NYFW February 2026: The Only Cheat Sheet You Need New York Fashion Week is officially here, beginning today! Which means your feeds are about to explode, your IG will show nothing but runways for the next month, and you'll be overwhelmed thinking "What's worth watching?" So consider this your calm, curated, no-stress NYFW guide - what to watch, when it’s on, and why it matters. Bookmark it, skim it, dip in and out. This is NYFW without the overwhelm. The Vibe This Season NYFW February 2026 feels like a mix of American heritage, downtown grit, and commercial polish. There’s a clear split between: Up-and-Comers Debuting Designers Must-See Shows (Usually big, established names) You don’t need to watch it all - just the right shows. Day-by-Day: Wednesday 11 February Proenza Schouler - 12 PM - Quietly one of the most influential American brands. Expect intelligent tailoring, modern femininity, and clothes editors actually want to wear. Coach - 3 PM - Coach continues its Y2K-meets-Americana revival. This is one to watch for accessories, bags, and viral styling moments. Collina Strada - 5 PM - Sustainability with a sense of humour. Expect eco-conscious fabrics, playful chaos, and politically charged messaging found in very trendy looks. Tory Burch - 7 PM - Polished, powerful, and very wearable. Always a masterclass in elevated American sportswear. Public School NY - 8 PM - Sharp, political, and culturally plugged-in. This is where NYFW gets its edge. Thursday 12th February Carolina Herrera - 10 AM - Old-school glamour done right. Expect colour, volume, and red-carpet-ready silhouettes. Christian Siriano - 4 PM - Drama, inclusivity, and unapologetic glamour. Always delivers statement gowns and bold construction. Michael Kors Collection - 6 PM - Peak American luxury. Clean lines, rich textures, and clothes that translate directly to real wardrobes. Elena Velez - 8 PM - For something darker and more experimental - raw textures, conceptual silhouettes... creative overload. Friday 13th February Calvin Klein Collection - 12 PM - Minimalism royalty. This is essential viewing for anyone interested in the future of American understatement (although I was dissapointed last season) PatBo - 1 PM - Craft, colour, and Latin American influence - a refreshing contrast to NY minimalism. Fforme - 2 PM - Quiet luxury. Expect minimalist silhouettes, elevated fabric choices, and a very modern take on American elegance that feels understated but intentional. 7 For All Mankind - 3 PM - Denim everywhere. Expect a strong focus on fabrication and styling. Ulla Johnson - 4 PM - Romantic, artisanal, and endlessly wearable. Expect handcrafted details, rich textures, and a bohemian femininity that always feels thoughtful and original. Area - 6 PM - High-shine glamour with a conceptual edge. Expect bold silhouettes, and playful takes on modern luxury that feel made for fashion week headlines. Sergio Hudson - 7 PM - Power dressing done beautifully. Clean tailoring, rich colour palettes, and serious presence. Saturday 14 February Altuzarra - 11 AM - Elegant, refined, and quietly sexy. A consistent NYFW highlight. LII - 1 PM - Sharp, sensual minimalism with a downtown edge. Expect sleek tailoring, elevated evening-wear, and a confident, body-aware approach to modern luxury. Anna Sui - 2 PM - Maximalist nostalgia at its finest. Prints, colour, and joy! Khaite - 7 PM - Modern American luxury at its sharpest. Expect elevated wardrobe staples, precise tailoring, and that effortless "cool-girl" vibe that Khaite does better than almost anyone. Sunday 15 February Marina Moscone - 10AM - Modern minimalism with a romantic undertone. Expect fluid tailoring, soft draping, and a quiet elegance that feels intimate, refined, and very New York. Diotima - 12PM - Craft-led luxury with deep cultural resonance. Known for intricate handwork and powerful storytelling, Diotima delivers emotionally rich fashion that feels both artisanal and contemporary. Sandy Liang - 1 PM - Downtown cool meets playful femininity. Cult Gaia - 2 PM - Sculptural silhouettes and accessories that will dominate on Instagram. Bach Mai - 4 PM - High-drama couture energy with a modern edge. Expect sculptural silhouettes, rich fabrics, and an unapologetically glamorous approach. Private Policy - 5 PM - Gender-fluid, experimental, and culturally sharp. Very Gen Z. Kim Shui - 8 PM - Sensual, graphic, and deeply identity-driven. Always visually striking. Monday 16 February Raúl Peñaranda - 12 PM - Strong craftsmanship with a couture sensibility. Dennis Basso - 1 PM - Classic New York elegance - think evening-wear and luxe fabrics. J. Press - 2 PM - American heritage menswear with timeless appeal. If you find yourself overwhelmed or you are running low on time, make these 5 your priority: 1. Proenza Schouler 2. Carolina Herrera 3. Tory Burch 4. Fforme 5. Khaite That combo gives you heritage, modern minimalism, downtown cool, and commercial relevance. Full PDF for New York Fashion Week Schedule : LINK HERE Final Thoughts NYFW usually isn't that brilliant but it does an amazing job at setting the tone for the weeks ahead. Laying down the groundwork for London, Milan, and Paris to follow. Use this guide as your shortcut. You don’t need to see everything - just the shows that matter to you. Over the next 6 days I will be noting down my favourite looks, shows, and WTF moments so stay tuned for my NYFW roundup. With love, Mimi x

Welcome back. If you’ve read Part 1 you will be aware of my predictions for silhouettes, styling and overall vibe… however Part 2 focuses on patterns, colours and textures. From patchwork denim, to trompe l’œil, texture overload and shoes that refuse to behave, these are the trends that will bring the drama to the runway. Without further ado… 1.Mixing Textures (Maximum Sensory Overload): A/W26 will be about how clothes feel , not just how they look. Mixing textures e.g. leather with lace, sequins with wool, denim with sheer, creates visual tension that feels exciting. I am hopeful womenswear will layer textures unapologetically, often clashing them on purpose.  If it feels like too much, it’s probably right. This trend thrives in motion, so the runway boasts the perfect place for its debut.   2.Plaid as a Styling tool:  Plaid never truly disappears, but A/W26 feels like a season where it might become a signature styling point. In my mind I’m envisioning it used as a core styling piece. Rather than full tartan suits, I predict plaid showing up in accessories and layered moments. Maybe a silk scarf tied loosely at the waist, slung over a trench, or even knotted onto bags.  For womenswear, this feels like a nod to 90s nonchalance rather than British stiffness. Burberry is known for their plaid so I can 100% see them using this! Think mismatched plaids, scale clashes, and lightweight fabrics that feel intentionally off-season.  A plaid jacket worn open over something sheer, or a scarf breaking up a monochrome look, feels far more A/W26 than head-to-toe coordination. It’s plaid without the commitment - more wearable, and styled like you didn’t overthink it (even if you absolutely did!) 3.Quirky Polka-dots : A/W26 polka dots will feel more refined but also more mischievous. Smaller dots, tighter spacing, softer fabrics, but paired with strange colour combinations that stop them feeling overdone or safe.  The excess fabric theory absolutely checks out, but designers won’t just repeat themselves. Instead, expect polka dots layered over tailoring, printed on sheer base layers, barely noticeable, or clashing against other patterns.  This is where the “quirky girl epidemic” really comes into play – fashion is swinging back towards individuality, and polka dots are playful enough to carry that. Lime green with tomato red, muted browns with baby blue, or even tonal dots that only reveal themselves up close. Not everyday pieces, but statement ones. Personality and showing it off is SO BACK!  4.Patchwork denim: This one is quite rogue but I came across some images from the Balmain 2001 show the other day and the patchwork denim literally spoke to me. I am quietly hopeful that A/W26 will reuse this idea – trenches made of denim panels, skirts layered with tights, jackets that feel pieced together over time.  Love, Love, Love patchwork!!! Double denim won’t be enough; this season wants excess. The patchwork element adds nostalgia but also individuality – no two pieces look the same. It taps into sustainability conversations too, whether intentionally or not. Denim that looks lived-in, reused, reworked – imperfect in the best way. 5.Trompe l'œil Everywhere:  Trompe l’Œil had a major menswear moment, and there’s no way womenswear ignores that. Optical illusions – printed textures, fake layering, deceptive materials. Faux fur that’s printed, knits that aren’t knits upon closer inspection, garments pretending to be something they’re not. It’s playful, clever, and slightly surreal.  