There are a few things that every woman should have in her closet: neutral colors, easy-to-mix options and pieces that uniquely fit her personal style. Mimi Miller, a born-and-raised Northern Virginian, knows how important that formula is to fashion. The womenswear designer, whose showroom and studio is based in Manassas, is the creator of the Mimi Miller Core Collection, released in late March. It’s a series of clothing consisting of seasonless, neutral-colored styles meant to be used as the basics of any wardrobe.
“Classic A-line skirts, simple V-neck tops; I saw people asking for those styles, so I was thinking how I could offer those, but still build new pieces at the same time,” says Miller, the founder of the eponymous brand. “That’s when I was like ‘OK, maybe I can have a permanent collection.’” And thus, the Core Collection was born.
The 26-year-old graduated with a bachelor’s degree in fashion design from Marymount University in 2015, and started her brand the following year. “When I graduated, I didn’t want to get out of the habit of creating and designing, and so I was on a hunt to find fabric at wholesale pricing, went to textile trade shows and created some samples. I was like, ‘You know what? Maybe I should offer these as made-to-order pieces and this can be something on the side while I’m looking for a job,’” she says.
Four years and five collections later, Miller created the Core Collection, consisting of simple, classic styles, meant to be “the core of your wardrobe, pieces that you can pull out every day and easily add a handbag to, or shoes, and use accessories to dress them up,” says Miller.
The Mimi Miller brand releases two collections annually for fall/winter and spring/summer, but the Core Collection will be available year-round. It consists of nine styles, including simple tops, A-line skirts and dresses in black, navy, rust, sage, green and ivory, ranging in sizes XS-XL. “In terms of numbers, that includes zero all the way up to a size 18,” says Miller. Four pieces of the collection were released in March, and the rest will continue to be released throughout the course of the year.
The new release also aligns with the brand’s fundamental beliefs: ethical production, supporting local businesses and affordability. Miller’s clothing is made step-by-step in the DMV region (her manufacturer is located in DC) and she partners with local boutiques and vendors to sell her designs on consignment. Northern Virginians can find her pieces at Park Story in the Mosaic District, and Shopkeepers in DC. Miller also likes to aim to keep her prices under $300, with installment payment plan options available through AfterPay, which allows a purchase to be paid for in four equal installments, due every two weeks.
Environmental factors are also always a consideration when choosing textiles. “The first release that I made, the pieces are nylon, which comes from degenerated wood pulp,” says Miller. “The Core Collection has the same ability and initiative as well, using natural fibers.” She goes on to mention the negative impact of the fashion production process (citing polyester and cotton as two of the harshest fabrics on the environment), natural fibers’ ability to regulate body temperature and ease of washing as reasons for choosing natural fibers for her products.
“For a piece that’s going to be a part of your everyday wardrobe, you don’t want to have it sitting at the dry cleaners for a few days,” Miller says. “You want to be able to throw it in the wash, hang dry it and then immediately wear it the next day.”
Miller works out of her home in Manassas, having converted a bedroom into a design studio and showroom. Customers may schedule visits to the showroom on her brand’s website, and they are able to shop her collections online and in select stores, as well. “For the stores I choose to carry my brand, I look at their price points, their aesthetics and if they are focused on independent and emerging brands,” says Miller, who is planning to work with more local shops in the area. She hopes to have a own brick and mortar within the next five years. An emerging designer, indeed.
Mimi Goes to Market
Miller will showcase her collection at Unique Market D.C. on May 12, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The pop-up event will be held at Dock 5 behind DC’s Union Market.
This post originally appeared in our May 2019 issue. Want more shopping content? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
