THE SHAPE OF A DREAM
Mikee Andrei’s journey as a designer has been one of love, hope, and loss before becoming a story of success.
One of the up-and-coming designers to watch out for, Mikee Andrei’s work is the spirit of vibrance, romanticism, and inclusivity of today’s world. Mikee revitalizes the effeminate and ethereal energies of a modern day woman’s silhouette and captures the essence of brides-to-be in her designs. She’s best known for her impeccable craftsmanship with lace, color-blocking techniques, and a non-conventional approach in wedding gown creation.
Mikee began her fashion journey after graduation, with her swimwear and staple dresses collection before venturing into made-to-measure gowns and bridal designs. As a designer, Mikee’s success was a product of her passion and pitfalls, and it took a catastrophic life moment to take her vision from idea to fruition.
Rosalina—mikee’s grandmother—was her very first client, though she was also her inspiration. For Mikee’s first creation, she fashioned an aqua blue gown with the help of Rosalina’s seamstress, choosing something ambitious to represent how much she adored her grandmother. The vision for this gown was not her proudest moment, though it sparked the enthusiasm to learn the ropes, figure out the seams, and finally give birth to a masterpiece. Slowly, Mikee gathered her courage and felt that she was ready to take on the challenge of recreating the gown. However, Rosalina’s time had passed.
Still, Mikee’s loving tribute to her departed grandmother gave birth to a collection called Rosalina.
“Be the type of person who leaves a mark, not a scar,” Mikee says, and this is a philosophy that she adheres to.
Having worked with notable faces in the industry— Joey Mead King, Chanel Thomas, and beauty queens— her designs certainly seem to have accomplished this goal. She had always been one for creating a momentous impression and a lifelong inspiration, both for her clients and fo the people who see her creations. Her ethereal and romanticized aesthetics speak loudly of love for feminine structures and an understanding of a woman’s figure.
Talking about her vision for future Mikee Andrei Creations, she shows an enthusiasm for working more with lace and structural and tailored feminine cuts to push explore the female silhouette.
This conversation steers us to her very first success as a designer: creating her high school best friend’s wedding gown. It was an enormous feat as a designer and a friend that marked her #mikeeandreibride career. While she has had to suffer setbacks and the loss of her grandmother, she acknowledges that the climb isn’t always quick for everyone. Still, the Mikee Andrei brand has grown considerably over the years. “You cannot rush success ” she says.
Mikee believes in people. She believes in adding value to their lives when they wear her designs.
But most of all, Mikee believes in dreams, saying: “Dream big because no matter where you’re from and whatever you may be, those dreams are valid.”