiration from Gaby Aghion’s 1950s and ‘60s designs - minus the stiffness, minus the petticoats. It was a homage to Chloé’s roots, just updated for now. I just wish we’d felt more of that spirit earlier on. But when Kamali did successfully channel Chloé? It was perfect. Here’s hoping next season delivers that magic from start to finish. See the full collection here - https://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows/spring-2026-ready-to-wear/chloe McQueen  - October 5th @8pm With feral sighs and guttural squawks echoing through the speakers, we took our seats on a set that felt somewhere between a pagan ritual and an underground rave. We could only be at McQueen. For Spring 2026, Sean McGirr channelled The Wicker Man - a haunting 1973 folk horror film laced with religious obsession, eerie isolation, and unsettling femininity. McGirr used it as a launchpad to explore classic McQueen themes: faith, sex, nature in all its strange beauty and brutal force - and, crucially, the power of the feminine. “It’s the first time I’m doing a womenswear-only show,” he noted. And god, did it show. He had a unique take on it and did a first womenswear debut PERFECTLY! This was McQueen in full theatrical glory. It was sexy, shadowy, weird, and brilliantly unhinged in all the right ways. Low-rise isn’t just back - it’s below the belt . Literally. Models like Alex Consani wore theirs so  low we may need to collectively rethink our thresholds, and get a wax. Lace trousers, sheer panels, visible crack - it was sex on a stick. But clever. McGirr brought that visceral, performative McQueen energy we haven’t felt in a while - where the show is the spectacle and the clothes follow. It felt inherently true to Lee’s original vision: fashion as drama, darkness, and desire. And look - if McQueen says low-rise is the move? I’m buying a belt, getting a bikini wax and and heading down under. End of. See the full collection here - https://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows/spring-2026-ready-to-wear/alexander-mcqueen Chanel!!! - October 6th @8pm Matthieu Blazy’s Chanel debut had been one of the most anticipated shows of the season, and it was saved for last, closing out Paris Fashion Week with a bang. Ten months in the making, and following 14 other Spring/Summer 2026 debuts, the moment had finally arrived. The Grand Palais - once home to Lagerfeld’s most iconic Chanel shows, set the stage. And hanging above the runway? A glowing solar system of planetary orbs, casting light down on an otherworldly collection. The scale was cosmic, and so was the delivery. The clothes were superb in craftsmanship. There was the signature Chanel suiting and classical tailoring, reimagined with Blazy’s personal flare. Cascading feathers, embroidery so detailed it was almost surreal, and dresses layered in fringe-petal florals. The classic plaid returned in full force, this time via knitted blazers and tailored skirts - while pops of tomato red lit up the darker accents of maroon and burgundy. The colour palette flowed like a constellation, bold yet beautifully balanced against the galactic backdrop. Accessories didn’t miss either: classic leather bags, colourful chains, subtle stripes. And as for the soundtrack? A bold mix of music and iconic speeches, adding texture to an already multisensory experience. Final Look Then came the  closer. A silk t-shirt paired with a voluminous, jaw-dropping skirt made of multicoloured fringe and feathers, almost tie-dyed in vibrant hues. It moved like liquid light. The model danced her way down the runway, completely owning the moment, before embracing Blazy in a celebratory hug. It was pure joy, and pure Chanel. Blazy isn’t just a worthy successor - he’s the future of the house. And judging by this debut? Chanel’s in very good hands! See the full collection here - https://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows/spring-2026-ready-to-wear/chanel Back to normal... After dropping off the face of the earth, I am now very much back (she says after only being gone for four days - so dramatic!) Back to our regular bi-weekly scheduling on Wednesdays and Fridays. Starting with an in depth dive to my (brief) time as an embroidery intern for a Paris Fashion Week designer on Saturday... With love, Mimi xx

