How Pantelis Mitsu took mitsu|mitsu from sewing room to dressing Saudi royalty

In the early 1980s, Pantelis Mitsu, a man of humble beginnings driven by a passion for fashion, made the bold decision to leave his secure job as chief designer in a Cypriot jeans factory and to embark on a solo journey, settling into a modest village workshop in a rented space outside Limassol.

Through his extravagant designs, he slowly but surely carved out a niche in the industry and, a decade later, he was able to proudly unveil his mitsu|mitsu boutique and workshop in the heart of Limassol’s old town. His designs have since captivated customers from all corners of the world, gracing the wardrobes of Hollywood actresses, international singers and countless public figures. Today, he works in tandem with his daughter Yzabelle, who has infused the brand with fresh creativity and is pushing its boundaries further.

A glimpse of the mitsu|mitsu Instagram feed reveals a world of daring, dazzling and glamorous fashion but the brand's origins in 1982 were a far cry from this glitzy world. “When I left my job at the factory, I rented a room in a village just outside Limassol, bought two sewing machines, and started to slowly create my first collection with a single seamstress by my side,” Pantelis Mitsu recalls. “We didn’t have the luxury of social media for publicity back then – it was all through word of mouth and the support of acquaintances.” These humble beginnings, however, were just the stepping stones to a remarkable journey that would see the mitsu|mitsu brand evolve into a renowned fashion house.

A turning point came when a friend urged the designer to expand his reach beyond Limassol. “So, I took my first collection to a boutique in Nicosia,” he reminisces. “The response was overwhelmingly positive and I soon started seeing my clothes worn by local TV presenters and public figures.” This new-found fame marked the start of a new chapter in his career, as his designs gained recognition beyond his hometown's boundaries.

The initial inspiration

From the very beginning, Pantelis Mitsu was driven by a desire to make a statement and leave a lasting impression. His unique designs, often featuring a fusion of materials with contrasting textures such as leather and lace or sparkling stones, reflect his boundless creativity. They also showcase his innovative spirit, blending Eastern influences with Western aesthetics.

Soon enough, orders for his unique garments were pouring in from abroad and, as the years went by, Mitsu was invited to participate in international fashion shows in cities across Europe – Athens, London, Düsseldorf, Moscow, Vienna – and beyond. Today, his creations are shipped globally to customers and partner shops, including an exclusive arrangement with a luxury resort on the Greek island of Mykonos.

“I’m proud to have dressed actors, singers, politicians and even members of the Saudi Royal Family,” the designer lets on. Even Hollywood stars like Goldie Hawn, Shirley Bassey and Helen Mirren have worn the brand's ready-to-wear pieces, once available at a prestigious Knightsbridge boutique that stocked the mitsu|mitsu collection. “I have lived through many intense experiences, and I want to continue to have them,” Mitsu proclaims, before recalling one of the most memorable in Austria. “Twenty-six European designers were taking part in the event, which was being held under the patronage of Valentino Garavani [the renowned Italian fashion designer and founder of the Valentino brand]. When my collection appeared, he stood up and applauded me. Later, he came by my dressing room and asked me questions, gave me some advice and personally congratulated me.”

A fresh burst of energy

Just over a decade ago, Pantelis Mitsu’s now 30-year-old daughter, Yzabelle, followed in his footsteps and studied at the London College of Fashion. Having been captivated by the world of clothes from a very young age – she grew up in her father’s workshop, watching him transform ideas into beautiful garments – she says that, “It felt natural to me to follow this path. This early exposure not only fuelled my love of fashion but also ingrained in me a respect for the meticulous work behind each piece.” Mitsu admits that he was immediately relieved when his daughter joined the company as her new ideas and proposals injected fresh energy into the latest collections. From the get-go, she also took responsibility for quality control and international customer support.

“Upon my return, I took the opportunity to blend the brand's legacy with contemporary influences. My vision was to infuse mitsu|mitsu with a youthful and modern aesthetic, while maintaining the timeless elegance that the brand is known for,” says Yzabelle. “My goal was to create designs that resonate with our loyal clientele and also with a new generation of fashion enthusiasts.”

So, how challenging is it for father and daughter to work side by side? “We naturally work well together, actually!” she says. “In my experience, on the few occasions when we haven’t seen eye to eye, we’ve produced some of our best work, so the process and outcome always end up being quite rewarding.”

An ode to craftsmanship

Today, the mitsu|mitsu collection spans a diverse array, from bridal dresses to evening gowns and resort wear, all the while maintaining a cohesive brand aesthetic. A glamorous boutique on Limassol’s St. Andrew’s Street showcases the brand’s ready-to-wear pieces, attracting clients of all ages and nationalities. But it’s upstairs, in their colourful workshop, where the magic really happens, packed with fabrics directly sourced by Pantelis and Yzabelle from abroad. Six seamstresses and two embroiderers help them on their mission to create fashion that makes heads turn.

“Whether it's evening wear or resort wear, our designs are rooted in the same principles and values. We focus on elements like quality, craftsmanship and meticulous attention to detail, adding signature design details that are distinctly ours,” Yzabelle explains. With these elements creating a cohesive thread throughout the collection, the brand's timeless appeal and ability to flatter and accentuate body and personality continue set their clothes apart.

Beyond their ready-to-wear pieces, the father-daughter duo are also renowned for their creative, bespoke designs, striking a fine balance between client demands and their own unique flair.

“We talk to the client about their style, colour preferences and any other ideas they may have in mind and get to know their personality. We’ve always worked by sketching, which is an important part of the process as we can visually communicate our interpretation of the client’s vision to ensure that we are aligned,” says Yzabelle. “Once we’ve finalized a given design and fabrics, we begin fittings to ensure that the piece fits perfectly and looks as intended, making any necessary adjustments along the way. We always aim to ensure that the final piece makes them feel the part.” Interestingly, the creative process never seems to have a clear-cut beginning or end for the designer duo. “When we finish one garment, new inspiration strikes!” exclaims Pantelis Mitsu

Given this ever-evolving process, how do they envision the brand evolving over the next decade? If his upbeat approach is anything to go by, it doesn’t seem that much can get in their way, since both father and daughter positively assert that any difficulties always pave the way for growth. As for the stress and pressures of the job, Mitsu believes that they simply help him make his unique creations. “We see ourselves creating pieces that will stand the test of time, feel elegant and look good, no matter the year,” enthuses Yzabelle. And who dares not believe her?

This article was first published in the first edition of MHV Group’s special publication MHV Moments. To view it, click here. To read the entire publication, click here.