Byron Bay slow fashion label Mimi Holvast is creating timeless transeasonal clothing
IMAGE VIA @mimiholvast/INSTAGRAM
WORDS BY CAIT EMMA BURKE
“It really is slow fashion. I work on a design and test it until I know it’s perfect. There is so much involved in getting a garment into your hands.”
For as long as she can remember, Mimi Holvast has been making clothes for herself and others. Taught to sew by her mum, she went on to study fashion design and technology at Ultimo TAFE where she refined her patternmaking and sewing skills.
But when one of her teachers encouraged her and her classmates to get their designs “made in China for 20 cents”, it was a watershed moment. Despite many people telling her that sustainable fashion was little more than a passing fad, she knew she wanted to do things differently.
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Combining her lifelong love of sewing with her penchant for timeless, transeasonal clothing made from high-quality fabrics, her eponymous label Mimi Holvast was born. Based in Byron Bay, all of the label’s designs are made locally, and Mimi is the sole designer, patternmaker, sampler, cutter, presser and seamstress. Below, she shares the label’s journey so far, and why slow fashion is worth investing in.
Tell us about you. What’s your fashion background?
My name is Mimi and my label is Mimi Holvast. I have been making clothes for as long as I can remember, with my mum teaching me to sew when I was young. I graduated from fashion design and technology at Ultimo TAFE in 2014. I really loved the course – it was super hands-on and more production-based than fashion-y which meant that I learnt all the technical and professional ways to pattern-make and sew.
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It was such an incredible experience that at the end when my teacher told our class to “Go get everything made in China for 20 cents”, I knew I had to go against the grain. At the time I was told that sustainable fashion and organic fibres were a ‘fad’. I knew from this that I wanted to do something with the amazing skills I’d learnt, as well as only make clothes moving forward if it was purposeful, and with the best interest of our environment at its core.
How did the label get started? Talk us through the process and the challenges.
The way Mimi Holvast started was a very organic process. I had just finished studying and was about to go overseas for a few months. I had made a few pieces from my graduation collection in more neutral and ready-to-wear fabrics and had started to test them out before the trip. I had a bunch of friends then friends of friends asking for the pieces and from there I started making garments and I haven’t stopped since. I officially launched Mimi Holvast the label in 2017.
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I still have some pieces from that original conception on my website today, and I have a big focus on transeasonal trendless garments. I’ve since expanded my size offerings and am often in the process of refining my patterns and making custom-size orders, which is a perk of being small batch/made-to-order.
What were you trying to achieve from the project at the time? How has this evolved and what are you trying to communicate through the brand now?
Mimi Holvast is all about timeless designs with attention to detail. The quality of fabric and really good construction are top priority. It really is slow fashion – I work on a design and test it until I know it’s perfect. There is so much involved in getting a garment into your hands.
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Luckily, I skip the back and forth of dealing with a factory as I am the sole designer, patternmaker, sampler, size grader, cutter, presser and seamstress. I want people to understand how much is actually involved in making any garment and that all garments that are sewn are actually handmade by many people.
How would you describe your label to someone who’s never seen it before?
Mimi Holvast encapsulates transeasonal women’s clothing that is practical (think pockets) as well as versatile from work to play, night to day and everything in between. There is a strong focus on high-quality fabrics combined with quality construction and garment-finishing techniques for clothing that will last a long time, and feel amazing every time you put it on.
What are you most proud of in your work on your label?
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I’m so proud of the quality and longevity of the garments I make; being able to dress so many wonderful people, working with so many incredible talents, being involved in pop-up shops as well as last year hosting my own pop-up shop in Sydney. I feel really proud that I’m able to do the work I do and to keep the manufacturing industry alive in Australia.
Dream Australian collaborators?
I have recently worked alongside Braer to make ‘A pocket, for when you don’t have a pocket’ which has been so much fun. I would love to work alongside some of my favourite artists/makers/entrepreneurs such as Evie Cahir, Bacteria Books, Softedge Studio, Kayleigh Heydon, Fruitopia the list goes on!
Who is in your wardrobe right now?
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Obviously, lots of Mimi Holvast, as well as my fave jeans by Hera, my go-to Post Sole Studio sandals and Non Private singlets and underwear.
Anything else to add?
I’ve just launched a few new cute summery made-to-order pieces!
You can explore Mimi Holvast’s range here.
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