Today I promised myself I wouldn't overwork and try and write on everything. But then everything was impressive and so so so good! What is happening this fashion week?! There are no duds. It is CRAZY. No season has ever been this good one after the other. The talent is immense, so I give you today's offerings... Rabanne, Rick Owens (freaked me out), and Schiaparelli... Rabanne - October 2 @2pm Look 34 Rabanne SS26 was nothing short of stunning, and a bit weird at times. Finally, finally, a brand that didn't fall into more of the monochromatic, nude-toned trap. This collection was bright, quirky, floral, funky, patterned, a bit chaotic… in short: fun! It was trendy and unique, a little off-kilter in the best possible way, and honestly such a breath of fresh fashion air. Let’s start with the accessories, because these chunky (almost skirt length) belts? Wow. Shaped like moons or backwards Cs, they added such a cool punch to multiple looks - especially the final one (right), which was luscious. It was a whimsical white blouse layered under a perfectly cut black satin corset, leading into a sleek skirt with that same crescent belt. Then, BOOM red and pink embellishments bursting across the bottom half like couture confetti. The whole ensemble I need immediately.  And the shoes? Absolutely yes. We’re talking silver kitten heels with what looked like feathered wheat sprouting from them. Sounds weird, looked brilliant. And guess what, they came in gold too. Thank you Rabanne, from one gold girl to another. There was this incredible mint green mini dress (Look 2) that I haven’t stopped thinking about. Ruffles around the hem, a dual-layer structure with the bottom poking out all bedazzled in sequins, beads, florals, and applique all around! A DIY girlie’s fever dream but make it fashion. “Cool” doesn’t even cut it. Everything, from the shoes to the layered embellishments just worked. Florals came through strong, but in that modern, power-girl kind of way. The shirts were fun and often left open to reveal more layers beneath (so much layering this season!). The skirts were beaded, sparkly, textured and full of life. And the glasses? Some were the size of my hand, literally. One-way mirrored shields that let the model see out but gave everyone else a reflection. I don’t know if I’d wear them to Tesco, but runway? Yes. There were tinsel dresses, shirts under wetsuits, and okay, some of the menswear veered a little too weird for my taste, but the women’s looks? Which are obviously the most important! Spot on. The embellishments were flawless, the colour palette felt rich but playful, and the patterns were thick and far. I didn’t realise Rabanne was this cool. Was I delusional, or just not paying attention? Either way. Make fashion fun again! Rabanne got the memo. All my favourite looks: 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 11, 17, 20, 25, 26, 29, 30, 34 See the full collection here: https://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows/spring-2026-ready-to-wear/paco-rabanne Rick Owens - October 2 @5pm  Now, I’m not exactly a Rick Owens die-hard fan, so I’ll only give him a moment of my time… but wow, what a location. The SS26 show was held at the Palais de Tokyo, Paris, classically majestic until they slapped on some very industrial stairs that, frankly, ruined it a bit. But I’ll give them credit - those stairs led straight into a fountain, which the models then walked through. Because of course they did. The STUNNING location Cue the hilarity of models teetering down 15 metres worth of stairs (I’m not exaggerating), wearing Rick’s notoriously horrid & high balloon boots. Like, imagine trudging down all those stairs in sky-high heels... straight into five inches of water. You couldn’t pay me enough. Actually, no, you probably could, but still -  it was giving “unique for the sake of being unique.” The vibe? Classic Rick: black-on-black, drenched wet looks, alien-coded eye makeup, and creepy blacked-out eyeballs. Very dystopian. Very “we come in peace” but also “we might eat your soul.” Some of the models looked genuinely scared of falling, and understandably so! Given they were basically doing a triathlon in heeled hooves. And let’s not even think about the dry cleaning bill after that water segment. I will say the visuals were striking - the weirdly sculptural silhouettes against the stark Parisian architecture were cool, and the neutral palette of nudes, whites and the inevitable goth blacks was cohesive. At times, it almost bordered on a spiritual alien ritual - especially when models started