Perfect for a season where designers want to show intelligence without taking themselves too seriously. Trompe l’Œil rewards close inspection – and that feels very runway-relevant!!! I am very pleased with myself for learning this word, it’s now a new favourite of mine.  6.Funky Statement Shoes: Shoes are no longer an afterthought. DSquared made that crystal clear. I was watching the show on loop just to understand the shoes! In menswear, the shoe was mixed with a cowboy boot, while in womenswear it was transformed into a high-heeled boot. A/W26 footwear will be sculptural, strange, impractical, and iconic. Hybrid designs (hopefully) will dominate.Even when outfits are simple, shoes will do the heavy lifting. Womenswear will exaggerate silhouettes, play with cut-outs, and push wearability boundaries. You might not be able to walk far in them, but you’ll definitely be memorable.  7.All the greens (Colour of the season?!?!)  If there’s one prediction to put money on, it’s green. Every shade imaginable. Olive, khaki, forest, lime, moss, mint. Seeing as it is AW26 we are dressing for the colder months so perhaps these array of greens will pop up in a trench, or an ‘imperfectly’ tailored shirt, an ‘undone’ pair of trousers, or even a super quirky pair of shoes.  Whatever it is mark my words it is coming in a shade of green. Green feels alive – and after seasons of neutrals, that’s exactly what fashion wants. You can hold me to this one.  Final Thoughts I am indescribably excited to see what the runway displays for us this season! This era of fashion is SO exciting and the creative directors have finally got a good rhythm going. Across menswear, and inevitably womenswear, designers are leaning hard into personality, imperfection and excess.  Whether that’s through chaotic layering, tactile fabrics, optical illusions or styling choices that feel intentionally “wrong”, clothes are being worn with attitude again. THANK GOD FOR THAT!!!!!!  There’s a clear rejection of quiet luxury in favour of something louder, messier and far more expressive. Pieces look designed again not 3D printed, they are lived-in, reworked, touched, and that humanity is exactly what makes this season exciting. A/W26 isn’t about perfection, it’s about presence. With New York Fashion Week kicking off the season in a few days on the 11th, this post marks the beginning of a month-long runway deep dive here on the blog.  Expect my usual Fashion Week cheat sheets before each city kicks off, followed by detailed round-ups of my favourite shows, looks, details and moments from NYFW, LFW, MFW and PFW. And (slight disclaimer) I’ll be moving to Korea at the start of Milan Fashion Week, so if posts arrive a little jet-lagged or emotionally unhinged, just know it’s the homesickness talking. Fashion Month waits for no one, unfortunately. With love,  Mimi x

The mens and couture shows have just wrapped up and honestly? It was TASTY. So many surprises, new colours, textures, materials, patterns, styling choices, makeup moments and the shoes!!! It was a whirlwind, and while I don’t usually deep-dive into menswear here (I am for the girls and for the girls only), this season felt impossible to entirely ignore. Shows like DSquared and Dior completely stole my attention. Neon yellow wigs aside, JW Anderson delivered colour, accessories and full-blown 90s glamour - with a very Versace-esque energy, just filtered through an Anderson lens. It got me thinking: if this  is what menswear is serving, then womenswear is about to be very exciting. So before arguably the biggest shows of the year kick off, I’m breaking down the trends I predict will dominate the A/W26 Ready-to-Wear runways. Split into two parts this first instalment focuses on styling, silhouettes and Vibe– the foundations of how we’ll be dressing next season. Let’s get into it. 1.Neons & Club Classics (2000s after-dark) The 2000s club revival isn’t subtle, and A/W26 won’t be pretending otherwise. Menswear already embraced sequins, beading and unapologetic shine (Dior did this soooo well!) – and womenswear will take that energy and run with it I’m 100% certain.  This is neon for winter nights out. Acid greens, hot pinks, electric blues paired with black tailoring, oversized coats, or sheer layers. Funky coloured tights feel like a key player here - a blue leg with a chic pointed toe heel?!?! So elegant, yet equally quirky - funky chic we call it.  What’s most exciting for me is the “one-of-one” feel: handmade embellishment, DIY aesthetics, pieces that look collected rather than curated. This trend is undoubtedly my favourite and is all about rejecting quiet luxury and dressing like YOU want to - because frankly, blending in is so boring. 2.Lace Poking Out (Or a Lace overload…)  Lace has been flirting with visibility for a while, but A/W26 feels like the season it stops being an understated styling tool and becomes the main event. Lace peeking out from under knits, tailoring, leather, or denim feels inevitable – and ever so elegant, but it’s been done many times before.  