Stall Profile :: MITTSU

Dec 12, 2019 | Stall Profile

British designers Christie and Karoline first met 10 years ago while studying fashion in High School. They have always had a shared passion for design and a dream of owning their own clothing label. After high school they both went on to study at University, before graduating and deciding to take the plunge into starting their own clothing line in April 2019 - MITTSU.

What is your creative background/qualifications?

Christie grew up in Scotland and has a BA (Hons) in International Business from the University of Edinburgh & also studied for a year in Berlin during her degree. She has always had a strong interest in sustainable fashion and started buying & selling vintage clothing in 2010. Whilst studying at University, Christie started her own second-hand clothing company ‘Christie’s Cupboard’ on an online platform called Depop.

Karoline originally from Norway, moved to Scotland at the age of 10. Having grown up in a country full of rich textile and fashion traditions has strongly influenced her interest in fashion & design. Karoline has a BA (Hons) degree from The Glasgow School of Art and experience working in the industry.

With a shared passion for design and sustainability, they are excited to see what the future holds for Mittsu.

Is this business your full-time gig or a side hustle?

We both work part-time at the moment as well as working on Mittsu. We hope in the future for it to be our full-time job.

Tell us about your brand name, how did this come about?

We wanted our brand name to be short, snappy and exotic. We researched different word options and wanted something unusual - choosing MITTSU.

What products or services are included within your range?

Our initial collection consists of seven pieces all made in the UK; three pieces of swimwear, three pieces of clothing and a bag - which launched in April 2019. We will also be selling handpicked vintage pieces to complement our MITTSU collection.

What inspires you creatively?

The inspiration behind MITTSU'S first collection is strongly influenced by our European travels; from the sparkling coastline of the Côte D’Azur to the charming hilltop villages of Italy. Each piece in our collection has been carefully considered so they can be mixed and matched together.

Do you work from home, an office or creative workspace?

We work from a mixture of home and away - we take inspiration from our surroundings, going to different cafes and countries, which also allow us to photograph our collection while on the go in new and exciting places.

Do you implement any sustainable practices within your company, if so tell us about this?

All of our items have been designed in Glasgow and ethically made in London using locally sourced fabrics in very small limited edition batches to avoid waste. We have a strong focus on sustainability, taking inspiration from vintage photographs and films we make each item focusing on quality and flattering silhouettes seen in the 1950-80s.

Each one of your orders are lovingly packaged in 100% re-usable or recyclable packaging, using no plastic whatsoever. We will always strive to do the best we can and aim to be 100% sustainable, working on our future collections being made from recyclable yarns made from plastic bottles or waste from the sea.

Why did you choose TVM as a platform for your business?

We were recommended by friends from Brisbane and then through our own research it looks like the perfect place to showcase our designs and meet other creatives.