Mike Souvanthanlisith and Muriel Ann Ricafrente – the duo behind Sydney-based experimental design practice Studio MIMU – are unique voices in Australia’s creative landscape. The multi-disciplinary designers and artists use their platform to blend the creation of physical forms with considered storytelling and layered cultural commentary.

With a focus on diversity and a passion for community, Mike and Muriel use their combined skill set to deliver a positive
impact to those around them.

To celebrate the launch of our exclusive Black and Silver Ice colourway of the iconic Needles H.D. Track Set with Japanese brand Needles, we sat down with the creative couple at BTWNLNS in Newtown. Here’s what they had to say.

HOW DO YOU DEFINE YOUR WORK AT STUDIO MIMU?

Sometimes serious. Sometimes not. Studio MIMU is our experimental design practice; focusing on projects within the fields of arts and culture. Our work embraces the 'craziest' version of an idea and is quite eclectic, blurring the lines between graphic, spatial and sculptural. We always aim to make something visually arresting, crafting with respect to form, function and fascination.

WHERE DO YOU LOOK FOR INSPIRATION IN YOUR CREATIVE PRACTICE?

A lot of our passive inspiration comes from our nerdy hobbies and interests. We're both big gamers, fantasy-lovers, sci-fi-nauts and anime-dweebs, and it shows through our work. When we're actively seeking out inspiration, we'll usually go visit a gallery. Artists aren't nearly as restricted by the pragmatism of commercial design as designers. In most cases, they have complete creative freedom: a blank canvas. For most designers, not having a brief is an absolute nightmare, but the fabled 'near-zero-brief' is what we're always aiming for.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS YOUR CULTURAL BACKGROUND SHAPED YOUR PRACTICE, DO YOU THINK THIS INFLUENCES WITH THE STORIES YOU CHOOSE TO ENGAGE WITH?

Both our parents migrated from South East Asia with not much in their pockets. Our work is always about doing the most with the least (be it time, money or resources). Not a day goes by that we don't feel fortunate to be able to be designers. It sounds like a fake job. From not having very much when we were little to now being able to 'make anything we want', however we want, on the computer feels like magic. We wield our wacom-wands and cast our rendering spells with a lot of gratitude, and extend that gratitude to all the amazing people we get to work with.

WHAT DOES YOUR COMMUNITY MEAN TO YOU, WHAT ARE YOUR HOPES FOR EMERGING DESIGNERS AND THE FUTURE OF AUSTRALIA'S CREATIVE LANDSCAPE?

Growing up, there weren't many Asian-Australian designers we knew that we could look up to as role models. When your entire career is centered around people's personal opinions, it can be hard to back yourself when no one else in the room looks like you. We make a big effort to work with, support and celebrate people within our community; offering them the leg up we wish we had when we were younger. It's a lot of work — leading by example, mentoring and sharing the cheat codes — but it's work worth doing! We haven't made it, until everyone who looks like us can make it too. We just hope we're being good ancestors.

IN THREE WORDS, HOW DO YOU EACH DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONAL STYLE?

Mu — Eclectic, Sculptural, Bayonetta

Mike — Samurai Pizza Cats

WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT THE ICONIC HD TRACKPANTS AND TRACK JACKET FROM NEEDLES?

They feel like they were designed to be worn while observing sport rather than playing, which suits us and our indoors-y builds perfectly. Effortlessly cool, a little bit tough and touch of cute.

Featuring STUDIO MIMU
Photography BRITT MURPHY
Videography DAN KNOTT
Creative Direction AMANDA FUNG
Creative Production KARLIEBUTSON
Styling SOPHIA MURDOCH
Hair and Makeup SORAYA BOULARAS
Location BTWNLNS