Designer Spotlight-Miss Malaprop

Aug 24, 2010 by Clueless Fashionista

Founded in March 2010 by Mallory Whitfield, Miss Malaprop is an online boutique that features Mallory’s reconstructed clothing and accessories along with “independent designers & artists, eco-friendly and sustainable products, New Orleans & Gulf Coast based businesses and issues, and people & organizations who are working to make the world a better place.”

If you’re looking for unique pieces that are functional, cute and fun, visit Miss Malaprop. You know I’m always talking about putting your own spin on your outfit by adding interesting pieces. This is a great shop to get some of those interesting pieces. I took some time and got inside the mind of Mallory to get the skinny on what drives and inspires her.

What inspires you to create?

I have just always loved making things, for as long as I can remember. I hate seeing things go to waste, so artful recycling has always been a big inspiration to me – I love trying to figure out ways to reuse things. That’s how I first got into sewing. I wanted to breathe some new life into my old clothes, and it’s sort of evolved from there…

What is one tip you would give to an up and coming designer?

Try to find a mentor. Having a mentor, or knowing people who are going through a similar experience as you, can be SO helpful. It’s great to have a support system to learn from and grow with. I’ve met so many amazing local designers and entrepreneurs and they’ve all been very helpful. Try to get out there and network – attend events related to the industry you want to be successful in, but also expand your circle outside of that. You never know who might be beneficial to know in the long run. Be exceptionally kind and generous, and it WILL come back to you.

Finish this sentence:
Fashion is open to interpretation. Fashion is what you make of it. Fashion should come from within, not from without.

Share a favorite quote that you use as a creative inspiration.

Jack Kerouac has always been one of my favorite writers, and I love his quote from Belief and Technique for Modern Prose: “Be in love with your life.” I actually love all the quotes from that piece and he has so much quote-able work, but that quote especially is something I try to live my life by. It’s one of the reasons why I’m so proud to live in New Orleans, a place where magic happens on an every day basis. I try to live my life full of joy, as much as possible, and try to live so as not to have any regrets. What more could you ask for?

Take some time and browse Miss Malaprop. There is a plethora of great things to expand your current wardrobe!