We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Mimi Philips. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Mimi below.

Mimi, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

Working as a stylist and art director is like a big scavenger hunt. Over time I started fantasizing about the perfect pieces of jewelry for clients and photoshoots. That was when Minnie Lane came to life. I created my first collection in 2017. It is everything that I looked for, and dreamt of, but could never find.

Within the industry, I saw a big gap in the market between serious investment items and fun mass-produced accessories that wouldn’t last a hand wash. My collection fills that void with fashion-forward pieces that are timeless in terms of design and quality, at an accessible price point.

In terms of my brand’s aesthetic, my personal style certainly informs my design process. An elegance that doesn’t take itself too seriously is my style mantra. This collection bridges high and low; statement and minimal; vintage-inspired and new; sexy and silly; and pop and surrealism.

The feeling of my brand rescues that playfulness we had as children but in a sophisticated and classic way. I love playing with art history and pop culture references to create something wearable. I consider each piece an amulet to girl power, a homage to a legendary woman, and a celebration of art.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Minnie Lane is the product of many design adventures that all began in my adolescence. I like to think of my collection as a line that has been unconsciously in the works for years, as it is essentially a return to my roots. After completing my studies in Fashion Design in the US, Paris, and New Zealand, I had my eyes set on the concrete jungle… where dreams are made of- New York City! In 2008 I made the fashion capital home and launched my professional career working in design and production for Lela Rose, and more edgy independent fashion labels like Shelly Steffee. My work in design development segued into experimenting with its application by way of wardrobe styling. Working as a stylist put my imagination to work as I created stories through clothing and accessories with brands like: Jessie James, Ralph Lauren, By Smith, DKNY, and most exciting- working one on one with personal clients.

Soon, in true New York Fashion, I wanted more. I was eager to get my hands not only on the clothes but the environments they lived in. Naturally, I expanded to Art Direction and took an exciting position as Creative Presentation Coordinator with the Creative Department for the Ralph Lauren flagship stores on Madison Avenue.

In 2014, I started my own Art Direction company when I heard the siren call and followed my heart to Nashville. I took on great new clients like: Cadeau, Reba McIntyre, Draper James, Karama Collection, Nashville Lifestyles, Country Music Awards, People Magazine, and Lemon Laine. Delightful projects like Reese Witherspoon’s book, “Whiskey in a Tea Cup,” and Martina McBride’s holiday cookbook added to the bill of collaborations. Nashville also allowed me to work closer consulting for my family business, Designmaster Furniture.

Most importantly, the fertile creative ground of Nashville inspired me to design again! Here in the capital of Tennessee, I honed in on my jewelry design skills, taking classes with the local talent and mastering my craft to give birth to my dream collection.

Then as mentioned previously Minnie Lane was born in 2017! Since conception I strive to serve the fashion leaders, the curious, the inquisitive, the loud, the proud, the out of the box thinkers, those who encourage diversity. We want everyone to feel powerful wearing our jewels and to be free to be their most authentic selves. We are constantly blown away by the community Minnie Lane has cultivated and are always inspired by the fierce women (and men!) who wear our jewels. It always excites us to see everyone rock #MinnieLaneIRL !

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

The best source of new clients for us has been in person sales events, mostly pop ups. Knowing this, wholesale is our big push for 2023.

Our brand is unique, different from anything else out there — and when you see it in person you just get it. Our price point can be considered a little bit higher end. But when clients see our jewels, feel them, and stack them up, that’s when they know they need to have them.

Clients really see the detail and passion behind the brand when we meet face to face. My design process is very hands-on, which I really enjoy. Each design begins with a 2D sketch. I get hypnotized in the process of bringing that sketch to life in wax- that is when I really feel like I am creating wearable art. Carving wax is like meditation for me. I lose track in the studio torching, experimenting, and refining every design so that they are absolutely perfect when they make it to their new home.

And the retail end is very interactive and fulfilling as well. I am a total people person and love working one on one with clients. I have a great time at trunk shows seeing how people integrate my collection into their personal style. (Fun fact: once a trunk show coincided with a local gynecologist convention, and I nearly sold out of my naked women collection to a fabulous group of female doctors who found the collection quite refreshing.) That is magic to me, and truly informs my design practice. I love to hear what people are missing or craving in their wardrobe and make their dreams come true with Minnie Lane.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I am not sure it’s necessarily lessons that had to be unlearned… but Minnie Lane really came to fruition because there were so many rules and the ‘industry standards’ that I was desperate to break.

After many sleepless nights provoked by the Fashion Calendar, I was eager to beat to my own drum. I wanted to use my imagination to produce carefully made pieces that would last, without the restrictions of trend forecasts, production quotas, delivery dates, and sales. I wanted to create a business that embraces timeless over trendy.

Creatively, I look at the world and imagine what I can invite into my workshop and convert into jewelry. Minnie Lane is all about reviving art in the context of accessories. I want to bring the things that we love, and inspire us close to our body as part of our everyday armor. I think that is why I absolutely love collaborations. I am able to work with other creatives to recontextualize their work, and reimagine their creations out of the gallery space and integrate them into a quotidian piece of art.

Minnie Lane will be constantly evolving. Soon jewels will expand to interiors. I am developing a home collection now as well under the same artistic philosophy and cannot wait to share it with you.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://minnielanedesigns.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/minnielane/
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/minnielanedesigns
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/minnie-lane/
• Other: Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@minnielanedesigns

Image Credits
Bethany Reed