California Apparel News

Mimi Chica
Gerry Building
Suite 603
(213) 624-9278

For seven years, Paul and Michelle Spoleti had a 1,500-square-foot showroom on the second floor of the Gerry Building. When they added more salespeople, it was time to expand.

In early March, they moved to the sixth floor of the building, taking over a 3,000-square-foot spot once occupied by United Fashion Brands, a German retailer rolling out fast-fashion stores in California under the Fashion Club banner.

“We were bursting out of the other space,” said Paul, who is co-owner with Michelle of juniors label Mimi Chica, contemporary line Sunny + 74, and childrenswear line Mia Chica, which just launched at Nordstrom.

The bigger space reflects a growing business. In 2011, the company’s $25 million in sales was up more than 50 percent from the previous year, Paul said.

Inside the new showroom, the look is contemporary with sealed cement floors and a flood of sunlight from the large windows. All the better to see the bright prints that make up the Mimi Chica sportswear line, which has a trendy but devil-may-care attitude to it. There are breezy dresses made of colorful fabric, much of it designed by the Spoletis, as well as ruffled shorts, knit tops, cute skirts, jackets, pants and blouses.

Mimi Chica dresses retail for about $42 while pants go for $36, and skirts and tops are $26.

The Spoletis recently expanded into the contemporary arena, trading on some of their Mimi Chica styles and making them look a little more mature. For their new childrenswear line, they are taking the juniors feel and translating it into a younger look.—Deborah Belgum