Mia Reid, whose clothing line was to be sold in Belk stores?
The Virginia Beach native is returning to the 757 for beachinspired fashion show
Mia Reid woke up at 7 on a January morning with an idea that just couldn’t wait.
“I wanna do a fashion show back home,” the Virginia Beach native messaged her friend. And, she reported later, “Instead of telling me to roll back over and go to sleep, she said, ‘Let’s do it,’ and we have been moving ever since.”
Her “Back to the Beach” show will be April 9 at the Virginia Beach Wedding Company. It has already sold out.
In 2017, Reid was one of five winners in Belk’s annual Southern Designer Showcase, and her collection was sold in stores and online.
Reid has lived in Atlanta for 15 years, but the 757 has always been part of her brand. Her pieces are named after streets in Virginia Beach.
“It was all about incorporating elements of my hometown, and one of the ways in which I did that was to have sponsorships from local businesses in the 757,” she said. The show was put together with help from Get Well Soon, SBL Headwear & Socks, All Good Craft Granola Bars, Rent a Set and Esstease LaDon.
Reid describes her featured line, The Resort Collection, as sexy, Southern and sophisticated. It has mix-and-match pieces that allow fashionistas to switch up styles, whether they’re going to meetings or brunch with the girls.
“Think beautiful island, dinners outside at night, strolling through the town, poolside lounging,” she said.
Some of her favorites are the Courthouse Kimono and the Seaboard Skirt because of their
“Think beautiful island, dinners outside at night, strolling through the town, poolside lounging.”
— Mia Reid describing
her featured line, The Resort Collection
versatility.
The kimono has front pockets and a long sash belt. It can be worn to the beach, as a duster over a dress or “dressed down with a tank and a pair of jeans,” Reid said.
“I love the Seaboard skirt because it is a staple piece and updated version of the classic jean skirt,” she said. “It has a full exposed zipper in the back, it is high-waisted and has pockets.”
Reid graduated from Kellam High School in 1999 and the New York City Fashion Institute of Technology in 2003. She started her company, GiGi Carreras Collection, in 2017, naming it after her daughter. She rebranded in 2020, naming the line after herself: Mia Reid Collection.
Her designs have been sold in Belk and Macy’s stores.
Reid works out of her home in Atlanta, but she’s in the process of securing a showroom and workspace.
“At one point I had converted my dining room into my working area but I have definitely outgrown it as it overflows with fabric, sewing machines, mannequins and everything else you can think of.”
She’s working on two collaborations, and she’ll soon debut a mini collection of one of her bestselling head wraps.