Delicate lace layered under sharp coats, spilling from trouser hems, or used excessively in unexpected silhouettes. Maybe it’s pleated, or perhaps it’s ruffled, maybe it's plaited. Paired with boots, oversized outerwear, or severe tailoring. Whatever form it’s in, it's coming and it’s going to be AMAZING.  3.Tailored Leather & The Funnel Neck Tailoring is getting stricter again – but not in a corporate way. For A/W26, I’m predicting a wave of leather-led tailoring, with structured, intentional cuts designed to make the wearer feel undeniably powerful. Think trench coats buttoned all the way up, funnel necks framing the face and adding an air of mystery, and silhouettes that feel controlled rather than casual. Menswear has already embraced this authoritative approach, and womenswear will follow suit with sharp shoulders, cinched waists and commanding collars. Double denim? More like double leather.  This trend sits firmly in the ‘elegant, cool girl’ camp - funnel necks, dark wash denim, leather layers, strong accessories. Composed, controlled, and quietly intimidating (as she should be). 4.Inside-Out Tailoring (Nothing to Hide) One of the most interesting shifts happening is the exposure of what’s usually hidden. Inside-out tailoring e.g. visible pockets, linings, seams is set to become a big thing this season. Instead of concealing construction, designers are now highlighting it, showing their process and leaving it exposed. Two colours, two fabrics, two jackets in one. Menswear already experimented heavily with this, and womenswear will likely take it further with coats, blazers, and trousers that look unfinished or mid-construction.  It feeds into the wider appreciation of craftsmanship and imperfection. You’re seeing how the garment is made, and that transparency feels very now with the increasing importance of transparency in the industry. It also gives wearers a sense of intimacy with their clothes, like you’re in on the secret rather than just consuming the final product. 5.Funky shirts & 3D Details  Plain shirts are boring. For those that dare to show a shirt this season I’m begging it isn’t flat, plain and boring. Sewn on appliqués, ruffles, smocking, pleats, and exaggerated textures! Pick one, any one and DO IT.  Menswear already showed a willingness to treat shirts as sculptural pieces rather than basics. Thank god. Womenswear will follow with pieces that feel crafted, almost handmade. These shirts won’t necessarily be loud in colour, but they’ll be loud in detail. They’re the kind of pieces that do the talking for you – paired with simple trousers or layered under tailoring. It’s a return to tactility, to clothes that make you want to reach out and touch them, a statement shirt never goes amiss!  6.Layering that looks accidental but is fully intentional: Layering for fun is coming back. Cropped jackets over long blouses, shirts spilling past hems, mismatched proportions that somehow work. This trend thrives on contradiction and experimentation,  polished yet thrown together, intentional yet effortless.  Expect layers that feel personal, like you got dressed in a rush but somehow nailed it. The key is fun: sheer over opaque, short over long, tailored over floaty. So many combos to play with!  7.Imperfection as styling points:  Perfection is officially boring. A/W26 is shaping up to be the season where imperfection becomes the new perfect. Untucked shirts, exposed seams, frayed hems and deliberately “off” proportions are being styled with intention rather than carelessness. Prada’s A/W26 menswear show nailed this concept perfectly – shirts splashed with coffee stains and finished with raw, fraying hems, yet styled alongside oversized, pristine cufflinks. It was so wrong it felt… right. That contrast is exactly what makes this trend exciting. The tension between something messy and something immaculate creates depth, personality and realism. Womenswear will thrive with this idea through undone tailoring, visibly worn fabrics, mismatched finishes and styling choices that feel human rather than hyper-curated. Clothes that look lived-in, touched, and slightly chaotic. It’s not about looking sloppy – it’s about rejecting polish in favour of character. Fashion that feels imperfect, but oddly perfect. Part 1 wrap up:  And that’s only half of my predictions - Part 2 will discuss my 7 hottest trend predictions for pattern, colour and textures - all the trends that are about to steal the spotlight. See you in part 2!  With love,  Mimi x

