Kimberley Newport-Mimran

Kimberley Newport-Mimran

Kimberley Newport-Mimran, fashion designer (b at Niagara Falls, Ont 9 Sep 1968). Kimberley Newport-Mimran discovered her initial interest in fashion working as a retail sales associate at the age of 14 in her home town of Niagara Falls. With a growing curiosity for the inner workings of the fashion world, Newport-Mimran moved to Toronto and studied apparel manufacturing management at George Brown College (1989). After graduating the program, she joined the buying team at the Hudson's Bay Company, Canada's oldest retailer.

Following three years of experience connecting with international brands and suppliers, as well as observing the purchasing habits of Canadian consumers, she moved to the product development and merchandising offices at Club Monaco, where she would soon spearhead the expansion of a national brand. The once-Canadian retail firm utilized Newport-Mimran's understanding of the current market and her keen eye for streamlined design in both products and retail environments. Following several successful seasons on the design side of the label, Kimberley Newport-Mimran became the senior director for its newest venture, Caban. The homeware and design concept store, which launched in 2000, was an extension of the Club Monaco brand and allowed Newport-Mimran to be a part of a growing movement towards the emergence of lifestyle brands within North America.

After a brief break from the industry to marry and start a family, Newport-Mimran and her husband, former Club Monaco CEO Joseph Mimran, launched Pink Tartan in 2002, a womenswear brand focused on modern and sophisticated sportswear designed to accommodate the "day-to-dinner" lifestyle. As president and head designer, Newport-Mimran focused her attention on creating designs for the working woman looking for elegance for everyday wear. Inspired by her grandmother and muses in fashion, the designer held a niche within the Canadian market that reflected in its early sales and industry buzz.

By the fall of 2004, Newport-Mimran expanded with sales offices in New York where she reconnected and strengthened relationships with buyers and retailers from her years of experience within the industry.

In addition to producing her ready-to-wear line, the designer has also created uniforms for several leading firms, including Porter Airlines (2006), 60 Thompson in New York, Roosevelt Hotel's Tropicana bar in Hollywood, and the concierge team at Holt Renfrew stores across Canada (2010).

In late 2010, Pink Tartan opened its first flagship store in Toronto's affluent Yorkville neighbourhood. The renovated 3200-square-foot Scottish-Georgian converted townhouse, built in 1837, was titled "Seventy Seven," based on its address. The lifestyle concept shop, designed by BurdiFilek, focuses on enriching the brand's ready-to-wear line with a mix of lifestyle goods selected by the designer.

Today, Pink Tartan can be found at Canadian luxury retailers Holt Renfrew and The Bay, as well as at leading US department stores: Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale's and Neiman Marcus. The line also retails in over 170 specialty stores across North America and internationally in Dubai, Korea, Japan, Greece and England.

In addition to dressing the everyday woman, Pink Tartan has also been worn by top celebrities including Kim Cattrall, Jenny McCarthy, Vanessa Williams, Kate Hudson, and Charlize Theron.

Along with her husband, Newport-Mimran supports several charitable causes that raise awareness for children's welfare, women's health, AIDS and community development. She contributes regularly to Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children and the New Yorkers for Children Benefit.