La Petite Special Issue 6 | Page 96

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