Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrea Morgan.
Hi Andrea, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I started my career after a degree in art history in New York during the late 90’s working in fashion. I got a job as an intern working at Harper’s Bazaar working for the legendary Liz Tilberis. She was Anna Wintour’s biggest threat and her team was made up of not only the most talented people working in fashion, but also somehow the kindest. I bounced around over to Vogue, Nylon and back to Bazaar with other editors but always knew I wanted to be making something. After 10 years, I applied to graduate schools to study architecture and received my masters in architecture from UCLA. The faculty there was also unusually prolific in actual built work and not just head in the clouds academia. The head of the program was Sylvia Lavin who had put together an enviable team of the best of the west coast practitioners who were using all the newest technologies. After graduating during the recession of 2007, I got married had a baby and started to work out of my home office pregnant and trying to nurse. Thankfully, our preschool supported families with parents who had two jobs and I was able to claw my way back to work with the late hours they allowed us to work. I slowly had my 4 jobs on one street in Santa Monica, all by word of mouth and have quite recently gone back for second rounds with a couple of them. The jobs have become larger with bigger budgets after years and years of baby steps.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Starting was probably the hardest. Knowing how much more money I made in fashion editorial and barely covering the expenses of a nanny while starting out is hard. Also, the times when you think the industry is not going to be great, it ends up being a boon for the business and vice versa. Like covid was a surprising huge boost for the design business and like wise, the terrible fires of this year in the Palisades has kicked people in high gear even if they weren’t directly affected by the fires themselves. The Hollywood writer’s strike directly affected the mood and mentality of the business and continues to be difficult for friends in the industry.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
As a woman having worked in fashion and now interior design/architecture, I am always surprised that even these completely female dominated industries, men still seem to be awarded a disproportionate amount of accolades and high paying jobs. I spent extra time in my career to devote to education in architecture to make myself beyond competitive in and sure of myself in my both my resume and experience so I knew I couldn’t be doubted. I waited almost 20 years after having left fashion to really put myself out there with my work in this field, because I knew I wasn’t going anywhere else. I was in it for the ride. My combined experience working in fashion at the level I was working with truly the best of the best and then learning the skills in this parallel industry of design sets me apart. I also share a profound duty to elevate the women and men around me that make our projects what they are.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Enjoy the ride and treat every obstacle as an opportunity to grow.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mimishin.com
- Instagram: @mimishindesign
Image Credits
Portrait and last 3 shots Jess Isaac (stained glass, orange marble and chaise lounge). The top images of the blue upholstered wood room and the closet are shot by Amy Bartlam.
