Mira Mikati has built a world defined by colour and emotion. As she enters a new chapter of growth, she reflects on creativity, ambition, and the power of choosing happiness.

From the moment you meet Mira Mikati, one thing becomes immediately clear. Optimism is not just part of her aesthetic – it’s part of her philosophy.

Long before she became known for creating a colourful universe rooted in joy and escapism, Mikati was simply a dreamer, a child drawn instinctively to colour, imagination, and creativity. “I always loved colours,” she says.

“Yellow was my favourite because it felt like the happiest colour.” And that instinctive connection to emotion and creativity began early. When she was just six years old, after learning that her mother’s best friend worked as a knitwear designer, Mikati decided she wanted to become a fashion designer herself.

What began as a childhood fascination eventually evolved into one of fashion’s most recognisable visual identities, one built not on trends, but on feeling. Born during the war in Lebanon, Mikati describes herself as an anxious child, frightened by thunder and unable to sleep alone. But, over time, she made a conscious decision to choose a different perspective on life.

“At some point, I realised I had two choices,” she shares. “I could either become an anxious person or choose to become a happy and free-spirited one. I chose the second path. I really believe that happiness is a choice.”

That philosophy has become central not only to her work, but to the way she approaches ambition, creativity, and everyday life. While many creatives speak about success in terms of growth or achievement, Mikati speaks instead about emotion, balance, and meaning.“When I was younger, ambition was probably about proving to myself that I could build something of my own,” she reflects.

“Today, it means creating a life that feels meaningful while still protecting the people and moments I love most.” Although she briefly worked within her family business early in her career, Mikati quickly realised that creative freedom was essential to her.

Launching something independently was both daunting and deeply personal.“Starting my own brand was intense and sometimes scary, but also incredibly rewarding,” she says. “I lacked the freedom to express my own vision before, and I knew I needed to create something that truly made my heart beat.”

Today, Mikati’s world extends far beyond clothing. She has become known for creating immersive universes shaped by storytelling, emotion, and playfulness – a refreshing contrast within an industry that can often feel overly serious. “The world already feels serious enough,” she says. “I wanted to create something that makes people smile, dream and escape for a moment.”

Yet, beneath this joyful exterior is the reality of balancing creativity, leadership, and motherhood. As a woman leading an internationally recognised fashion business, Mikati admits that finding balance remains one of her greatest challenges.

“I want my work to remind people to dream bigger, stay playful, and never lose their childlike spirit.”

“Building a business, dreaming big, and handling daily challenges while also being present for my children and husband can sometimes feel impossible,” she says. “But I’ve realised that I actually love the energy and madness of my everyday life.”

Her approach to creativity is instinctive and deeply emotional. She draws inspiration from travel, culture, flavours, craftsmanship, and human connection. Japan remains one of her greatest sources of inspiration because of its “attention to detail, beauty, and endless discoveries in design, culture, and flavours.” More recently, she has been drawn to experiences rooted in wellness and nature, including an upcoming retreat in Big Sur focused on breathwork and movement, something she hopes may inspire a future collection.

As she enters a new chapter of growth, Mikati is focused on projects that feel both personal and immersive. From the opening of her long-awaited Paris store to collaborations with CASETiFY, Lowly Worm, and the Grateful Dead, she continues to expand her universe while remaining deeply intentional about the partnerships she takes on.

She is also preparing for a seasonal pop-up at Hôtel de la Messardière, another step toward creating experiences that fully immerse people into her colourful world. “I never say yes to a collaboration unless it feels authentic and truly speaks to my heart,” she explains. “No matter how much things grow, I always want the heart of it to remain the same – optimism, storytelling, colour and emotion.”

And that emotional connection is ultimately what matters most to her. During the pandemic, strangers would stop her on the street to tell her that her clothes made them smile, moments she still considers among the most meaningful of her career. “It made me feel like I had achieved my mission,” she says.

When asked about her favourite piece from Cartier, Mikati immediately points to the iconic Love Bracelet, drawn to what she describes as its romantic yet playful spirit, qualities that naturally resonate with her own world of optimism and emotion. She’s equally attracted to pieces with unexpected personality, like her Crayola pen necklace by Nadine Ghosn, which she loves for its humour, individuality, and sense of fun.

Much like her approach to life and creativity, the jewelry she gravitates toward feels expressive, personal, and full of joy. Beyond fashion, Mikati hopes to continue building spaces and experiences that bring people together through creativity, from workshops centred around flower arranging and beading to traditional Japanese wagashi-making.

“I want my work to remind people to dream bigger, stay playful, and never lose their childlike spirit,” she says. “If what I created made people smile, then I feel I’ve succeeded.”

And perhaps that is what makes Mira Mikati so compelling today. In an era defined by constant noise and seriousness, she has built her world around something far simpler and far more difficult to sustain – joy.

“Building a business, dreaming big, and handling daily challenges while also being present for my children and husband can sometimes feel impossible. But I’ve realised that I actually love the energy and madness of my everyday life.”