I took a break from my Black History Month Living Legends Series yesterday with all the Grammy hubbub, but i am kicking it back off again with fabulous Fashion Designer, Mimi Plange!The Ghanaian born California girl moved to New York after graduating from the University California, and took the fashion world by storm, capturing the hearts of Vogue editors, dressing First Lady Michelle Obama, and collaborating with Manolo Blahnik for three consecutive seasons on a line of delectably chic shoes.
She took some time away from fine tuning her Spring 2015 collection to tell her story, and offer tips on how to break into the world of fashion design.
She says, “I started out at the University of California, Berkeley where I got my Bachelor’s in Architecture and a minor in Dramatic Art. I knew I wanted to be a Fashion Designer at that time, but my mother was so skeptical, I needed to have something to fall back on, and for me, Architecture was a discipline that had a bit more stability but was creative. I’m so glad I did that because it really gave me a strong design foundation for finding creative solutions. After graduating, I went on to the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in San Francisco and got my second degree in Fashion Design.
She continues, “I moved to New York right after I graduated from college with $400 and really big dreams! I started working in the Fashion Industry 3 weeks later as a Merchandiser for a jewelry company that did private label for many department stores. I worked my way up gradually within the industry from an assistant designer, to designer, to head designer, and eventually to VP of Design overseeing women’s, men’s and junior apparel lines. I worked in fashion for 11 years and launched a Design Consulting company called SB&P Designs, LLC. I eventually launched Mimi Plange in 2010.”
Her line of preppy, textured pieces have found their way into the pages of Ebony, Vogue, and Women’s Wear Daily, and into the wardrobe of our fabulous First Lady.
First Lady Michelle Obama in Mimi Plange on The View
So how do you break in? Plange asserts, “Try a few different things within the Fashion Industry before you decide. There are many opportunities within the industry like, Merchandising, Buying, Selling, Illustration, Design, Patternmaking, marketing and PR etc. Know what you are good at to speed things along. Fashion School or apprenticeships probably are a good start. Intern if you can, no matter what! Try to do it while in school to help you break into the job market faster. Most internships are not full time-so you can do that and get another job that pays. . .Be willing to do what has to be done. The competition actually is fierce out there. . .and if you aren’t willing, there are many people who are.”
A Mimi Plange Jumpsuit in Ebony Magazine
She continues, “Be humble. If you are amazing, don’t worry it will come out eventually, start out as a listener. Be helpful and active and remember, you don’t get rewards for doing what you are supposed to be doing. You get rewards for doing that and more. ”
For people of color and millenials, she offers this pointed advice: “Be
present to what is going on in the world today. Think about where you
want to be tomorrow, and understand that the world is getting smaller.
There are no boundaries surrounding you. America is one of the most
amazing countries in the world, but think beyond America. Think Global.
The fashion industry is a tough industry for anyone, even tougher when
you have limited resources. Unfortunately, most people will not care
about your circumstances. Compete as a designer, period. See yourself
in direct competition with the brands you want to sit next to. No
limits, no boxes-be free.”
In closing, she says, “You are your only barrier, keep working on yourself, keep working out your fears, only you will make this happen.”
Great advice!
I got a sneak peak of Mimi’s Spring 2015 collection, and you will love it. Stay tuned for the lookbook. Until then, learn more at MimiPlange.com and on Instagram @MimiPlange.
Aspiring designers and fashion industry hopefuls: was this helpful?
Stay tuned for more interviews with Living Fashion Legends this week!
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