Known for her bold “Unfashion” style and storytelling designs inspired by her African heritage,
award-winning Ghanaian-American designer Mimi Plange brings her unique point of view to this
exclusive collection of window treatment materials for Roller Shades and Solar Shades.
For this collection, Mimi sought inspiration from old African traditions, rituals, patterns and weaving techniques,
from the bold Victorian style of the Herero women of Namibia to the ancient Beninese spiritual practice of scarification.
In this collection, each design perfectly captures Mimi’s keen eye for pattern and fondness for texture. Each pattern
tells a story through its use of color, scale and movement, while playing off the materials’ inherent finishes and striations.
Learn more about Mimi Plange and her new collection for The Shade Store.
WHAT WAS IMPORTANT TO YOU WHILE DESIGNING THIS COLLECTION?
It was important for me to create a collection that could be both timeless and bold. I’ve always liked combining
different elements together, while playing on the contrast of simplicity and maximalism at the same time.
It’s a cross-cultural mix of ancient traditions and reflections of different identities.
TELL US A BIT ABOUT THE MATERIALS YOU USED FOR THIS COLLECTION.
I love textiles with raised surfaces and irregularities, so I knew right away there had to be some texture.
The Shade Store team suggested printing on their Naturals collection and I fell in love with the Grassweave and Harper
base materials immediately. The Solar Shade material has a textured surface that mimics the woven textiles that inspired the
Kente Plaid print.The blackout material brings a vibrance to every colorway with a saturation and rich finish we loved.
HOW SHOULD YOUR COLLECTION BE STYLED?
The prints are made to complement one another and can be mixed and matched throughout the home.
Victoria is a great statement piece for a modern living space. It would look great as an elegant pop against
solid walls, or push the boundaries of maximalism with contrasting wallpaper and our Botanica shades.
Pair Geometric with a clean, minimalistic room in a neutral color palette. This print is perfect against sleek
furniture and soft textures in a space that feels natural, relaxing and organic.
Our Kente Plaid blends into several environments. It reads as solid from afar, with the colors becoming more
distinctive as you approach the shade. It’s a beautiful way to encourage neutral colors with standout design.
WHO ARE YOUR BIGGEST STYLE INFLUENCES?
Style has to be something that comes from within. I admire people like Grace Jones and Tilda Swinton who
have individual styles that seem so personal and inimitable. I adore people who dance to the beat of their own drum.
WHAT INSPIRES YOU WHEN YOU CREATE?
Stories of ancient civilizations, various types of music, period movies and different African cultures and their traditional
styles of body adornment. I think of a human, who loves art, culture, history and exquisite things, and loves to stand out
from the status quo. Challenging myself to share these stories in subtle yet meaningful
ways is a major source of inspiration.