FOR X MIMO Market

When your really good friends decide to follow their entrepreneurial spirits and undertake the very difficult task of opening up a clothing boutique, the instinctive reaction is to rally behind them and support their journey. There's no greater joy than being able to share life-defining moments with people you love and believe in -- bearing witness to the triumphs, trials and tribulations, the glorious high highs and the unpreventable lows that come along with starting your own business only leaves you wanting to get involved in their adventure.

My girl friends in Miami are doing just that and the determination they're demonstrating is incredibly inspiring and contagious. Allow me to introduce you, my amazing readers, to my amazing homegirls and their new endeavor: MIMO Market. And I'm super thrilled to have Lisa as a sidekick for this post!


My girl Lisa and I met years ago during my first internship in New York at Marie Claire magazine. She hired me as her intern after I relentlessly hounded her for weeks. We ended up developing a strong friendship that stood the test of distance for many years until I moved to New York permanently 3 years ago, and again now because she abandoned me left the Big Apple to go back to her hometown of Miami last summer.

The girl has some serious fashion cred: Marie Claire, Elle and more recently, Bloomingdale's. The dream of opening a boutique of her own always lived in her heart and it was an organic progression as she boomeranged back to south Florida.


She partnered with Lani, an equally talented friend with similar aspirations, and together they founded MIMO Market, the name serving as an acronym for Miami Inspires Modern Originality. Get ready for a new generation of clothing store: the kind that just gets you.

Once they open up in August, they're slated to become a not-to-be-missed destination for personal style in the booming area of Wynwood, thanks in part to their involvement in the community and the buzz they're already garnering via social media. And bring your boyfriend because they've got menswear too.


Certainly, everyone reading this is familiar with Miami? Now, tell me: what is the first thing that springs to mind when conjuring up images of the city where the heat is on? South Beach? Nightlife? Bodycon dresses? Skin galore? Douchery (yep, I'm going there)? You're not alone.

But think again.

The next time you find yourself booking a trip to the steamy party capital, do NOT leave without a pilgrimage to Wynwood. It's the hottest up and coming area, it's where street art is king, the cool kids hang, locals frequent and trends are born. All those murals plastering your Instagram feed thanks to the Art Basel-dwelling scene you follow on the social platform? All in Wynwood.


Speaking of scene, are you tired of Collins Avenue or the pretentious vibes of Fontainebleau? Look no further than Wynwood for a conglomeration of pop-up galleries, live art shows, delicious food and all-around radness. Above all, this budding neighborhood is all about its sense of community. There's incredible support and camaraderie between the businesses, which makes you feel like you're actually a part of something even bigger as a contributor to this new dynamic area. It's truly palpable.


So when my Chinese princess, Lisa, graced New York City with her presence last week, we seized the obvious opportunity to collaborate. I'm so excited to share the awesomeness of MIMO Market with you guys, as we're both wearing pieces that will be available in the shop come their August opening.

As you can tell, the vibe is cool, versatile, edgy, affordable, young and fun. Our personal styles are on two ends of the spectrum, and the MIMO merch caters to us both. Their democratic approach is something that all women can relate to and that will no doubt make their patrons faithful regulars.


Lisa and Lani are making MIMO more than just a store. They're able to telegraph their vision by creating a MIMO world via a creative, inspiring blog, as well as a strong social media presence. They're laying the groundwork in order to be able to assert MIMO as a mainstay on the scene. My girl friends are mini moguls, what can I say?


Photos by Ian Rusiana


Details
On Me:
T-shirt - Chrldr (available at MIMO Market in August)
Vegan leather vest - Mink Pink (available at MIMO Market in August)
Cutoffs - J Brand (similar)
Shoes - Jason Wu
Earrings - Lauren Wolf
Necklace - Rings & Tings (similar)
Rings - Saint Laurent, vintage & Chic Peek

On Lisa:
Joa shorts, available at MIMO Market in August

Follow MIMO Market on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook to keep up with all the updates!

As I mentioned earlier, building a business from the ground up (literally and figuratively) means not only moments of great joy, but also overcoming a series of hurdles. Conquering financial challenges fortunately come with practical solutions, like calling on the human spirit to lend a hand. Including yours!

PLEASE VISIT THE MIMO MARKET KICKSTARTER PAGE!!!PLEASE VISIT THE MIMO MARKET KICKSTARTER PAGE!!!PLEASE VISIT THE MIMO MARKET KICKSTARTER PAGE!!!
You'll be able to learn more about what they're doing and become a part of their journey as well. Whether you donate $5 or $50, they're offering great incentives for you generosity and your cash is sure to go a very long way for two girls who are developing something really amazing. There are only 9 days left to their campaign, make it count you guys!

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