Meet Mimi Simpson, the winner of the Considered Fashion Award at GFW21. Mimi impressed the award judges, Orsola De Castro from Fashion Revolution and Patrick McDowell, fashion designer and activist. Her 6 look collection is made entirely of up-cycled materials that she sourced from second hand and charity stores where Mimi worked. Read more below!
How do you feel about winning an award at GFW21?
I feel so honoured to be recognised for my collection and my focus on considered fashion, it's such an amazing opportunity to be a part of Graduate Fashion Week, particularly through such a difficult year.
What is the most valuable thing you have learnt at university?
The BA Fashion course at Kingston teaches you be to very resilient and always problem solve any issues that arrive in your work.
What was the starting point of inspiration for your final project?
I knew that I wanted to centre my collection around sustainability, but I wanted to do it in a way that would be beneficial to others as well. I began volunteering at Marys living and giving charity shop, and collected their waste garments to create my collection.
What form does your FMP take?
My final project is my 6 look collection along with my editorial look book and digital portfolio. At Kingston, we were still able to create our full 6 looks in final fabrics during the pandemic, which was such a challenge but we're so lucky we had the ability to do so.
What materials have you used and how did you source them?
I used waste fabrics sourced from a charity shop in which I volunteered in, which in turn also help them to repurpose their garments and not create so much waste as a store. I also collected fabrics from my local community during lockdown when donating wasn't allowed. This saved a lot of materials from otherwise being thrown out. I enjoyed using the interior based fabrics that I got donated, as well as the lace pieces, which I got scraps from the wedding and lingerie small brands, these were a challenge to work with and pushed my fabrication choices.
How has it evolved from your initial ideas and what have you learnt along the way?
I think what enabled my collection to evolve the most was the problem solving I faced along the way. Having second-hand fabrics meant that I came across a lot of issues of running out of fabric. Therefore, my collection evolved when I used experimental panelling to piece together my garments. I have learnt a multitude of things along the way which will be so helpful to me in my future career.
What are the messages and themes behind your project that you want people to take away? Do explore any topics like diversity, sustainability or politics in your work?
I have explored social issues surrounding sustainability and upcycling, I wanted to focus on continually trying not to waste fabric, reducing waste footprint, therefore, I used some toiles for final garments as well using as many deadstock garments/ waste products as possible. I also explored gender norms, I believe that the industry is pushing but need to push further towards more freedom within the dressing. My collection is for an individual to mix and match the pieces they feel best in no matter the gender of each person, as I believe all garments can be for anyone.
What’s an aspect of the fashion industry that you’re passionate about fixing or having a positive impact on?
I would love to make a positive impact on circularity within the industry, it’s great that some companies now have a department that focuses on the ethics and consideration of the brand and that's something I would love to implement or become a part of.
Now that you have finished your degree, what's your plan?
There is still so much I want to explore within the industry, I would love to have a sustainable role within a company I really aspire towards, it would be amazing to be in a design role and making a difference in the industry. I also would love to continue my collection as I still have many ideas for it, it would be great to have the opportunity to make more garments within production.