Style Crush: Mercedes Mimran

Name? Mercedes Mimran

Age? 20

City? New York

Occupation? Parsons student and aspiring stylist

Describe your personal style...

Most of the time I wear black and I love menswear. I'm part rock 'n roll and part nautical.

Who is your celebrity style crush?

Chloe Sevigny - she's super fab!

Where do you look to for fashion advice?

My mother. She always tells me the truth. Her style is so playful- her jewelry especially is a stunning mix of costume and eclectic vintage pieces. And she never plays by the rules. She always looks fantastic.

Which stores/brands dominate your wardrobe?

Mostly Pink Tartan and Joe Fresh mixed with a ton of vintage pieces to make them my own.

In which city can the most fashionable women found?

I love downtown New York style. I used to live in the lower east side where I'd sit on my stoop in the summer and be so inspired. Runways are great, but not realistic for my body type, so looking to real people on the street it is so much easier to get an accessible idea of what could look good on me.

What are the 3 things you never leave home without?

My Blackberry, my Halston handbag and Rosebud Salve lip balm.

What are your latest obsessions?

- I just found out that I need glasses so now I'm obsessed with hunting for the perfect vintage frames.

- My black mens work boots that I've wearing all season

- I just rediscovered my Mercedes name plate necklace (à la Carrie Bradshaw) that my friend Blair gave me in grade 7 and now I rock it every day.

Where can you be found on a typical Saturday afternoon?

In the Chelsea flea market. I love a hunt and a bargain - there's something so satisfying about having something no one else has.

Your best style moment?

I think my best style moments happen when I don't plan them. I always feel great in jeans, a t-shirt and a great structured piece of outerwear to pull it all together.

Which up-and-coming designers are you most excited about?

Alexander Wang, who just won the CFDA award, and Corpus, who is growing their womens line- I can't wait to wear it all!

Why do you love fashion?

I love its expressive nature. As a kid I loved dressing up. I had a massive trunk with retired Halloween costumes and my mom's rejected clothing and it was a venue for creativity. I still feel like a little kid when I get dressed up.

Favourite quote?

"The only real elegance is in the mind; if you've got that, the rest really comes from it." - Diana Vreeland

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