flooding down the stairs at the end all at once. I swear, if that crowd of booted, wet-haired, dead-eyed models came at me, I’d genuinely believe Earth was being invaded. If this was coming towards me I would run! There were some fabulous bold shoulders, a few near collisions (one poor girl clearly had no clue where she was going - bless her), and an unrelenting pace of looks just not stopping. Then, suddenly, the final 20 or so models began to ascend the stairs, readying for the finale. Models on the left, right, centre - and boom, they all descended in this overpowering wave of alien-chic chaos. And finally, Rick himself, in black-on-black-on-black (shocking), came down and did a classic designer underwhelming wave and spin.  I get the vision. I appreciate it from afar. But personally? It’s not my cup of dystopian tea. Actually, it kind of scared me. See the full livestream here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6na-bJPm44 Schiaparelli - October 2nd @7pm  The Schiaparelli Spring/Summer 2026 show was a feast of drama, surrealism, and sheer fashion spectacle. It’s September’s most opulent moment - and under the direction of Daniel Roseberry, the brand’s couture-informed RTW collections continue to turn heads, dripping in gold, structure, and quiet madness (the chic kind). This season was no different. From glowing chokers to ruffled non-tops, tomato-red gowns to sheer near-nothings, the collection was an unpredictable ride, and I’m very much here for it. Let’s talk casting first: Kendall Jenner makes her second appearance of the entire season, yes, only her second, joined by Alex Consani, Mona Tougaard, and Amelia Gray. All walking with the kind of attitude this collection demands. As always, Schiaparelli draws an impressive front row and model lineup - this is where the industry’s cool kids show up. The venue, however, slightly lets the drama down. That industrial ceiling? Not doing the clothes any favours, especially when the lighting hits more pipes than cheekbones. But we’ll forgive it - because the collection is serving. Fabrication is at the core of this season’s magic. Sculptural silhouettes reign, from razor-sharp tailoring to gowns that bloom like modern art installations. There’s a strong thread of black and white tones running throughout  but never in a boring way. Laser-cut polka dots feel fresh (finally, a new take), and gold accents were everywhere. Sometimes dripping, sometimes glowing - literally. The headwear? Questionable at times, in the best way. Some models strutted with helmet-like headpieces, sliced in half and plopped on the crown of the head like bizarre futuristic crowns. Then there are pillbox hats, high necklines (some covering even the mouth and nose), and surrealist detailing at every turn. One standout was a tomato-red gown - floor-length, sculpted, with a mesh-lined bodice and architectural collar swirling around the neck. It’s bold, regal, and utterly Schiaparelli. Another model walked out after in what looked like just a single giant ruffle on her top half. Iconic chaos. Accessories stole the spotlight. A glowing choker (yes literally glowing!!!) becoming one of the show’s defining moments, lighting up against a sheer-but-not-sheer suit. Elsewhere, a chocolate brown blazer was paired with cascading smaller glowing gems, dripping down the chest and into the tailoring like wearable chandeliers. Alex Consani, as always, delivered - twice. She floated down the runway in a sheer cascading gown with nothing but black pants and a luminous choker - Fab, as she’d say. Mona Tougaard stunned in a gold glittered halter neck, finished with silver sparkles hanging from cut pieces of fabric, exposing skin and silver all at once! And delicate feathered polka dots - a look that dances between elegant and eccentric. And of course, Kendall closed the show! In a sheer black version of the feathered polka dot gown, thong only underneath. Nearly-nude and undeniably show-stopping. There were classically Schiaparelli  illustrated dresses, unconventionally structured shirts, and pieces that genuinely felt new. It’s the Schiaparelli sweet spot: theatrical, couture-rooted, and always absurdly opulent,  just how I like it. Roseberry doesn’t just design clothes; he crafts moments. And this one? Glowed - literally. What's to come: It's LOEWE day tomorrow! Thats all I'm excited for. Thats what's to come, that's it, that's what matters! With love, Mimi x