The Name is Mina Le, and You Are?

July 12, 2022

Fashion critics have always been around because art has always been subjective. For many decades, the idea of what can be fashionable versus what can be stylish is still an invasive conversation.

From the naysayers that were Joan Rivers through 'Fashion Police' to tabloids that put Jennifer Lopez and Jennifer Garner in a caddy game of charades called: "Who wore it better?" to the newer critics, we're all searching to rip the Met Gala, or the BET Awards, or the Grammys, to shreds.

Somewhere in this passionate chaos of people whose love may fester and blink ferociously in the alleyways of Atelier Versace 1997, Marc Jacobs 2017, and even 1940s Haute Couture is, Mina Le. It all starts with one click on a video and a voice that says, "Hello, my beautiful doves!"

Interview by JoliAmour DuBose-Morris
Photos by Dean Rodgers

"Mina Le, you say?" This fashion and culture commentator brings educational and thought-provoking content from the liking of your 15 by 17-inch laptop. Videos range from "The Curse of the Child Star" to "why don't clothes fit????" and regardless if she's discussing the dangers of confidence movements to Shirley Temple, you're engaged continuously.

She's a glossary of books, film noir references, and much more. She deep dives into pop-cultural impacts on our society and how they influence each generation. In an interview, Mina Le spoke about her love of commentating and inspirations that delve back into the 20s through 50s.

When did your love of fashion begin?

It’s a cliche, but since I was old enough to remember. My mom is a really fashionable woman – she used to design/sew her own clothes throughout college and had her own consignment store for a time before I was born as well. So, I’ve definitely been influenced by her magic as a little girl.

How would you describe your style as well as your influences?

My style is ever shifting, but over the last few years, in the simplest terms, I would describe it as theatrical. I like to mix-and-match vintage pieces with contemporary pieces. For the vintage side: I’ve been really interested in 1920s/30s make-up, hair, and silhouettes. Part of the reason is that I love the costumey, naturally Tim Burton-esque style of silent films and I aspire to bring that Drama into my everyday look. I also think in general, I subconsciously gravitate towards silhouettes that flatter my body shape. I’m petite, don’t have much curve, with longer legs compared to my torso, so I prefer the boxy low-waist dresses of the 20s over the fit-and-flare shape of the 1950s. I’m also very influenced by historical fashions, so I have a few medieval-inspired headpieces, 18th century reproduction stays, chainmail accessories, and feather plumes that give an extra oomph to an otherwise “modern” outfit.

On your feed, you posted a photo with the caption, “Sofia Coppola cast me NOW” — if you were to be in a Coppola film, what should the genre be and what is the film about?

Hahaha. I love a period piece, so my preference is for a movie similar to Marie Antoinette (2006) or The Beguiled (2017), but I definitely wouldn’t complain if she casted me for something like The Bling Ring (2013)! What I like about Sofia’s work is that she’s very dedicated to the whimsy and struggles of the upper-class teenage girl. You can argue that it’s a boring or “problematic,” but it stems from her own upbringing, which to me, makes her work more authentic. I’ve been really into a 1920s/30s crime heiress concept (à la Chicago) and I think Miss Sofia would rock at doing it.

Are there any unpopular opinions that you haven’t shared on your channel?

I don’t know if I have an “unpopular opinion,” but I’ve been asked for a long time to discuss the ethics of Depop selling. To me, it’s a really complicated subject because I’ve heard both sides of the argument, but as someone who doesn’t “thrift” in the conventional sense (I mainly source from friends, buyers, and flea markets) or resell, I don’t know if I could do a proper job talking about it. In general, my policy is that if I feel under-informed or if I feel I can’t add to the discussion productively, then I don’t want to do a video on it. Maybe one day though!

What do you think is the best video you’ve ever made?

That’s hard. I don’t tend to rewatch my old videos because as prophet Sky Ferreira says, “Everything is Embarrassing.” Also, my production quality has gotten so much better since I’ve hired on a video editor to help me, and having extra hands has allowed me to put more thought in my script-writing too. So, probably every new release becomes my “best” video. But as for the one I had the most fun making, probably my Bridgerton Season 2 review!

In your videos, you share so much knowledge about costume especially for period films and anything adjacent. Would you want to work in wardrobe for theater or for film in the future?

I think it would be fun as a one-off project or to work as a consultant, but being a costume designer is a full-time job and as of now, I’m enjoying Youtube too much to put it on the back burner!

Why do you think the concept of fashion is so controversial?

I think, like any art form, there is a certain elitism with fashion. I see it a lot on Twitter where people act like their favorite designers are The Best designers and their favorite shows are the Only Good Shows. I guess because the way we dress ourselves is such a good indicator of who we are as people, a lot of people can get defensive over others disagreeing with them.

A follow up to that question— many people don’t understand why fashion is important or even what it is. What is a Mina Le definition of fashion?

