Maison Mimi redeems itself with the SS16 collection

Abuja based womenswear brand Maison Mimi has had a number of false starts attempting to gain the industry’s attention, most recently its Dark Forest collection (inspired by the music of pop starlet Roses Gabor) which was a disappointingly ordinary cache of wardrobe staples done in an uninspiring grey.

But the label has changed tack in recent months, diversifying it’s approach to design and retailing by releasing a resort collection and a niche kaftan collection. It has also downsized, reducing the number of pieces in it’s collection to a compact 10 looks. With all of this acitivity around Maison Mimi, we were truly excited to see what she would put out for her spring 16 collection.

Cosmopolitan. Modern. Fun. This collection embodies the spirit of a city girl, London, she lives in a basement/loft conversion in Soho. She works delivery for a start up magazine in Portman square, so catching the tube isn’t the best for her jumpsuits or brocade capes but it was the most efficient. Her night job was creating garments that spoke of her fun character, modern structures and silhouettes inspired by Poplar Financial District’s skyline. Luckily, she had no new neighbors complaining of noise. Because friends were high ranking assistants in London’s fashion scene – her party days weren’t over just yet!

These are the press notes for the label’s new collection ‘6 Grosvenors Gardens’, a tad overhanded but forgivable when you actually see the collection. With just nine looks, Mimi Habibah leaps out of her comfort zone, experimenting with colour, texture and volume. The tailoring is much stronger in this collection as is the construction. She reworks the jumpsuit, adding a deconstructed zipper and slant sleeves, turning into one of the season’s must have looks. She also tackles the super-mini in faux snake skin and puts out slinky jersey dresses that are both sexy and comfortable.

As always, Maison Mimi’s shoots herself in the foot in her choice of tailoring and styling. The shoes on her model don’t fit, and the seams on some of the pieces are lumpy, destroying otherwise clean lines. It almost feels like self sabotage considering the work Habibah puts into her collections. Lofty ideas are great but attention to detail is what separates the successful labels from the rat race.