Mimage's guest fashion, by María Martínez del Mármol
We discuss Mimage's guest fashion with its designer, María Martínez del Mármol, who explains everything from her creative process to her commitment to the circular economy.
What does Mimage mean?
Mimage comes from my initials MMG (María M artínez del M ármol G álvez), and I had the idea of creating a name based on these letters. One day, we were at a pre-wedding with my best friends, talking about the subject, and Ana Daroca came up with "Mimage." I loved the sound of it, and that's how I decided to name the store.
Maria, what inspires you to create your designs?
I love checking out new trends in magazines like Vogue or Telva , and when something inspires me, I translate that fashion into guest wear. But sometimes it's the other way around: I discover a fabric that fascinates me and try to find the design that best suits it.
What is the step-by-step process you follow until you have your final garment?
First, I create an inspiration mood board , where I list everything I like, such as models and details. Then I create a color board to choose the ones I like best.
From there, I decide how many dresses I want to make in a season. Then it's time to go fabric shopping (a moment I both enjoy and tire of), make samples, and adjust whatever needs to be done—a process that can take several months. Of course, we're always ahead of schedule; for example, we start creating the following year's summer collection in September.
How is sustainability present in Mimage's fashion?
Mimage's mainstay is rentals . That's why we offer the option to rent dresses, suits, and guest accessories in our physical store in Alicante. This way, we give garments more life and contribute to making the fashion industry, one of the most polluting in the world, a little more sustainable.
Additionally, at Mimage we support the circular economy , which is why part of our website collection is available for pre-order . This way, we create designs on demand, avoiding excess stock and wasting fabric.
Speaking of the Mimage store in Alicante, how did the idea of renting out clothes come about?
Years ago, I traveled to the US and was impressed by the world of rental fashion . There, you can rent accessories, dresses, and everyday accessories.
I liked that idea so much that I wanted to apply it to guest fashion. And it's been a complete success, as customers are very happy—just look at the Google reviews and the 5-point score.
Plus, we have options for all budgets, as you can find a dress or suit with accessories from €87 (with dry cleaning insurance included). The rental trend is slowly making its way to Spain, and I think within 10 years we'll end up renting for our everyday needs.
How do you tailor each dress to each body type with the dresses you rent in the store? Are alterations possible?
If we made alterations, the dresses would be damaged and we wouldn't be able to rent them again. In the end, we always find the perfect garment for each guest, and we don't need to make alterations.
Plus, the good thing is that midi length is now in fashion, so there's no need to alter the length of a dress much.
Which guest dress or outfit has been the most successful in your collections? And which one has gone most viral on social media?
Can you find more prints or solid colors at Mimage?
Personally, I love printed dresses and suits because they add a touch of distinction to the look , but guests tend to prefer plain models , so most of our collections follow that style.
What sizes does Mimage offer?
At Mimage, we offer sizes from 34 to 44 to suit a variety of women's silhouettes. If you're looking for something looser, you can always opt for a kaftan or kimono , or the Margarita and Marit dresses, which are also ideal options for pregnant women.
Will you ever dare to try bridal fashion?
I've thought about it! The truth is, I'd be really excited and it would be a step forward in my career, but I see it as a long-term project. I'd probably opt for simple dresses that flatter all body types and always with that Mimage touch .
Now I want to focus on my collections and always offering the highest quality to my customers. The happiness they feel when they leave the store or the photos they send me after an event is what keeps me going.
