FASHION

Designer Mira Mikati Collaborates With KAWS

On varsity jackets for Colette.


Mira Mikati x KAWS

Fashion designer Mira Mikati, who started her own brand in 2014 after years of operating the luxury boutique Plum Concept in Beirut, is now collaborating with Brian Donnelly, a.k.a. KAWS, one of the artists who took on Drake for the November 2015 issue of W Art. The result is a collection of three colorful varsity jackets, each featuring a different KAWS character. Here, Mikati opens up about her design process and collaborating with KAWS.

What attracted you to KAWS? His vibrant, saturated colors; his playful nature; and the fact that his pieces are always happy and full of my favorite cartoon characters: Snoopy, SpongeBob, The Smurfs, and Mickey Mouse! I love how he adapts that childlike world so that adults can be part of the fun, too. I’m obsessed with his Mega sculptures—when I’m under one of them I feel like Alice in Wonderland.

How did you decide on which pieces to use for your jackets? Was it a conversation? Where the artwork was placed was defined by Brian. The big challenge was what to pick as they were all breathtaking and making a choice was tough. The front and the back having to be in harmony helped me to make the choice.

What’s the most recent exhibition you visited? The opening of the “Chanel Mademoiselle Privé” exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery in London, about a week ago.

What’s something you always doodle? A sun, a rainbow and a house.

The collection is available for pre-order now at Colette, dispatched February 8th.

KAWS: An Artist’s Artist

Karl Wirsum Photo by @kaws.

Keiichi Tanaami Photo by @kaws.

Misaki Kawai Photo by @kaws.

Rosalyn Dexter Photo by @kaws.

H.C. Westermann Photo by @kaws.

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