So, I’ve read “Fashion Theory: The Journal of Dress, Body, and Culture,” which is edited by Valerie Steele, one of the most prominent fashion historians in the field. I usually take her word as gospel, and in the book, their definition of fashion is “the cultural construction of the embodied identity.” I really like this definition. Fashion is not “just clothes,” it’s culture, and that’s what I try to emphasize the most on my channel. When I do an aesthetic analysis video, I reflect on the history of the style and the cultural impact. Fashion tells us so much of who we are, who we were, and where we’re going.

Fashion

ECCO.kollektive collaborates with Louis-Gabriel Nouchi

November 21, 2024

ECCO.kollektive has teamed up with Paris-based designer Louis-Gabriel Nouchi for a bold and innovative Spring/Summer 2025 collection. Known for his thoughtful exploration of masculinity and storytelling in fashion, Nouchi brings his unique perspective to this collaboration, blending his modern aesthetic with ECCO’s skill in craftsmanship and material innovation.

The collection features a range of footwear, clothing, and accessories, each designed with attention to detail. The collection uses a mix of black, deep red, and pearl white. Sensual touches, like Nouchi’s signature slits, combine with structured tailoring and flowing shapes, showing how the designer blends bold and refined styles.

We spoke with Louis-Gabriel Nouchi about the collection and his inspiration. From the textures of the human body to his love for stretch leather, Nouchi shared how the collaboration allowed to experiment with new ideas.

By Enzo Holdt
Photography by courtesy of ECCO.kollektive x LGN

The collection debuted at Paris Fashion Week and draws inspiration from the textures of the human body. “The idea came from the textures of skin,” Nouchi explains. “I wanted to create something sensual and fluid, using leather in a way that felt both strong and soft. Leather has this amazing quality—it can feel like armor, but also like a second skin.”

Nouchi worked closely with ECCO to develop designs that showcase the versatility of their materials. High-shine biker nappa leather with a waxy finish appears in tailored separates like a single-breasted blazer, trousers, and long-line shorts. For a more experimental edge, he created a column dress and a pencil skirt using strips of leather embroidered onto stretchy tulle—a design he says was inspired by his younger self. “When I was young, I was obsessed with stretch leather because of designers like Jean-Claude Jitrois. It’s something I wanted to explore and bring into this collection, almost like fulfilling a dream for my past self.”

Footwear is another major highlight, featuring Derby shoes, Helsinki loafers, and the standout Truck Lace loafer with a bold platform. The shoe’s futuristic design draws from Nouchi’s fascination with brutalism and technology. “It might be a bit controversial,” he says, laughing, “but I really like the Tesla Cybertruck. The sharp, angular lines and futuristic look combined with that raw, brutalist vibe—it’s something that resonates with me. The platform on the Truck Lace loafer feels like a nod to that kind of design.”

Another unique detail is the inclusion of removable coins on some of the shoes, adding a playful yet personal touch. “You can take the coins off—it becomes almost like a lucky charm,” Nouchi says. “It’s one of those small details that make the pieces feel more connected to the wearer.”

Louis-Gabriel Nouchi’s signature slit motif, which adds subtle hints of reveal and concealment, runs throughout the collection. “The slit is about teasing the eye,” he explains. “It’s never about revealing too much—it’s about creating tension, a little mystery.” This motif appears on everything from loafers to hems, blending seamlessly with the collection's sensual yet structured aesthetic.

When asked about the versatility of his designs, Nouchi emphasizes their adaptability to different occasions. “You can wear these pieces in super casual situations on the street, looking super chic at night—super sexy,” he says. “From one garment, you can style it in so many ways during the day. For example, the tank top—you can wear it with pants, or without. It’s super hot, super cool, and it works for so many moments.”

For Nouchi, the collaboration with ECCO was as much about innovation as it was about creative freedom. “There are no limits with ECCO,” he says. “As a designer obsessed with materials, having the freedom to push development this far was an amazing opportunity. Fashion, for me, is like a laboratory. It’s about testing ideas and seeing how far we can take them.”

The ECCO.kollektive x Louis-Gabriel Nouchi collection is available now, combining high-quality craftsmanship with bold, modern design that showcases Nouchi’s vision and ECCO’s craftsmanship.

Fashion

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Escaping the Glass Cage

November 19, 2024

For years, she stood still, watching life rush past her, a quiet observer behind the glass. Now, the glass is broken, and she steps out into the unknown. She walks through the city, caught between two worlds—part of it, yet apart from it.

Her journey is quiet but bold, searching for something she’s never understood, something just out of reach. On church steps and under glowing city lights, she questions everything: the rules, the past, and where she truly belongs. Each step feels both freeing and uncertain.

A curious soul in a borrowed life, she keeps moving forward, leaving behind only whispers of her escape, like a fleeting shadow in the night.