Mimi Plange Presents Nambia-Inspired Summer/Spring 2012 Collection During NYFW

Rain certainly did not prevent a flock of fashion mavens to attend the Mimi Plange Spring/Summer 2012 show on day one of New York Fashion Week! Inspired by the indigenous women from Herero and Himba of Naimbia, Mimi Plange’s newly released Spring/Summer 2012 collection not only delivers on quality but mixing classic vintage with modern, cutting-edge designs. Yours truly was on the scene capturing the event exclusively for FeelsGood2BHome.com readers! Mimi has had a career high this past year from her NYFW Fall ’11 presentation to celebrities wearing her designs. It’s no wonder she collaborated with premier luxury footwear brand Manolo Blahnik to design a intricately handcrafted two shoe collection for her new line! High-profile fashion industry guests like Vogue Editor-At-Large Andre Leon Talley, celebrity stylist guru Rachel Zoe, fashion designer Duro Olowu, InStyle Magazine fashion editor Nikki Ogunnaike, Pop Africana‘s Oroma Elewa, stylist Ugo Mozie, Hertiage 1960 founder Enyinne Owunwanne and Vogue Italia Editor-At-Large Bethann Hardison came out to support Mimi. Aptly named “A Flower in the Desert”, each style item in the 19-piece collection has luxurious, Mimi-designed floral accents. For her highly-anticipated show, Mimi wore a pink button-up blouse from her new collection with a pair of Manolo Blahnik for Mimi Plange open-toe floral embroidery booties.

What Mimi Wore: Manolo Blahnik intricately beaded Manolo Blahnik x Mimi Plange booties

I spoke to Mimi during the presentation and she spoke highly of the source of her inspiration for A Flower in the Desert collection. The Manolo Blahnik for Mimi Plange shoes are inspired by the Victorian dress of the Herero and the traditional dress of the Himba women of Naimbia. I put together collages of the traditional garments as seen on the Hereo and Himba women of Naimbia. The beading on the floral booties is similar to the Victorian Herero ladies and it reflects the techniques of Southern African detailed pattern beadwork. The tassel and coloring on the leather sandals borrows its inspiration from the Himba woman.

Herero women of Namibia

Himba women of Namibia

Mimi Plange on the Manolo Blahnik collaboration: “I wanted to take the Eastern floral of Spring, the traditional dress of the Himba,the Victorian dress of the Herero and blend them together into something modern, soft and strong. The shoes are reflective of that spirit-modern shapes and heels grounded with traditional beading, lambskin leather and floral patterns. It has been wonderful to see the inspiration showcased with the beauty of a Manolo Blahnik shoe and I am truly honored to have had the opportunity to be able to collaborate with the brand.”

What Mimi Wore: Mimi Plange Spring/Summer 2012 “Norah” draped blouse with folded collar and pearl buttons

One of the night’s biggest attractions was of course the celebrity guests who came out on day one of New York Fashion Week to support Mimi’s latest offering. When Rachel Zoe, Duro Olowu, Bethann Hardison and Andre Leon Talley, the media and bloggers crowded around in amazement. Rachel Zoe, I noticed, wore a printed, custom-made Missoni for Target gown. I drooled over Nikki Ogunnaike’s Alexander McQueen black booties and monochromatic blazer.

Vogue Italia Editor-At-Large Bethann Hardison, Mimi Plange and Nigerian, London-based fashion designer Duro Olowu

Manolo Blahnik x Mimi Plange bootie with floral embroidery 

Nikki Ogunnaike (@NikkiOgun) of InStyle Magazine & Oroma Elewa (@oromaelewa) of Pop’Africana

Stylist guru Rachel Zoe (@rzrachelzoe) with Mimi Plange

Mimi Plange on her Spring/Summer 2012 A Flower in A Desert: “I was thinking of Nambia. I wanted to take the Eastern floral of Spring, the traditional dress of the Himba, the Victorian dress of the Herero, and blend them together into something modern, soft and strong.”

We agree with Vogue’s positive stamp of approval for the Mimi Plange label. Continued success, Mimi! Follow Mimi on Twitter: @MimiPlange. Add her on Facebook: Facebook.com/MimiPlange

photos: Chi-Chi for FeelsGood2BHome.com, wireimage, Google Images and mimi plange