Community

Women Series: Portia Prince

Interviewed by Natalie Procter
Photographed by Katherine Brook

‘‘Every piece has a story’’ is our way of giving you a little insight into the wonderful people behind our brand and the special individuals who are a part of our Mina Community.

We visited Portia Prince at her Grey Lynn home to talk about the importance of community, authenticity online and using her platform to help amplify marginalised voices.

"I use my platform to amplify black voices, small sustainable brands doing incredible things and being open and giving honest opinions with my audience about world affairs. I want to be as authentic as possible."

Portia wears the Day Shirt in Cream with the Studio Pant in Seafoam

Portia wears the Dew Top in White with the Moi Pant in Olive

You’ve been part of the fashion industry a while now, how does our little industry compare to over in the UK?

Compared to the UK, I have found the industry here much smaller but I’ve developed closer relationships with the brands I have worked with which I love.

I have been able to be more creatively expressive with my time. I’ve moved into other fields such as styling and have few exciting collaborations in the pipeline to keep me busy for the next few months.

I am more focused on working with brands that are sustainability focused, producing small runs without being season specific. One of them being Mina. I have found a great community of people since being here who share the same values.

Portia wears the Dew Top in White

Instagram and social media can be a hard platform to navigate but you do it so authentically. Can you tell us what your platform means to you?

My platform has become a space I love again, it wasn’t the case two years ago. It felt tedious and time consuming. I definitely felt pressure to always be working, motherhood changed that for me.

I use my platform to amplify black voices, small sustainable brands doing incredible things and being open and giving honest opinions with my audience about world affairs. I want to be as authentic as possible and also enjoy a healthy debate, a place to communicate but with boundaries being respected.

I want to use it as a space for change, I realised the power my platform could hav when running my Freedom Run fundraiser last year, which raised funds for 5 black led charities worldwide, We raised £11,000 in a month through amazing support from brands, or companies and people wanting to support. I know community can be powerful when I needs to be. I’d love to do something similar in NZ whilst we’re here. I also love how I have connected with so many people who moved to NZ around the same time due to COVID too.

Portia with Ngaire in the Bud Dress in Seafoam

Portia wears the Crisp Shirt in Powder Blue with the Ribbed Singlet in White and Isik Skirt in Navy Pinstripe

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Women Series: Portia Prince

"I use my platform to amplify black voices, small sustainable brands doing incredible things and being open and giving honest opinions with my audience about world affairs. I want to be as authentic as possible."

You’ve been part of the fashion industry a while now, how does our little industry compare to over in the UK?

Instagram and social media can be a hard platform to navigate but you do it so authentically. Can you tell us what your platform means to you?

Women Series: Charlotte Penman

Women Series: Tori Ambler