Meet Jamila Mitchell | Designer Vintage Reseller

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jamila Mitchell and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jamila, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?
Starting a business can be very intimidating. It involves a lot of “what ifs” and often naysayers when you explain your vision, but you have to know your audience. Studying my targeted audience really gave me the push that I needed to actually start my business. I consider myself actually to be a part of my audience as well. I sat on my brand for at least 3 years, just unsure of where exactly I wanted to go with it, but I was always working on it. Just trying to put ideas together with what I thought would be perfect for me. I’m a person who’s always looking to see what so and so wore to an event. My favorite events are New York Fashion Week and the Met Gala. I enjoy keeping up with designers and looking into what inspired their collections. One day, I was on YouTube and came across a fashion show from 1998 and was truly stunned. It was that moment that I realized that fashion is timeless. Pieces are timeless. I knew exactly what direction I wanted my brand to go in and I think it represents me very well. I love all things vintage and I find beauty in sourcing pieces that I think the girls would love.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I think what really sets me apart from others is the fact that I can relate to my customers. I remember days where I couldn’t necessarily afford some of the things I wanted, then finding them through resell for a much more affordable price. I’m most proud of myself for taking risks when purchasing pieces for my brand and building relationships with individuals who are in the same creative lane as me. I reached the point I’m at today by just networking and really dedicating time to my brand. It hasn’t been easy, but very rewarding. I want the world to know that MiHy Styles is here to stay and will be a household name. I have huge plans for my business. I’m never not working so it will only get better.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Ahhhh. We love to eat so I would definitely start off by throwing restaurant options out there. We’d probably start out at a happy hour to get full of drinks, which Ra Sushi has my favorite! I enjoy visiting the Dallas Farmers Market so I’d definitely make a stop there to look at what the local shops have to offer and grab Jamaican food from Caribbean Cabana. Harlowe and Bitter End would be great stops to make for some good vibes and music. Me and my girls are all about dinner reservations too, so Pangea and/or the Charles would be the places to go! For more chill vibes, we could go lay out a blanket at Anderson Park for a little relaxation.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to recognize my mother and my nana for the roles they played in my childhood. I can remember my mom dressing me in the most fashionable, what some people would consider dramatic, clothes ever. I didn’t appreciate it as much as I do now, as a fashion brand owner. My nana would drag me to thrift and vintage stores almost every weekend, where I would listen to her negotiate prices and see the joy and excitement that “good finds” would bring her. They both helped me realize that fashion is just about being and expressing yourself. So for that, I am thankful.

Website: www.mihystyles.com

Instagram: @mihystyles

Twitter: @mihystyles

Facebook: MiHy Styles