Our story
Inspiration in ordinary places
If you look closely, and with an open mind, you can find beauty and inspiration in the most ordinary of places and the most ordinary of things. A shell on a deserted, wind-swept beach; a piece of hand-blown glass with colours that are mismatched, but somehow just right; the landscape after a heavy drenching of rain, or months of endless sun; a piece of vintage jewellery, lovingly preserved; an antique plate that’s been the centrepiece of lively dinner parties through the 40s, the 70s and now on our family dinner table today.
An endless fascination with beauty and with story has been the inspiration and launching pad for Mimi Studio. Here, vintage and designer fabrics collected from around the world, and bearing the weight of provenance, metamorphose into bespoke, timeless, pieces of art.
We’re the curator of stories; the weaver of memories; and the creator of a limited series of art pieces that will transcend space and time to become treasured markers of history in their own right.
Each stitch is a testament to our commitment to beauty, art, craftsmanship, and the timeless stories that live within every piece.
The art of sustainable luxury
At Mimi Studio, we curate fabrics from across the globe – sourcing from craft fairs, private sellers and specialists dealing in rare, vintage textiles. Some fabrics are unused from the bolt, while others have had an early life as curtains or other soft furnishings. These pieces are carefully unstitched, washed and refreshed, ready for their next chapter. We hand-select only those in pristine condition, ensuring the highest quality and uniqueness.
Our philosophy is inspired by the concept of a circular economy – which reduces waste and extends the life of materials. We apply this mindset to our cushions, sourcing small batches of preserved vintage upholstery fabrics and transforming them into a limited series of covetable cushions with their own rich stories to tell.
Because we work with rare and vintage textiles, we’re committed to making the most of every inch. Each cushion is carefully cut to a size that makes the most of the limited fabric, ensuring minimal wastage - a beautiful, sustainable addition to the concept of reduce, reuse, recycle and repurpose.
Where it all began
My fascination with design and creativity began at an early age. I recall hours spent crafting intricate doll clothes on my hand-crank sewing machine, using scraps from mum’s dressmaking fabrics. It was a world where imagination knew no limits, and every stitch felt like a step toward bringing something beautiful to life.
In my late teens, I started collecting fabrics of my own. I loved the thrill of finding the perfect piece for a dress design that lived in my mind. And I still remember the excitement of purchasing my first electric sewing machine when I was 17. These moments felt like stepping into a new chapter of creativity.
It was never just about the finished piece. The magic was in the making - turning a spark of an idea into something lasting: a tailored coat, a crisp cotton shirt, a slip dress cut on the bias. Each one a quiet collaboration between beauty and intention.
Forward to 2025, and after 30 years in diverse corporate marketing roles, I took a leap of faith - leaving behind the familiar to pursue what had always been my true passion: art, beauty and storytelling through design. Mimi Studio is the culmination of that leap, where every fabric has a story to tell, and every cushion is a testament to the magic of creation.
Marnie x
