Mimi Plange was born in Ghana and grew up in California. She is pioneering a new global vision of Africa by fusing her West African heritage and Euro/American roots. Before attending Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, she obtained a BA in Architecture from the University of California at Berkeley. By embedding her biography into her garments, Mimi Plange has created signature elements that define the label. One example is her adaptation of the Italian embroidery technique, trapunto. She uses it to interpret scarification, the traditional body adornment practiced in regions of West Africa where the skin is etched into decorative patterns. Plange uses trapunto in this uniquely beautiful way, referencing her Ghanaian roots. Influenced by African art, rituals and architecture, she mixes traditions such as body modifications, scarifications, tattooing and body painting with American sportswear classics. Her latest collection, another collaboration with Nike [above, far right] is inspired by the contrasting nature of individuality and tribalism. Intricate embroidery floods the top layer while vivid accents of purple, orange, lavender and green nod to the African body adornment and identity.

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