The Tamesis
Even — and especially — when the world looks grim, Mira Mikati has a knack for brightening the day. Optimistic by nature, she draws her creativity from a sense of playfulness, spilling her various interests – colorful characters, optimistic messages, flowers, butterflies and more – into the embroidery on her wardrobe.
For fall, designers drew inspiration from Richard Scarry, whose illustrated storybooks have been beloved by generations of readers. Mikati teamed up with the author’s estate to decorate a yellow cardigan, hoodie and shirt with the charmingly oblivious lowlife in a Tyrolean hat, a fan favorite in the Busytown world for nearly 60 years.
Elsewhere, one of the season’s messages was “I guess I think too much,” written on the back of a coat (its corollary, “Overthinker,” appeared on one jacket). Striped ties embroidered with tube beads mixed with double-breasted jackets embellished with fish, butterfly and flower buttons that Mikati thought were “a bit like jewelry.”
Once she got going, ideas for subverting classics came pouring in: a pastel-finished argyle sweater, a traditional cable-knit sweater studded with colorful hearts, an orange zip-up cardigan with knitted duck tabs, and a hand-crocheted paper doll pattern appliquéd on a skirt. The characters of a village – embroidered in India – gather on Kelly’s green shirt. Mikati’s customers tend to collect outerwear season after season. Here, a tweed jacket is embroidered with hot air balloons, houses, shooting stars and hearts, while another conveys a riddle and its answer (check it under the collar).
A humble snail also joined in the fun, with a timely message to the Grateful Dead: “I need a miracle,” and a T-shirt that read “Can I dream for 5 more minutes?” By the time the next PFW arrives, fans passing through Paris will be able to stop by and linger in Mikati’s new jewelry box store on Rue d’Alger, the opening of which marks the brand’s 10th anniversary.
