Daily Inspiration: Meet Mimi Phillips

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mimi Phillips.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I launched my professional career working in fashion design and production. After a few years, I wanted more. I was eager to get my hands not only on the clothes but the environments they lived in. Naturally, I expanded to Art Direction and took an exciting position with the Creative Department for Ralph Lauren designing and installing their window displays in their flagship store on Madison Avenue.

In 2014, I decided to start my own Art Direction company. Working as a stylist and art director is like a big scavenger hunt. Over time, I started fantasizing about the perfect pieces of jewelry for clients and photoshoots. That was when Minnie Lane came to life. I launched my collection in 2017 hoping to blend art history with pop culture. My collection is everything that I looked for, and dreamt of, but could never find.

Within the industry, I saw a big gap in the market between serious investment items and fun mass-produced accessories that wouldn’t last a hand wash. My collection fills that void with fashion-forward pieces that are timeless in terms of design and quality, at an accessible price point.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I would, but of course there has been a learning curve.  As a business owner, I have to wear many hats- some of which play to my strengths, others are in my blind spots. I have had to learn a lot along the way and still struggle in some areas. My advice is to surround yourself with hard-working, trustworthy people who also compliment your skillset.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I strive to design interesting, conversational pieces that tell a story.  The Scarlett bracelet is most certainly the gateway drug for the brand. Together with my best friend, visual artist, Scarlett Baily, we sculpted a nude woman to be worn as a bracelet inspired by her #DesnudaDiario (#NakedEveryday) portrait series.

For this series, Scarlett did an open call for nude female models, and the product was amazing- 30 portraits of women representing various body types, who had never posed in the nude before. You could sense the liberation in her portraits. The feeling, along with the elongated and illustrative aesthetic of her work was when I knew we had to join forces and create something together. I am so happy that this is the item that hooks people because it really embodies the ethos of my brand. It is truly wearable art.

We worked together to sculpt the figure and it captures the playful, elegant, and unique style that Minnie Lane is all about. The nude bangle celebrates the beauty and power of the female form in a fun and celebratory way, at a time that it is more important than ever to stand out, be proud, and be seen as a woman.

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The most challenging part of having my jewelry line is balancing creative and business time. At the end of the day, I am running my own company and there is plenty of administrative work behind the sparkly scene.

I have to work diligently to set aside free time to get inspired for new collections. The work is endless, and I could easily fall into a rabbit hole of work, so it requires a lot of discipline to prioritize, delegate, and close up shop for the day to recharge.

Sometimes stepping away is almost impossible, but is imperative for my creativity and endurance.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: minnielanedesigns.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/minnielane
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/minnielanedesigns
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ka0PAveWdhY

Image Credits
Taylor Ballantyne, Nolan Knight, Miller Bowron, Darien DiCianno, and Miller Bowron