MimiZuri Designs is a fashion line created uniquely with African prints targeting primarily mature, full-figured women.

The Hi-Lo style is the secret sauce: high in the front and low in the back to camouflage the challenging areas that middle-aged women often have to deal with– their core and posterior. MimiZuri is basically this one style that plays with the sleeves: with the choices of bell, ¾, or no sleeves in the short and floor length reversible vests, reversible jackets, Bumba Jackets, men’s shirts and select accessories.

It was the souvenir that owner Denise Gordon brought with her when she returned to the U.S. after 25 years in Africa. She instantly fell in love with the vibrant colors of Africa.

While in the U.S., she despaired at the dark blues, black. brown and gray palette of the Women’s sections in the U.S. department stores. This made her wonder if full-figured women were not entitled to the rainbow.
One day she happened to find herself on Capitol Hill where the nation’s lawmakers have their offices. It was lunch time, and the streets were packed. She was amazed that at THAT moment on THAT street, she was the only person wearing a color outside of the blue, black, and gray uniform suit du jour.

In 2017, she brought a few samples with her to the U.S. and they sold quickly. The Native New Yorker moved to Los Angeles in 2018. Just like in any fresh journey, she questioned the great leap until one day she heard a radio announcer say, “Los Angeles is the most creative city on the planet.” Heck yeah, that is why she is here where there is a respect and encouragement of creativity.

MimiZuri is inspired by Africa and the 100% cotton fabrics and tailoring are done in Africa.