We had the opportunity to chat with talented designer, Mila Pershyna of MP Fashion. From traveling all of the over the globe to settling down in Detroit she's created a wearable yet chic collection made in the USA. Read about her career journey in our interview below.

{SS}: Can you give us a brief background on your career and how the company, MP Fashion was

{Mila Pershyna}: Born and raised in Grodno, Belarus, I first discovered my love for fashion at a very young age when I would make paper dolls and dress them. I turned my childhood hobby into a professional skill and began creating clothes for my friends and myself. After traveling to the U.S., I made the decision to move to the United States and make Michigan my home.

My extensive experience in retail management, along with an internship with fashion legend Diane Von Furstenberg had earned me invitations to participate in Detroit Fashion Week, Fashion in Detroit, and Cincinnati Fashion Week. While completing my MA in Fashion Design and Merchandising at Wayne State University, {and while being pregnant} I wrote my master’s essay on contemporary maternity wear, and found a need for fashionable, transitional outerwear and sportswear. That’s when MP Fashion was born.

After graduating, I began to grow the company and the identity as American made women’s contemporary apparel. The goal of the company was to have everything made in the USA with high quality production. The first collection I designed called Maternity and Beyond, was designed for active city women that could wear the items before, after, and during pregnancy.

Soon after, Zulily became interested in my brand. After meeting with and researching countless production factories, I realized that it would be more efficient and less expensive to establish and produce my brand in Michigan. I partnered with Michigan Fashion Proto, who helped run the first production of coats for Zulily. From there, through professional connections and trade shows, the brand started to get buyers’ attention and was featured in various magazines. Retail buyers really love the fact that the brand is ‘Made in the USA’ with exceptional quality. Due to unforeseen circumstances, I discontinued my partnership with Michigan Fashion Proto in order to enhance quality and work on a better timeline. While continuing to participate in various trade shows throughout the Midwest, for a brief time period I ran my business from home. Eventually I established a solid partnership with a production factory located in the Bronx called Spoiled Rotten USA, and currently work with them today.

As the brand grew, MP Fashion moved to its own studio with production and showroom located in Sylvan Lake, Michigan. Since opening my own facility I have had many inquiries for new and upcoming designers to assist with designs, so now a part of what we do is help upcoming designers build their brand and product as well. 

{SS}: Inspiration behind the current collection? 

{Mila Pershyna}: When I first started my brand I was pregnant and wanted to design for pregnant women. My son is now five and my lifestyle is completely different, so I want to create fashion forward, comfortable, and highly adaptable pieces that are suitable for a variety of body types.

I find a lot of inspiration through travels however, the current collection was inspired through my various research of the fashion history. Additionally, I gained some resourceful ideas by visiting textile trade shows.

{SS}: Can you each share one of your favorite pieces ever designed?

{Mila Pershyna}: One of my favorite pieces that I've ever designed is an asymmetrical baby doll coat with a wave like empire seam. It may look very simple in the picture but it was a long engineering process to accomplish the perfect drape and seams and a lot of time and effort was invested into perfecting the pattern. I wasted yards and yards of muslin and drafting paper before I accomplished the final look. I think this was the hardest design I've ever worked on but the most enjoyable because it pushed me and design limits.

{SS}: Who is the lady wearing your collection?   

{Mila Pershyna}: She is the fashion and budget-conscious city woman who is established in her career whether she is 25 or 45 years old. A woman who is fully invested in her professional life and who is about to add a child to her already busy schedule. The one who values the importance of style, quality, and easy dressing – being able to grab something out of the closet and know that it will look good and feel good. {Local blogger Color and Grace seen left wearing an MP Fashion coat.}

{SS}: Current favorite pieces?

{Mila Pershyna}: I love everything I make and If I don’t, you won’t see it.

Wool-blend Marsala Cape sleeves coat with ultra suede trim / Maxi Stripe dress 

I love to wear the maxi dress in the summer, it’s so soft and comfy!

 {SS}: A few items in your “Styleshack” A.K.A closet that you can’t live without?

{Mila Pershyna}: This is one my favorite coats. I wear it almost every day to work. I love big pockets with lace, big lapels and the comfort of the Robe coat.

Wool-Blend Robe Coat with lace trim

This dress is perfect for traveling. It’s doesn’t wrinkle, it’s light and easy, and can be worn so many ways. You can wear it with legging and boots, a denim or leather jacket, or even over a turtleneck.

Animal Print Asymmetrical Dress

{SS} Who or What inspires your style?  Favorite Style Icon?  

{Mila Pershyna}: My mom had a major influence on my style, I always looked up to her and unconsciously would copy her style. She was a business woman, always dressed elegant and always had her clothes custom made for her. In Belarus {where I'm from} we didn't have a lot of options for fashionable women'e apparel, which is a main reason why my mom had her clothes custom made and why I started creating pieces for myself in the first place.

Some time around middle school, I established my own sense of style and became a trendsetter. I noticed that other girls were copying my style, which made me want to constantly change my look so I didn't look like everyone else.

{SS}: What is your Style Archetype?

{SS}: Favorite fashion or lifestyle blog or industry publication of choice?

{Mila Pershyna}: Women’s Wear Daily, Vogue, Style.com, Pinterest.com.

{SS}: Favorite “local” boutiques in your area or anywhere in the world? 

{Mila Pershyna}: I only usually shop for clothes when I travel so I don't rally have a particular favorite "local" boutique, however, before my pregnancy I liked to shop at Caruso Caruso and Anthropologie in Birmingham.

When I travel to Manhattan I like to window shop all the way from China Town to the Upper East Side and I always visit Bergdorf because they have everything I want and need under one roof. I also love going to vintage stores because you can always find something unique.

SS}: Words to live by? Or Favorite Quote?

 {Mila Pershyna}: Back in college I studied foreign languages including Latin. I found many wise Latin expressions that can be applied in our lives.

This is my favorite “Dum Spiro Spero”, which translates, "As long as I breath I hope”.