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Phoenix Fashion Week may still be three months away, but there are 14 designers working tirelessly on their designs to prove themselves as 2014’s “Designer of the Year.” Recently, the designers unveiled a sneak peak into what they will be bringing to the stage. One of those designers, Misha Mendicino, of Misha Mendicino Designs, sat down with me last week to discuss the creation of her very first line. Update: Misha Mendicino Designs has won Emerging Designer of the Year 2014! Congrats Misha!

Misha began her journey into the fashion world only a year ago after never being able to find that perfect piece she was looking for when out shopping. She began by altering her retail purchases to fit her vision, and it quickly blew up into a beautiful collection of light weight resort couture wear. Every piece she has created has been geared toward staying comfortable in the Arizona heat, which is why her line is entirely made up of 100 percent Rayon. She wanted designs that inspire you to “feel beautiful, confident, and comfortably sexy every day.” The thought put into each piece is remarkable. She wants women of any shape or size to be able to put on one of her garments and instantly feel beautiful. Most of her dresses have an empire waist, and are loose fitting over the tummy, as well as having the Butterfly Sleeve to hide any underarm jiggle. She designs exclusively for the modern woman.

Misha Mendicino

Most of her color and fabric choices come from her many travels and time spent living outside of Arizona. She has pulled inspiration from Hawaii for the colors, New York for the geo prints, and Africa for the African Ancara prints, in order to create her vibrant standout collection. Even her logo stemmed from her travels to Indonesia and her immense love for elephants.

Growing up, Misha’s mother collected elephants and passed that love onto her daughter, who is now using her collection as a platform to educate people on the elephant poaching crisis around the world. Misha Mendicino Designs recently partnered up with The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Organization and is now donating 5 percent of her total sales to help fund the Elephant Orphanage Project and Nursery. Misha’s philanthropic efforts in saving the elephants extend all the way into her fashion line. Her heart is undeniably with them.

She is currently selling her designs online on her website as well as in four boutiques around Scottsdale: Velvet Boutique, Elan Style Boutique, Clothes Minded Boutique and Lonni Fashion Boutique. I encourage all of you to visit one of these boutiques and try on one of her garments; you will fall in love. I know I did!

Misha Mendicino Designs – A Scottsdale One Feature

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