With the last bank holiday weekend over, it may appear summer is over. But forever hopeful, we Brits like to cling on to hope that we may be heading for an Indian summer this September. And to keep our positive spirits up, why not invest in new swimwear? The future is bright with the brand Mimie Reed.
This particular swimwear is sustainably made by an entrepreneur of the same name. Her vintage-inspired swimwear designs are created to flatter the female form (we could all do with some help with the over-indulgence during covid) and made from ocean waste. A lot of the material used in the swimwear comes from regenerated nylon, and the accessories are handmade in Italy.
Mimie Reed also recently launched her Holiday Capsule Collection, which is available at her pop-up in Malta’s Cugo Gran Macina Grand Harbour Hotel.
Background
The new brand of sustainable luxury swim and resort wear was founded by Swedish-born, Malta-based designer Mimie Reed and is inspired by old school glamour and fashion influences from the 1940s and ’50s. Mimie told Luxurious Magazine that her inspiration comes from these decades, in her view, is the golden era of fashion. Swimwear trends in the 1940s were dominated by short, tight dresses with a V-neck or halter-style top.
This feminine take on the traditional one-piece had begun to revolutionise the swimwear industry. And it is an era that has provided the stimulus for her new collection of monochrome pieces – a conservative elegance that focuses on celebrating the female form.
As a frequent traveller and sunseeker, Mimie often found herself on the hunt for the perfect swimsuit in which she would always feel comfortable and stylish. And not finding anything suitable, she simply decided to create one herself.
“Over the years, I have always found myself happiest by the beach and the ocean,” she explained. “But I always struggled to find swimwear that reflected my passion for vintage but that also used contemporary materials that flattered form and were good for the environment. I saw a gap in the market and aimed to fill it.”
The Collection
The Mimie Reed collection features nine swimsuits, including the best-selling Grace Belted Swimsuit (€290), the Doris Tankini Top (€110) and Swimskirt (€110), and the Vivian Ruched Swimdress (€290). Sizes run from 34 to 42 and bra sizes from B to E. Resort wear features two cover-ups, the Norma Contrast Kaftan (€300) and the Rose Beach Kimono (€140) and accessories include hair-protecting turbans (€99), cat-eye sunglasses (€180) and wide-brimmed straw hats (€280).
Although the Mimie Reed swimwear collections are an ode to the golden age of glamour, the designer is just as focused on the future. The whole ethos of Mimie Reed is in being ethical and sustainable. Although many brands bandy these words around to generate extra sales, Mimie Reed, to coin an oft used phrase, “Puts their money where their mouth is.”
Sustainability
For example, each of the swimsuits is made using regenerated nylon from discarded ocean waste such as fishing nets or ghost nets. There are a couple of obvious reasons why the brand does this; firstly, it helps the seas, its inhabitants and the planet.
Secondly, it makes the swimwear much longer-lasting and hard-wearing, and in addition to this makes them easier to recycle.
This focus on sustainability doesn’t only focus on swimwear; it extends across the brand’s entire range.
For example, the sunglasses which are made in Italy uses bio-acetate, a natural renewable and biodegradable alternative to plastic, and even the handmade hats use 100% straw.
Mimie Reed is also a champion of diversity and inclusivity. She designs her swimsuits to flatter all shapes and sizes of the female form. The power is in the detail. Swimsuits feature moulded cups for maximum support and are double-lined to provide quality and hold without sacrificing comfort.
Mimie explains: “We are passionate about slow fashion, including sourcing the right materials. It was important for me to be a brand of purpose with a focus on sustainability and inclusivity,” explains Mimie.
“And I also wanted to give something back. Three per cent of all purchases made are donated directly to the Olive Ridley Project, which protects sea turtles and their habitats in the Indian Ocean.”
Mimie Reed – Where and How?
For more information on Mimie Reed or to shop the look, visit www.mimiereed.com.
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