How Mia Zotos Followed Her ‘Innate Calling to Fashion’ to Create Mode Mischief Studios
Australian fashion label Mode Mischief Studios is no stranger to viral moments, making waves with its fanciful reimagination of The Bubble Skirt and with famous fans including Hailey Bieber herself.
It all begins with founder and creative director Mia Zotos, born and raised in Melbourne, who started designing her own clothing at the age of 5 and followed her creative passion into adulthood. Mode Mischief Studios is beloved for its timeless, slow-fashion wardrobe staples, including this year's Sartoriale collection featuring gorgeous '90s-inspired office siren pieces. We had the pleasure of speaking with Mia to learn more about the brand and what it means to her to be an entrepreneur in the interview below.
Name: Mia Zotos
IG handle: @modemischief
Hometown: Melbourne, Australia
Zodiac sign: Virgo
1. Mia has always had a fascination with fashion.
"Growing up surrounded by pop culture, social media and events like the Met Gala, I became obsessed with the ambiguous nature of style. It's amazing to see how everyone uniquely expresses themselves and uses fashion as an expressive art form to tell stories. In my role, I'm constantly researching fashion and its history, which is fascinating and really interesting to see how style has developed over time."
-Mia Zotos
2. Her personal style is a mix of contemporary and vintage looks, with a touch of the '90s
"I enjoy adding my own twist to things, wearing anything that makes me happy, often through pops of color, unique vintage pieces or interesting shoes. I love layering and experimenting with different ways to wear pieces, creating unexpected combinations that allow me to express myself and my creativity.
To me, fashion is an art form that represents emotion, personality, culture and more. I draw inspiration from various sources such as art, music, film, culture and through fashion research. Additionally, traveling and experiencing different cultures provides fresh perspectives and ideas, helping me to continuously evolve and adapt my style. Fashion is not just about clothing; it's about expressing who you are and telling your unique story.
-Mia Zotos
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3. Her connection to the fashion world is in her blood, and she started designing early.
"I grew up with a deep love for community, culture and art—especially fashion. With two generations of my family in the fashion industry, I felt an innate calling to fashion from a young age. From age 5, I began exploring my creativity by designing and wearing my own clothes, learning to hand sew and conceptualizing my future fashion businesses. I pursued fashion in high school, but my analytical side led me to study science, graduating in 2023 from university with a Bachelor of Science. Initially planning to pursue a law master's degree, I felt a strong urge to explore my creative passion instead. In 2021, I introduced Mode Mischief Studios, a brand I had conceptualized since 2019 and felt deeply connected to. It was midway through the pandemic with a small savings account. I knew the timing was right to begin business planning and production and unveil Mode Mischief Studios to the world."
-Mia Zotos
4. Mode Mischief Studios is about looking both forward and back to create something timeless.
"Mode Mischief pieces are both historically inspired yet forward in vision, creating something new from what we may already know or have forgotten. When designing our clothing, I integrate a lot of inspiration from my personal life, beliefs and wardrobe so each piece has a personable story. I believe Mode Mischief Studios is unique as our clothing is crafted to be versatile, allowing it to be worn in multiple ways and transcend trends. Importantly, every item is crafted in small runs in Australia, ensuring both quality and ethical practices."
-Mia Zotos
5. The name Mode Mischief Studios is all about the juxtaposition of the words.
"'Mode' is derived from 'la mode,' the French word for fashion, symbolizing timeless and classic style. 'Mischief' represents a unique, artistic twist. The alliteration of the two M's makes them seem like they naturally belong together. I believe this juxtaposition between everlasting and playful modernism is a perfect representation of the brand's direction."
-Mia Zotos
(via Mode Mischief Studios)
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6. When she's in a rush, her go-to outfit is a pair of mid-rise straight-leg jeans paired with a baby tee or oversized white tee, plus a cute vintage jacket for that personal touch.
"For footwear, I usually opt for my ballerina Tabis or classic black loafers, paired with a vintage leather shoulder bag to tie the look together. These pieces honestly don't spend much time in my closet because I'm always wearing them, and it's such an easy look!"
-Mia Zotos
7. The best advice she ever received came from her dad.
"'Do what you love—passion is the driving force for endless possibilities.' He always emphasizes that if you have passion and genuinely love what you do, you can go anywhere you set your mind to.
This advice reminds me that success isn't just about hard work but also about finding joy and fulfillment in the journey. Whenever I face challenges or doubts, my passion for what I do motivates me to keep pushing forward. This perspective has been crucial in the creation and growth of Mode Mischief Studios, driving me to innovate and stay true to my vision."
-Mia Zotos
8. Her current wardrobe fixation is Mode Mischief Studios' new '90s- inspired collection, Sartoriale.
"I love suit trousers and their versatility to wear formally or casually, so the Mode Mischief Studios Neu Classic Pants are a pair I wear on repeat. These pants are crafted with a '90s-style straight leg and a unique wide waistband, but I also love that they're a wool material so I can wear them through summer and winter! These are my go-to work pants, everyday pants and going-out pants!"
-Mia Zotos
(via Mode Mischief Studios)
9. At the moment, she's loving the "office siren" trend.
"It's a fresh take on '90s corporate styles, incorporating them into everyday wear. I believe corporate styles are making a comeback because they represent a shift in how the modern woman approaches fashion, embracing styles that make them feel confident and comfortable while being conscious of fashion consumption.
To me, the office siren trend feels both comfortable and powerful. It includes versatile silhouettes that can be effortlessly styled and worn throughout the year, making them perfect for building a timeless wardrobe. This style is also transformative, often making me feel as though I'm stepping back into the '90s when corporate chic was ubiquitous and influential."
-Mia Zotos
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10. Though she dedicates most of her life to work and the fashion industry, she wants people to know that outside of work, she loves pursuing other hobbies.
"You'll usually find me browsing thrift stores, exploring new restaurants, lost in a book or vinyl store, playing with my cat or wandering galleries and museums. I also love traveling and creating travel guides for my friends, so if you ever need recommendations, I'm your girl."
-Mia Zotos
For more insights from the entrepreneurs who inspire us, click HERE to read up on Samreen Arshad of Samreens Vanity.