Mimi (Finale)
Three years after leaving behind the Paris runways, Mimi opens up about motherhood and her comeback to the fashion industry.
Photographer STEFANO GALLI
Stylist THAÏS RENARD
Interview FAUSTINE LEROUX
A
t the height of her career, 23-year-old Camille “Mimi” Dorel left the fashion world behind. A blindsiding departure, this choice turned into a media frenzy when Mimi revealed to the world the birth of her daughter, Esmée. From the beloved It-Girl of Paris to the fish-out-of-water fashionista of Cassel, her journey has been an inspiration for many. After three years out of the limelight, Mimi makes a spectacular return to the glamorous capital, armed with a singular vision of radical authenticity. We can’t get enough of her story and are impatient to see her continue to take the world by storm.
What inspired you to return to the fashion industry after your hiatus?
Mimi: I always knew that I wanted to come back, but I did not know when that would be exactly. Moving to Cassel was about getting away from the chaos that my life was here, in Paris. I did not want my daughter to grow up in that world—that world I loved just as much as I hated it. It was a knee-jerk reaction, but it exposed so much to me. I had no experience being a mother and I had not been able to prepare myself to become one considering the circumstances under which I gave birth. I definitely needed tranquility to make things easier. But I was not staying idle in the countryside either and after a few years of observing and evaluating the fashion industry from the sidelines, I was excited to return—just not as a model. You learn a lot in a place where no one cares about who you are or what you wear. And that energy was so inspiring in understanding the many ways one conceptualizes fashion, if at all. The industry is almost ubiquitous, yet most people do not think about it. So, I began envisioning a high-fashion line that would take into consideration all of these clashing philosophies that are at the heart of that world.
How did you begin modeling?
Mimi: When I was in high school—I think I was a sophomore—a group of girls launched this anti-dress code campaign and they recruited students to model their “rule-breaking” outfits. I remember one of the girls, who was a few years older than me, complimented these ridiculous ribbons that I had tangled up in my hair and asked if I would be willing to partake in the project. Anyway, the local newspaper caught wind of the revolution that these girls were starting and ran an article about it, illustrating it with my photo. My parents were livid as I had not told them about it, but I was so happy. I think that is what drew me to fashion in general: it was the ability to break boundaries and challenge perceptions about what the body can look like and what it can do.
Did you ever miss modeling during your year in Cassel?
Mimi: Honestly, I missed being able to wear these expensive, magnificent clothes more so than being photographed. My favorite part of modeling was always working with stylists and fashion designers and figuring out interesting ways to wear garments. I missed all of the preparations more so than the modeling itself. Admittedly, when I stopped modeling, I felt worthless for a time. And that’s when I missed it—but it wasn’t the actual modeling that I missed, it was the status it gave me. Whenever I started to ache for the job, I would remind myself of my last shoot when I was bleeding out on a Vespa under the Florentine heat, and usually, that would appease my soul.
How has your perspective on fashion changed since becoming a mother?
Mimi: I think everyone expected me to change my style and the way I dress. The first time I went grocery shopping in Cassel, I wore a tartan mini-skirt and crimson Miu Miu pumps. People looked at me like I was insane. But, I wondered why becoming a mother should mean that I have to stop dressing like I used to and want to. Fashion is my life and I won’t forego that to appeal to some misplaced—frankly misogynistic—sense of what is appropriate or not for a mother to wear. At the same time, going from being at the heart of it all to being completely isolated from it taught me the importance of knowing yourself and your style. I started professionally modeling when I was 16 and I was influenced by the industry and the people I spent time with. I was constantly advised about what types of clothes looked more flattering and what did not, and I evaluated the trends to see what gets people to talk and what makes someone a fashion icon. With distance, I realized that the best designers and stylists are the ones who do not listen to all of that and who let their personality shine through.
This issue is dedicated to kaleidoscopic beauty. With your unique life and career path, how would you define beauty?
Mimi: I think beauty is as timeless as it is obsolete. The concept of beauty is eternal: we will never cease to admire pretty things and pretty people. And it acknowledges qualities that may transcend cultural trends and societal norms. But its definition—the rules of the game—is always changing because beauty is ephemeral. If someone made a film about Aphrodite, I feel like she should be played by a million different actresses to reflect how ever-changing beauty is through time and culture. She, and like the beauty she represents, has an infinite amount of faces. As such, hailing someone whose existence is finite as beautiful seems irrelevant because this person will not be seen as such in 50 years—but what does that matter anyway? I think we place so much importance on beauty but I still cannot wrap my head around the true reasons why.
“I did not want my DAUGHTER to grow up in that WORLD… that world I LOVED just as much as I HATED it. It was a knee-jerk reaction but it EXPOSED so much to me.”How are you adjusting to your new life in Paris? Can you share any tips on maintaining a work-life balance?
Mimi: It’s been great to be back even though I miss Cassel. People have been so understanding and welcoming which has definitely eased the process. I am not a paragon of balance as I haven’t been sleeping more than 4 hours these past few months but I am always a sucker for to-do lists. I never finish them because I never make them realistic, but I still feel a sense of accomplishment having checked off a few items. It makes me feel productive, which is good enough.
Are there projects you're particularly excited about pursuing now that you've returned?
Mimi: I’m still trying to find my footing. Modeling and fashion design may overlap, but they are quite different worlds. Right now, I am trying to learn as much as possible and find people who would like to work with me as I develop my brand.
How do you hope to inspire other women in the industry through your experiences and journey?
Mimi: I would like women from any background or career to see that coming back from a break is possible. It’s difficult but possible. I think we should give ourselves more grace and I hope that other women see how valuable they are and how deserving they are of happiness. It’s never too late to change your course.
And who inspires you?
Mimi: Everyone and anyone. I found people to be so unique. I believe that everyone has something important to say, everyone is so multi-faceted and has such diverse experiences even when it does not seem like it. But, I think the person who inspires me the most is Tatiana. Ever since we met, she has been the greatest source of love and empathy and intelligence. And without her, I would have been utterly lost.
How did it feel to model again for this issue’s cover shoot?
Mimi: Strangely enough, it felt completely different. It felt familiar but also comfortable, which is a feeling I never had as a full-time model. I was always nervous and excited, but never comfortable. I think distancing myself from the label of “the model” has allowed me to exist beyond it. I no longer fear the hollowness of life without modeling because it’s been filled with so much more.
