Descend from the stars, through the milky way, along Orion's belt and down to earth. You find yourself in a time of mystery, creativity, spiritual practice, esoteric knowledge, riches and structures unexplainable…. still, thousands of years later. A place that sparks curiosity in all of us. This collection explores a kind of ethereal connection to Ancient Egypt, inspired by Mimi El-Ashiry’s heritage and Andean’s passionate connection to ancient cultures and craftsmanship.

DESIGN PROCESS AND FABRICATION

Inspired by Ancient Egyptian intricate garments pictured in Hieroglyphics. We have appropriated these artworks, and designed a knitted Resort Wear Collection. Characters, People, and Deities seen in Ancient Artworks. Our inherent love for nature and the inspiration all around us, led us to tap into motifs representative of animals, such as fish scales, leopard spots and snakes. The pieces in this collection are named after Family members and memories of Mimis trips to visit her family in Egypt. Carefully crafted in our small, women run workshop with hand crocheted details by our independent artisans. Using only the finest of fibres, grown and sourced and made in Peru. Peruvian Tanguis Cotton and Pima Cotton. ‍

MIMI’S CREATIVE PROCESS

This collection acts as a bridge back to source and allows me to express my deep connection and complete admiration of my own heritage. While Creating I pondered Nostalgic and distant memories of myself, my mother and my father living with my family in Cairo. The places where we visited relatives, Alexandria, Maadi, Khan El-Kalili. The places we ate, the Aish Baladi (local Egyptian bread), Koshari,  fule & falafel, The Abundance of Cats,  dogs and Shisha everywhere. In Australia, Around mine and my family's home are collections of ornaments and Papyrus scrolls gathered on our numerous returning travels to Egypt. They serve as Present reminders of this place, time, and culture I feel so connected to, yet so distant from. Wandering through markets, eating with relatives, exploring the Pyramids of Giza, Cruising down the Nile on a felucca boat, riding horse carts,  Marvelling at the Sphinx, Aswan, Luxor, the red sea, the silver shops, dessert drives, and more adventures. 

I share this deep and personal part of me and my family, with complete Reverence and respect for the beautifully mysterious and formative, Rich culture of Ancient Egypt and Egypt Today.

This collection is for Nena, Gedo, Iman,  Leila,  Engi, Doodoo,  Adel,  Magda, Gigi,  Suzanne, great grandma Fatheya, great grandma Iglal,  Hekmat,  Refaat,  Weza, Jimmy, Fofa, Heba, Amr, Hazem, Rania, Nagla & Nagwa, Mona, Hesham, Rania, and my Spanish cousins Yasmina & Lorena. I love you and Miss you. 

ABOUT MIMI + ANITA  

In 2014 Mimi and Anita met in Byron Bay through mutual interest and relationships in fashion. Over the years spent living in different continents  their friendship continued to develop through shoots and events in waves of deep conversation and reading tarot in these unassuming places. Eventually living in proximity own the Byron hinterland, their connection flourished, sharing their love for creativity, fashion, and photography. Traveling together to Costa Rica to Envision, an eco-friendly festival, Tasmania to adventure and create beautiful campaigns for Andean Collective and NeverNever Jewellery and more. The two kindred spirits are continually inspiring each other, supporting each others business’s and creative journeys. Their mutual fascination with the art and clothing of ancient cultures as well as artisanal craftsmanship and ethical practices in production as well as deep admiration for each other, lit the spark to co-create this collection.

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ANITA’s BACKGROUND

Designer, creative director and co-founder. Anita spent most of her childhood growing up in Germany as a refugee after fleeing communist dictatorship in Romania with her parents. As a refugee, Anita didn’t have the money to buy clothes so she designed her own pieces which her Aunts and Grandmother would then sew for her. She rummaged through flea markets, altering pieces herself on her little sewing machine. Anita completed a fashion degree in Product development and Pattern Making in Buenos Aires, Argentina alongside a diploma in shoemaking. Straight out of school Anita began her career in fashion, from modelling to working as a seamstress and as fashion buyer, Anita quickly became a regular on the fashion scene. She has a deep love and passion for ancient techniques such as embroidery, knitting and weaving inspired by her home country Romania and Peru - the birthplace of Andean Collective. While working for several international fashion brands, Anita has continued to further her studies in marketing, business and project management. She has always been a passionate advocate for the environment and conscious living, combined with her love of fashion is what inspired her to create Andean Collective alongside Ursula and Lucia.

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