Photo by Joe Del Tufo
Mimi Sullivan, the shop owner at Bloom in Greenville and Newark, offers insight on her style inspiration and favorite fashions.
Your style, in a few words:
Juxtaposition. Sweet alongside edgy or ’80s punk, softened with ’50s classics.
Style idols:
I prefer to be inspired by musical or artist types—like Exene Cervenka, the singer from the L.A. hardcore band X. Her blend of vintage mixed with L.A. street style always interested me. She threw it together so effortlessly. So many try hard but never achieve that.…I’m most interested in emulating strong, passionate or bohemian women like Georgia O’Keeffe, Lee Krasner or Elaine de Kooning, women who broke the rules of their time…and on top of that, they created artistic legacies.
Closet staple:
My first pair of English-made black Doc Martens. They were way too expensive for me at the time, but I wore them for at least a decade. This was likely in 1987, and I’ll likely always have them.
Signature accessory:
My cat eye–style sunglasses, which my friend in L.A. designed for me. I sell them at Bloom. They are much needed when you have sensitive green eyes and are necessary even on cloudy days.
Fave trend du jour:
Big, swingy, skirted retro dresses from Alexander McQueen’s 2022 collection worn with utility combat boots. Because I stand on my feet all day, I appreciate cool, pragmatic footwear. And everyone feels fresh in a swingy dress with a full skirt.
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Fave past trend:
I won’t be giving up my leopard-print accessories. I have a brown leopard backpack—perfect for travel—and a brown leopard coat that somehow looks cool, retro and rock ’n’ roll the moment you put it on.
Main mane:
I get compliments on my hair almost every day; it’s a deep auburn with a delicate touch of plum. People seem to like my bangs as well.
Define glam:
For me, it’s an individual who emanates drama, intrigue and a touch of mystery. The word has morphed from classic Hollywood to more touchable, everyday glam of being unpredictable and dramatic.
In Bloom:
I separate myself from the product. I imagine how my regulars would react to something. I’ve known some for nearly two decades, so we can read each other—retail telepathy, I call it.
You wouldn’t be caught dead in:
Midriffs of any type. It breaks up the line of your outfit, and as a petite, a continuous line is important.
Always in your bag (or on):
Warby Parker eyeglasses—a necessary accessory, but they are a cool, smart, kinda bookish update to any wardrobe.
Hats off…or on?
On, please. Anything from knitted street-looking beanies to ’70s suede fedoras.
Fashion peeve:
I can’t stand cheaply knitted sheer leggings worn with a visible thong underneath— just an awful fashion choice. No one should manufacture those sheer leggings.
Most stylish city:
London. I love the layering, the bookish cardigans, the earthy colors, the gorgeously tailored jackets, the unpredictable street style and the fantastic designers. If I lived there, I would want a closet of Vivienne Westwood. That would be magical.
Mimi Sullivan began her journey of fashion and design at 18. Since then she’s lived in 8 states across the US and has worked with countless other designers and artists. Bloom has two locations in Delaware: one in Greenville and one in Newark. You can learn more about Bloom here.
Know someone with great fashion sense and personality? Send a brief description and photograph to abreeding@delawaretoday.com, and they might appear in an upcoming issue of Delaware Today!
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