Design goddess: Kimberly Newport-Mimran

When I was told I would be interviewing Kimberly Newport-Mimran, the co-founder, President and Head designer of the celebrated label Pink Tartan, I was hit with an overpowering sense of excitement with a healthy dose of the jitters. After interning in the fashion department at FASHION Magazine, I quickly learned that words such as elegant, sophisticated and polished were synonymous with this sensational homegrown line. Unbeknownst to many, she is also the designer behind the chic 60s inspired Porter airline uniforms, pillbox hat and all! Her recognition south of the border has led her to projects designing the garb outfitting those working at Hollywood’s coveted Tropicana Bar and the swanky rooftop watering hole 60 Thompson. Her timeless and ultra feminine label is a favourite for A-list celebrities such as Kate Hudson, Kim Cattrall and Maggie Gyllenhaal. In the fashion world, Kimberly is revered as a goddess of style and grace, hence my interview angst.

The photographer Arkan and I arrived at the Pink Tartan headquarters with a few minutes to spare. The warehouse turned open concept studio with its black painted ceilings, whitewashed walls and warm hardwood floors is as effortlessly chic as Kim’s designs. We were ushered into the Pink Tartan showroom where I got a chance to peek at the prim and proper SS09 collection. Seconds later, the effervescent Kim sashayed into the room dressed to the nines with a wide grin on her face. Her warm and welcoming nature quickly eased my nerves. We sat across from each other at a large black lacquered Victorian style dinner table. Immediately Kim complimented my glasses and asked if she could try them on. Try them on? Hell I would have given them to her if she asked! After deciding the frames weren’t for her, we settled down and got down to the nitty gritty.

B: When did you get big break in the fashion industry? How did you get your start?

K: I always wanted to go into the fashion industry and I was fortunate because I went into it knowing what I wanted to do. I went to George Brown where I studied fashion merchandising and management. I finished school on a Friday and started working in the buying office for the Hudsons Bay Company on the Monday. I went through the buying, assortment planning, merchandising areas and worked my way up. I then moved over to a design driven company called Club Monaco. I was much more involved in product development so I did the whole product end of things and that is where my passion is. I worked with a design team. I would execute and source fabrics and makers, put it together, merchandise it and buy it. I then had the opportunity to put a line together for the Caban stores. In doing that I got to direct the product myself so I got to do the design and the development of it. I loved it. There’s something to be said about being able to execute an idea. An idea, no matter how brilliant it is, if you can’t execute it properly then it sort of falls short. I had the background to do both and I understand the cycle of retailing from the first part of my career. That sort of pulled it all together.

B: When Pink Tartan opened in 2002 how large was your team compared to the size it is now?

K: I started with myself and one pattern maker. My team is about up to twenty now. I have two offices that we manage. Our headquarters is in New York and the design studio is here in Toronto.

B: When you started Pink Tartan did you feel there was a lack of Canadian designers?

K: I always think of myself as an international designer. It’s a collection that appeals to a lot of different women that have a specific sense of style. For me, I was always very passionate about product and designing and developing product. I do think that there is a need for really good product that fits into your lifestyle. You can travel with it and its beautiful quality and the integrity of the garment is there. That’s very important to me.

B: Would you mind running me through your average day on the job?

K: My goodness. Well today, I’ve already seen about twenty-five fabric collections. We’re co-coordinating for the fashion show. I was out of the office all week doing a huge store tour. We just launched with Neiman Marcus so I was in Houston, then I went to the Bloomingdale’s Boston store and then I was in New York. I am working as a lead sponsor for a charity called New Yorkers for Children. So I did fittings on underprivileged children that will be part of the event that we are sponsoring. Then I came home. This is my first day in the office after a few days so we are going through our guest list. We have media interviews today. The team is going to give me an update on where we are with our production bookings because we have to book all of our fall production that we are showing on the runways. I have to sit down with my controller and review our monthly financials and then I’ll sit with my Vice President of Sales just to see where we are with our numbers. Did I take a breath?

B: Last season your collection has been described as retro and ultra-feminine geared towards the modern day vixen. Are we going to be seeing that tonight?

K: No, it’s going to be completely different. This is where we get to do a little bit of theatre. Before [SS09 collection] I was very inspired by the whole Mad Men thing – hairdos, longer nails, pretty and polished. This collection is much different; it’s a much edgier collection. This collection is very androgynous. There are a couple big influences in this collection. As we know ‘love’ is the theme for Toronto Fashion Week. For me, I think love is a drug. I’ve got Grace Jones on the runway; I was very inspired by her look in the 80s. I’m feeling a little bit more built-up shoulders, but not as severe as in the 80s. I do clothes that are wearable, I’ll push it but I don’t like to push it over the limit. I push it so it’s really new but still very wearable.

B: Sounds like it’s going to be a little bit more structural?

K: Yes, the clothing is going to be more structured. It’s a little less pretty and a little more powerful.

B: Who would you say your clientele is?

K: It’s really a girl with a specific sense of style that likes Pink Tartan. I tend to like classic and couture. I like to take elements from both and mix them up and give women clothes that are day-to-dinner. They’re not casual.

B: I assume that some of your customers haven’t been hit by the recession. We’ve been noticing that there is a trend starting with people and their shame to flaunt excess. Did you factor this shame of excess idea in your upcoming collection?

K: Not really. I think that with Pink Tartan we are a sensible collection. It’s not about excess; it’s about luxury at an opening price point. They’re clothes that are necessary; it’s a great alternative to splurging.

B: Who would be the ultimate woman to dress?

K: I always like the classic, iconic women of substance. I tend to do a lot of referencing back. I love the way Audrey Hepburn and Jackie O dressed. These women really had a sense of style and would wear the clothes, not have the clothes wear them. But modern day, I always tend to like the more sophisticated movie stars. I think Uma Thurman has great style. I relate to women that take style seriously, so those would be the type of women I like to dress.

B: What is the reason for moving your show to be back to back with Joe Fresh’s show?

K: I am travelling the whole week. I am doing personal appearances all over the U.S. I didn’t want to miss Joe’s show. It’s kind of nice because a lot of our friends come and it’s back to back. It makes it a more fun evening.

B: Why do you personally choose to stay in Toronto instead of relocating to a larger fashion mecca?

K: Well, I’m back and forth to New York. With Porter airlines I can go almost once a week. I have an apartment in New York as well. I find Toronto is home and I love it here. But I really have the luxury of living between both cities.

B: Name one of your favourite and one of your least favourite parts of the job.

K: My favourite part is product. I find some of the admin parts and financial responsibilities to be tedious.

B: Last but not least, what does success mean to you?

K: I think success is really a state of mind. If you’re ambitious, you’re always pushing so I think it’s always a bar that you want to reach. I think true success is to be truly happy. I am always pushing because things could be better, stronger and faster but I do it in a positive way. I am a believer that you can’t take things for granted. You can measure success on a dollar figure but does that really make you successful? It’s about creating a balance which is hard to do. I work a lot so people naturally think, “Ooh you have such a great job”. I mean I work non-stop but thank god I love what I do. I’m happy and that’s what counts at the end of the day.