Rednarim talks return to the runway
Published:Friday | July 14, 2023 | 12:10 AMKrysta Anderson/Staff Reporter
Fusing his innate gift with his acquired taste, Donald Mirander’s stunning styles not only reshape what’s normal and challenge the ordinary, but give a unique take on ethereal beauty, one that sparks the most scintillating conversations.
After launching his brand in 2014, and going off to study in 2020, Mirander’s return to the runway in March of this year could only be described as an exhilarating experience, “A total of 62 illustrations were completed, of which only 30 released. Fabrics were shipped to Jamaica. The atelier underwent renovations to prepare for our relaunch, while simultaneously meeting with website developers, bankers, directors, team members and the extended creative team; models, photographers and make-up artists,” the chief executive officer and designer of Rednarim told Living.
Despite the delays, he pressed on, hosting an exclusive and private fashion show that turned heads and stood as a preview for the website released in April. “It’s a feeling I can’t quite explain,” he said, adding, “I am blessed and grateful to be supported by people who have stuck with me, pushed me, and reminded me that I am capable, and that I am equipped, even in the face of doubt, and rejection.”
Curating striking, sophisticated, romantic and timeless designs, his brand, Rednarim, resonates with women, “whose lifestyle is indicative of where she is and where she’s going. She could be at a brunch with her girlfriends this minute. And later in the evening, she’s attending a gala. She’s present but busy; she’s influential and powerful; she’s the moment,” he shared.
This designer comes from a fine line of entrepreneurs and considers himself fortunate to be a product of their hard work, taste and style. “The name pays homage to the ones who allowed me to dream and wholeheartedly supported my decision to embark on this path in a society where a career in fashion is not the norm,” he added.
As the youngest and only male of five children living with his grandparents, he was afforded the opportunity of understanding fashion and trends from a female’s perspective. He even learned how to sew by hand before he was a teen.
“Fashion chose me, long before I chose fashion. I was raised by women, with women. My grandmother, Myrtle Mirander; mom, Enid Mirander; and aunt Jacqueline Johnson, raised me with my older sisters Nicquay, Tanice, Shannon and Chantrell. This environment heavily influenced my understanding of style, how I interacted with fashion, my love for the art and how I viewed the world,” he said.
With their presence and unwavering support, Mirander felt indebted to women in the fashion space and decided to honour their curves in phenomenal styles.
His sojourn interning with the costume department at an amusement park overseas also strengthened his career move.
“I spent 2013 to 2016 in the theatre with a diverse set of creative experts. They exposed me to numerous international perspectives of fashion that would later inspire the direction of my own brand. Here, I was introduced to the most exquisite fabrics from across the world which solidified my interest in bespoke womenswear, and challenged me to create, and in a few instances, invent,” he pointed out.
Circa summer of 2014, the budding fashion designer was alone in a room while in the United States, playing around with names for his brand. In November of that year, he moved forward with the name Rednarim: the semordnilap of his surname, Mirander.
Presenting styles in bold and radiant colours is a reflection of the current trends. These include stitching themes of celebration, freedom and re-enlightenment .”The right colours and use of textures signify liberty, hope and new adventures. I tend to lean more on the more tedious handwork techniques like beading and draping her in the most luxurious feeling natural fibres so that she instantly steps into a dream that brings the vision she has for herself to life,” he shared.
Mirander, who lectures at the University of Technology, received the Prime Minister’s Youth Award in Arts and Culture for 2018 for his contribution to fashion. He was honoured to know that people were recognising his work.
That achievement only made him yearn for more knowledge and more exposure on the international scene. So, he applied for Chevening in 2020 to pursue a master’s in fashion business management at the University of Westminster in London.
“In a full circle moment, I was at my grandparents’ house when I got the letter from Chevening, indicating that my application was a success, and with that same excitement in my eyes to share the news. I’ll never forget the sparkle of pride I saw in my grandma’s eyes and the cheeky smile of accomplishment on my grandpa’s face,” he reflected.
Following the success of his spring collection, Mirander launched the High Summer (HS) collection, setting a record of two for two; two fashion lines in two months. The HS collection, he explains, provides suitability for the woman on the go. “The style of this collection carries the common threads of ease and comfort, without missing out on the appeal of fashion forwardness.”
But wait, there’s more. Rednarim’s first menswear capsule collection is finally ready and will be available for purchase next week Wednesday, July 27 at 10 a.m.