Amanda Briskin-Rettig founded Mimco in 1996, when she was in her early twenties. With $5000 in savings, she developed just six handbag samples. She sold the brand 11 years later, for a reported $45 million.
After a little time off, Amanda launched A-esque in 2012, a totally different accessories label, with a focus on local manufacturing. A-esque design and make everything out of their Richmond atelier. It’s a very different proposition to Mimco, but A-esque has carved a distinct niche for itself in the Australian accessories market. In 2016 A-esque expanded with concessions in David Jones, which has been incredibly successful, and they’re also stocked by global department store Lane Crawford, in China and Hong Kong.
Today, we’re thrilled to share this chat with Amanda, as she shares her journey from Mimco to A-esque, and why local, small-batch production is now her priority. Most inspiring of all, we hear why Amanda is committed to going it her own way, as market competition rages and the retail sector continues to undergo seismic shifts.
