W H E R E IS YOUR BRA N D BA SE D ? We
community, adding to its productivity and vitality.
years (and even till this day!) to let each person
are based in Orange County, California, thus our
Lastly, we know that there are many skilled artisans
take complete ownership of their role and area of
Sunny Socal vibe.
still here, so we want to provide an outlet to
responsibility. It’s challenging sometimes to know
showcase their skills.
which hat we have on when we talk to each other,
but Helen’s calm and practical temperament is
C A N YOU TELL US A BO U T H O W
MIMOBEE FIRST BEGA N ? Mimobee came
W E L O V E T H E D ES I G N P ER S P EC T I VE
usually enough to calm Tom down when he gets
about as a solution to a problem. Helen, the
O F M IM O B EE. WH AT MO T I VAT ES AN D
too excited.
creative force behind the brand, was shopping for
IN SPIR ES T H E MI N I MALI S T I C VI S I O N ?
her niece, and couldn’t find any clothes that would
(Helen) The simpleness and honesty of children
D O Y O U H AVE A FAVOR ITE ITE M
work. There were all the typical graphics and logos
inspires me. Kids are so unassuming, fun and
FR O M T H E C U R R EN T COLLE CTION?
garments, lots of printed patterns, and really bright
unpredictable in their creativity and worldview,
Tom’s favorite item from this season is the Dakota
colors and embellishments. There wasn’t anything
which gives me new eyes to see the world. My
Riding Pants—to him, the riding pants look
that was minimal, with a contemporary look, and
personal style is also on the minimalist side,
meshed with a loose harem look just gives the
she knew would be comfortable to wear. Thus
with subtle design points, so it’s a perfect union
garment a great look. The Rock It Romper is a
began the idea for what you see now as Mimobee.
between my style, and designing for these wild
close second with the cool wraparound smiley
creatures called kids.
pocket. Helen’s favorite is also the Romper—just
pull it on and you’re good to go!
W H E R E DOES THE NA M E C O M E
FR O M ? Our core belief as a brand is to help
C A N YO U T EL L U S AB O U T T H E
people live authentic lives, even at a young age.
D E SIGN P R O C ES S AT MI MO B EE? (Helen)
H AVE Y O U ALWAY S B E E N INTE R E STE D
We want to tap into a child’s inner creative being,
I’m always working a season ahead, and my mind
I N FAS H I O N AN D PART ICULAR LY
rather than what the world dictates they should be.
is constantly (Tom: this is true) on and researching
C H I L D R EN ’ S FAS H I O N? (Helen) I’ve been
As it relates to our brand ethos, it means that our
and forecasting all the time. After that, the
passionate about fashion since high school, and
clothes, while minimalist, cool, and comfortable,
sketches start flowing, and from all the scribbles
have worked in the industry for many, many years.
allows the child to shine through. We feel that a
and notes, the final silhouettes come out. Once
We’ve always loved kids, especially with our
lot of garments are billboards putting words and
that’s completed, then it’s on to the colors, which
nieces and nephews, so we thought it’d be a great
attitudes onto the kids, whereas Mimobee’s clothes
have also been bubbling during the designing and
marriage of two areas that are so important for us.
allow the kids to just be themselves—keeping it
sketching stages. There are always pieces that
It is a bit ironic though, since we don’t have kids of
real—but just adding the right amount of style. In
you leave on the board, and it’s really challenging
our own. Just two fur babies.
terms of the actual name, the inspiration comes
to narrow down the final collection. However, it’s
from the Mobius strip, which we feel captures the
become easier as we’ve grown season by season
AR E T H ER E AN Y U P C OM ING
essence of authenticity in its infinity loop.
and are more comfortable about what we are and
P R O J EC T S T H AT Y O U CAN SHAR E
what we represent.
WI T H U S ? Well…we are launching what we call
micro-collections this year, taking our experience
C A N YOU TALK ABOU T W H Y YO U
H AV E CHOS EN TO PR O D U C E YO U R
W H AT R O LES D O Y O U EAC H P L AY
from the C3 collaborations. These will be small 2-5
P ROD UCTS S OLELY IN TH E U . S. ?
IN TH IS B U S I N ES S AN D H O W D O
piece collections launched online only, and will also
We believe that the best a company can do is
YO U F EEL Y O U C O MP L EMEN T
include mom pieces as well. These will be limited
to provide a great product, which means being
E A C H O T H ER ? Helen is the creative genius
edition pieces only available during the time it’s
hands-on in the production process, maintaining
behind Mimobee, with her inspirations being
offered for sale, and provides us a creative outlet
superior quality from the fabric selection, cutting
the foundation for each of the great pieces we
to showcase pieces that we think are fun and great
and sewing, and dyeing all the way through to the
create. Tom takes care of everything else—sales,
designs that we think moms and kids will love!
final packaging and fulfillment. Additionally, we
marketing, operations, and chief dog-walker. As
also strive to be a positive influence in o ur local
a husband and wife team, we’ve learned over the
L A PET I T E M A GA Z I N E | 9 3