Partners Madalin Frodsham and Sid Pattni launched swimwear label Mimi Kini in 2018, making togs that are chic, inclusive and sustainable. Last week, the pair added Mimi Move to their repertoire. It’s a retro-inspired activewear collection celebrating bodies sized XS to 6XL.
“I’ve worked with a few different activewear brands in the past,” says Frodsham, a fitness influencer (Pattni is a former art teacher). “I really just saw a niche in the market for sustainable activewear that was available in a wide variety of sizes. And that wasn’t just black or navy.”
Mimi Move is all about feeling cute while working your butt off. Pattni designs the prints – they come in pastel pink, soft grey and blue-green – and Frodsham takes care of garment design. Once samples are made, Frodsham makes adjustments according to how they fit on her body.
“Then I also send them off to a fit-model who is a size 3XL, and we get those measurements made to her as well,” she says. “They do fit differently on different bodies.”
The latest addition to Australia’s booming activewear industry, Mimi Move pieces are designed to be sweat-proof (breathable and sweat-patch resistant) and squat-proof (sitting and stretching well with your body as you move).
“Even though I know we’re not fully inclusive, because there are some people who can’t fit into our clothing, we just wanted to make the best effort that we could,” Frodsham says. “Fitness is such an enjoyable part of life, and I wanted to make sure that everyone felt they could be part of it.”
And she says Mimi Move isn’t just for performance – it’s brunch appropriate, too. “I really wanted something that would still look cute when you’re going out and that could actually function really well.”
Since launching the label last week, Pattni says the high-rise Move shorts have been the biggest seller. The silky-soft fabric sits at a length suitable for strenuous activity without the “booty ride-up”, and there’s a zip pocket at the back to store your valuables.
“I know a lot of girls used to say, ‘I won’t wear shorts to the gym because of my cellulite or because I’m worried about how my size looks’,” Frodsham says. “But now more and more women are being like, ‘You know what? I don’t really care about that. I’m going to be hot in the gym. I want to wear something that moves with me.’”
The collection also includes a double-lined crop-top for extra support and ankle length leggings with a high-rise waist. Everything is priced between $59 and $99.
All Mimi Kini and Mimi Move pieces are made from recycled polyethylene, a material made from reclaimed plastic bottles. The duo recently visited the ethical, family-run factory in Guangzhou, China where the garments are manufactured, and tweaked the fabric to ensure that each piece was as sustainable as possible.
“We’re just hoping to get more women into activewear and feeling more comfortable and confident in their own skin,” says Frodsham.
Stephanie Vigilante 
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