Mira Mikati is a florist’s most devoted patron. “It can truly make or break my experience, so I make it a point to visit early in the morning a couple of times a week before my Pilates sessions,” she shared over tea at Toraya during Paris Fashion Week. After a thoughtful pause, she added, “Perhaps once I conclude my fashion journey, I’ll open a flower shop that also features a Japanese teahouse and pastries, considering that doesn’t exist in London.”
While her vision for Café Mira remains a dream, the designer unveiled an exquisite flower-themed collection for spring. Floral designs blossomed in 3D on sweaters, a belt, and a delicate white sundress; appeared as sequined pansies adorning loungewear; emerged as bouquets of hollyhocks, daisies, anemones, and magnolias arranged herbarium-style on a “Fleuriste” sweatshirt, showcasing some of her enduring favorites; and manifested as intricate laser cut-outs on a vibrant green shorts and top set. A denim jacket featured a delightful flower stall embroidered on its back, and even a trench coat sported charming patches of flowers, butterflies, hearts, and clouds.
This season, Mikati embraces knitwear, showcasing pieces like a handmade crochet cardigan with patches, and a vibrant rainbow-striped skirt that’s creatively turned on the bias with beaded straps (“when it’s well made, even on hot days, you won’t overheat,” she remarked). Another enchanting piece: an orange cashmere sweater embroidered with a cute bunny wagashi, reminiscent of treats enjoyed at her favorite Parisian gathering spot. However, it was the back of one striped blouse that captured the essence of Mikati’s philosophy best: “Stay close to the people that feel like sunshine.”
Amidst the vibrant colors, it’s easy to miss that Mikati has introduced a brand-new shade for spring, highlighted in an otherwise simple sundress in the final image presented here. “I’ve never incorporated red before, but I’m beginning to appreciate it,” she exclaimed. “I see it as glamorous and quite a bold statement, so for the first time, I thought, why not?” This was the kind of effortless piece that simplifies vacation packing.
