Indian-origin Mizo among UK fashion stars
Mawi's necklace.
London: Each year Walpole identifies between six and eight British luxury brands that we feel have the potential to become tomorrow’s stars. And among the seven people/fashion house selected for the year 2010 is one Indian-origin London-based jewelery designer Pi Mawi Keivom, daughter of retired IFS Mr. L.Keivom, who runs a fashion house called ‘Mawi‘.
The selected brands are given the opportunity to utilise the expertise of the Walpole mentoring group, through a bespoke mentoring and coaching programme. This unique programme, sponsored by Mishcon de Reya helps the brands input the necessary infrastructure and luxury disciplines to fulfil their potential and go on to become global leaders in their fields.
The 2010 Brands of Tomorrow are:
· Abahna – the luxury, British-made bath, body and home fragrance brand – sold in more than 20 countries around the world.
· Basso & Brooke – the pioneers of digital print process in fashion – one of the first British designers to dress Michelle Obama.
· Charlotte Olympia – exclusive shoe and accessories designer with clients that include: Sarah Jessica Parker, Sienna Miller and Beyonce.
· Josephine Home – providers of the finest linen used in homes and hotels throughout the world.
Director of Mawi fashion house Pi Mawi Keivom.
· Mawi – jewellery house which cleverly combines contemporary style with traditional influences.
· Rococo Chocolates – the luxury chocolate brand – one of the first houses to convey the joys of chocolate to the British public. Sarah Brown chose a box of the chocolates to give all World leaders at the G20 summit last year.
· Wolf & Badger – unique lifestyle brand which helps promote exciting and independent talent – showcasing the best emerging new generation fashion and design companies.
Pi Mawii hails from India’s northeastern state of Manipur and she has been in London for over three decades. Belonging to the Hmar (Mizo) community which has a colourful traditional dresses Pi Mawii has mastered the art of mixing the best of the east and the west. Many celebrities have adorned Mawi’s creations and among them was none other than the ‘Under my umbrella’ singer Rihanna. (See video below)
The ‘Brands of Tomorrow’ programme sponsored by Mishcon de Reya was launched in 2007 by Walpole and is chaired by John Ayton, co-founder & former owner of Links of London. Aside from John, the Walpole mentoring group comprises some of the UK’s most experienced luxury entrepreneurs and commentators, including the jewellery designer Annoushka Ducas, Lucia Van Der Post, luxury commentator, Sarah Elton, former MD of Smythson, Mark Esiri, Michael Ward, MD of Harrods, Demetra Pinsent, strategist at McKinsey, Guy Salter, Deputy Chairman of Walpole and James Henderson, Managing Director of Pelham Bell Pottinger.