I’m off skiing in less than a week and I have thoroughly procrastinated packing. Have I tried on my skigear? No. Have I browsed for hours on vinted? Yes. Have I bought any of these items? No. So while I procrastinate further and panic later I’ve decided to deep dive into iconic skiing outfits and hopefully by the end of writing this I’ll have a whole heap of inspo. I need to look the part not only on the slopes but off too. Who knows who I’ll see down at Apres! Dress to impress always - but how does one accomplish this while wearing half their bodyweight in duck feathers and thermal layers. Whatever it is I'm doing I need to look equally stylish but not like I’m trying too hard. This is where Posh Spice comes in (although I hope she doesn’t sexually dance on me for speaking about her... iykyk (please don't sue me))  Posh Spice 00s Ski-Icon:  Ski season is in full swing and has been for a while now but no one dresses as iconically as they should anymore! I’m trying to channel Victoria Beckham's early 2000s dripping with designer as she majestically floated down the mountains. Injecting high fashion into the Alps is a MUST this February. Someone has to be the trendsetter and I volunteer myself as tribute. I will take one for the team.    Low rise pants and a cropped fur gilet. Are we kidding? An entirely leather ensemble, red on red, or maybe the entirely white look which was undeniably stupid as it blends in with the snow but she did look chic.  POSH SPICE SKI-SEASON Chanel skis, humongous Dior sunnies, and no view of a helmet nor any ski-goggles. Risking it all for the sake of fashion, only a true diva is willing to take those risks. Or perhaps an all-leather ensemble - not practical in the slightest but sometimes we have to sacrifice comfort for the sake of fashion. She is the only person I think has earned the title 00s winter muse.  My year of birth (2006) VB was strutting to the ski lift with a $4000 pair of Chanel Skis slung over her shoulder. I was literally incapable of controlling my limbs and she was skiing like an icon down the Alps. This is well and truly being redeemed this ski-season. I will brave the cold (although it’s usually not even that chilly) for a chance to flaunt my midriff with a slightly cropped faux-fur jacket. Although I will be covered with a helmet and ski-goggles, will I really be able to deliver this level of cool-girl? Safety first!  70s Ski  I’m taking serious style inspo from the 70s for my upcoming ski trip – think bright, high-waisted ski pants, quilted jackets, and chunky knit sweaters that are as cozy as they are statement-making. I’ve actually already occupied some knits for this trip but the jackets are what I’m struggling with! The 70s ski aesthetic focused on bold colours, playful patterns, and oversized accessories, and back then skiing was reserved only for the richest and grandest so everyone was very well dressed. Ski icons like Jean-Claude Killy made hitting the slopes look effortlessly cool, and I’m bringing that same mix of sporty function and stylish flair to my trip this season. Lady Di  Lady Diana has long been one of my style-icons. And not to sound uneducated but until today I was unaware of her influence on ski-attire!!! What a multi-talented woman she was the ultimate ski style icon of the 80s, and her slope-side looks still inspire today.  She somehow managed to look effortlessly elegant as per usual while also rocking a sporty look. She merged class with playfulness, rocking fitted ski jackets, sleek trousers, and soft, oversized knitwear in neutral tones or pops of colour.  LADY DIANA CLASSY AS ALWAYS (EVEN ON THE SLOPES!) Diana’s ski outfits were the perfect example of functional fashion meeting timeless glamour, showing that skiing could be both practical and utterly chic - which is entirely what I’m going for.  So that's great. After my research I’ve now gained the opposite problem. I’ve gone from having no inspiration to having too much inspiration, now I must go scour vinted until I find Chanel Skis for £50, and a monochromatic red Dior ski set for less than a house deposit. Wish me luck!!!  Follow us on socials to see ski content: IG: @itswithlovemimi TIKTOK: @mimipiqua With love,  Mimi x

