Shopping in London: Mimi
Whilst I’ve posted about London-based designer Mimi Berry’s glorious leather purses in the past, her Cheshire Street shop deserves a full Wee Birdy tour. After all, this is the only place that houses the Central Saint Martins graduate’s entire collection, ranging from the perforated leather Maude coin purse to the luxe gold Frankie bag.
Offering an alternative to flashy trend-led “It bags”, the typical Mimi bag manages to appear simultaneously modern and retro. This is due both to Berry’s use of butter-soft Italian leather hide in a range of vibrant colours and her classic, timeless designs.
This modern/vintage aesthetic is played out in her East London shop, with her jewel-toned purses displayed on top of old-fashioned glass counters. But it’s her collection of sturdy, functional satchels that are getting all the attention right now, including the roomy oilskin Baggins (currently reduced from £177 to £150) and the smaller leather Elsie (£200). I’m also loving the Charlie bag with its smart brass chain straps.
Most recently, Berry collaborated with London artist Kim Jenkins on a range of leather passport covers. And while it’s true that nobody needs a leather passport cover, it’s very hard to resist Jenkins’ retro jetset-inspired foil stamped designs.
Which leads us to the extremely good timing of the Mimi sale – in store and online now. A perfectly good excuse to buy British, don't you think?
Mimi
40 Cheshire Street
London E2 6EH
Tel. 0207 729 6699
Nearest Tube: Liverpool Street
Click here for a Wee Birdy map.
Opening hours:
Tuesday to Sunday 10am – 6pm
Sunday 11am – 6pm
For more shops on Cheshire Street, click here.
There is now way I could walk in that shop and not walk out with a bag, really nice.
Posted by: jafabrit | January 28, 2009 at 12:45 AM
Good stuff and so much beter value than a designer handbag!
PS I've awarded you - it appears tomorrow.
Ref shopping in London please don't hold back - most of the assistants are from elesewhere so you could call it a Euroepan union or pan global dissing!
Posted by: Make Do Style | January 28, 2009 at 08:16 AM
wow! I'm definitely going to track that shop down next time I'm in that neck of the woods...
Posted by: naomi Cartwright | January 28, 2009 at 10:03 PM
what a fun little shoppe! i especially love the passport holders.
Posted by: xs | January 29, 2009 at 12:23 PM
Ohhhhh... I really love the dark satchel bag in the window shot. This is bad. I am not supposed to be even thinking about shopping but I need a replacement for my Comptoir bag, and that is PERFECT! LLGxx
Posted by: Liberty London Girl | February 01, 2009 at 05:23 AM
oh mannnnnn - I plan to head to your part of the world in september of this year and are coming to terms with the amount of saving and credit card space I require for my trip.... mainly for shopping. And you aren't helping! Stop showing me these wonderful places I have to visit and shop at! he he x
Posted by: Kimberlee | February 01, 2009 at 12:24 PM