Fashion Fridays: Meet Simone Neilson of Jamaica’s MiSim

Words by Tami Tsansai—

Wearable music? Yes, please!

It all started with one crafty idea in high school for ‘Ms Sim,’ Simone Neilson– she made herself a pencil case, a classmate spotted it, and requested a custom beach tote. The rest, as they say, is history… well, not quite. She took on the challenge, and was soon inundated with requests, but it wasn’t until her idea to make sports day headbands proved lucrative that she had a lightbulb moment.

Six years later, Neilson is taking her MiSim brand to the next level. She entered and won the Heineken Inspire talent contest last year, has since been contracted by several of Jamaica’s corporate giants, and showcased her designs at both Caribbean Fashion Week in Jamaica and Tobago Fashion Weekend 2013. She also opened The Collection Moda 2013 – an invitation-only fashion show featuring Project Runway designers — where Miss Universe Jamaica Kerrie Baylis rocked one of her stunning Maracuya pieces on the runway.

While ‘CModa’ boasted talented designers from around the world, it was MiSim’s mini-collection, complete with DVD-studded dresses, that had everyone talking. We just had to have a tête-a-tête! Click through and read on to learn more about MiSim.

Photo: Joel Finnegan

LargeUp: Why the name Maracuya?

Simone Neilson: Maracuya means passion or passion fruit, depending on the country, and I consider my pieces the fruits of my passion.

LU: What was it like showing Maracuya at The Collection Moda?

SN: A truly exhilarating and fulfilling experience. I was afforded the opportunity as a result of winning Heineken Inspire, winning that contest has had tons of perks. A lot of exposure has come since CModa too, which has definitely been beneficial. It’s the biggest show I’ve done thus far… definitely rewarding.

LU: Nice! The concept of using broken CDs and DVDs as an accent on your designs is quite interesting. Where did that come from?

SN: I saw a pair of earrings made of a similar material, and figured I could try something like that on clothing, then when I realized the DVDs split in half when you cut them, I just ran with it.

LU: Which designer inspires you most?

SN: Zac Posen! And the house of Balmain.

LU: Is there a particular celebrity that you’re just dying to dress?

SN: I’m not really particular about that to be honest, but it would be nice to dress Selena Gomez one day.

LU: What’s next for you?

SN: Within the next year, I want to be formally trained in the technical aspects of fashion design.

LU: And how can people connect with you to view your designs or make purchases?

SN: My website is currently under construction, so until then my designs can be seen on my Facebook page. To order or request a custom design, just send me an e-mail at: my.misim@gmail.com. Shipping is also available.

Photo: SLEEK Magazine