Skinny jeans are in, then out, then in, and then, of course, they’re out again. Fashion trends move faster than you can buy them sometimes and I’m here to report today on what skinny jeans should be doing in 2026.  I’ve lived through every phase of the skinny jean revival during my Gen-Z upbringing, and now that my frontal lobe is finalising its development, I feel qualified to make a call. I’m here to state that skinny jeans should remain firmly out  at all times - unless on the off chance you can style it with a vintage knee-high boot that sits just below the knee and makes you look like prime WAG Victoria Beckham! No negotiations. So, as we enter 2026, the question stands: are skinny jeans coming with us, or are they staying behind? They did briefly attempt a comeback in 2025, but only under very specific conditions. A fantastic knee-high boot. A deliberate silhouette. A sense of irony. It seems that this is the only  way skinny jeans are currently socially acceptable - and honestly, that says everything.  To really emphasise my point I’ll share a personal anecdote for you. My 82 year old grandmother with no form of social media came over a few weeks ago dressed in presumably head to toe M&S. Skinny jeans, a long cardigan and knee-high boots, to which she said to me - “I’ve been told I’ll be taken to fashion prison if I wear these jeans out in public.” (icon) I of course replied, “Nona you are 82, no one is going to be offended by your style and the boots MAKE the outfit!” She really did look super stylish, especially with the layering and the boots, but how this news of skinny jeans being 'out' got to my grandmother I have no idea because it’s always been a kind of unspoken rule.  Although technically we are entering the year 2026, spiritually we are living in 2016. Everyone has collectively agreed to ignore the ten-year advancement (myself included). To me - and seemingly the other 8 billion people on Earth  - the year is 2016. But why? Because we’re yearning for the power of cringe and authenticity that was so common back then and is somehow frowned upon today. Where is the Rio de Janeiro filter on every single Instagram story? Where are the tiny crop tops paired with aggressively tight skinny jeans and platform Fila trainers? An awful combination, objectively - but I feel like I’ve never felt freer. 2016 lives in our hearts, and because of that, we have  to ask: do skinny jeans deserve to return with us, or should they remain a relic of the past? As a model, I technically have  to own a pair of skinny jeans - it may as well be written into the contract. However, I’ve never truly committed to them. Partly because they make my legs look like candlesticks, and partly because I’ve never found a pair that fits well. They’re either cutting off circulation or pooling awkwardly at the ankle. There’s no in-between. Instead, I always opt for a bootcut. The Power of the Bootcut My all-time favourite jean shape is either a bootcut or a flare - flare if I’m feeling funky, bootcut if I’m playing it safe. To me, the bootcut is the ultimate middle ground between a skinny jean and a flare, which is exactly why it works so well. It gives structure without suffocation. Shape without restriction. It elongates the leg, balances proportions, and feels timeless rather than trend-dependent. A good bootcut can be worn time and time again and with endless combinations and it will exist effortlessly and elegantly every time. It’s the epitome of wearable which is why it will never go out of style.  So… When Are Skinny Jeans “In”? Under some circumstances every single item of clothing on planet earth can be considered fashionable. You just have to give it the right condition, event, or moment and for skinny jeans that now (for me anyway) has to be narrowed down to the below:  With a knee-high boot With a wedge Styled with a model-off-duty energy If you cheat slightly and count a subtle bootcut as a skinny jean - oops.  On the other hand skinny jeans should be considered “out”: With trainers (especially platforms!) Worn with no styling intention, completely alone - yuck Paired with an equally tight top (it’s giving 10 years old) When they’re so tight they look surgically attached When they feature excessive knee rips that serve no purpose or style.  Skinny jeans aren’t inherently bad - they’re just incredibly easy to get wrong. And in a time where fashion is about intention, silhouette, and ease, the margin for error is simply too high. Many people try and many people fail so for those who have no eye for fashion it’s probably best to stop trying at all.  So no, I don’t think we need skinny jeans back. I think we need to let them exist quietly, selectively, and with restraint. Bring them out when the boots demand it - otherwise, let the bootcut's lead the way. Some things are better left in 2016. And that’s okay. We can still feel it in our hearts, I know I will! With love,  Mimi x

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