Refinery29

Recently, Mimi Hecht and Mushky Notik, co-owners of Brooklyn-based modest clothing boutique Mimu Maxi posted a photo of one of their customers looking lovely in their signature design, a lime-green "skirt legging." The photo kicked off a controversy — and a pretty badass response from Hecht and Notik.

DAEPNY.COM

As I sit in the outdoor area of a quaint Kosher brunch spot called Basil in Crown Heights, I see the radiant Mimi and Mushky of Mimu Maxi, walking towards me. Mimi has on a caftan over jeans with shades, looking Donna Karan-chic, while Mushky is wearing one of their newer designs, a beautiful and flowing denim caftan that sweeps past the floor. Their hair, though they wear wigs, is shining and breaks the Orthodox convention.

OZY.COM

Hold on to your snoods, people: Modest clothing is going chic, and Hecht and Notik are among the designers leading the charge. Though their business grew out of their own frustration with finding stylish clothing that adhered to Orthodox Jewish laws of modesty, its customers now include Muslims, Christians and those who don’t belong to any religion.

THE VILLAGE VOICE

Mimu Maxi is a small clothing line in Brooklyn, owned by two sisters-in-law from Crown Heights, Mimi Hecht and Mushky Notik. Hecht and Notik are observant Orthodox Jews, and as such, as they write on their website, they've often struggled to find clothes that were stylish but still as modest as Orthodox custom requires.

TIMES OF ISRAEL

Orthodox clothing company takes a stand for inter-religious sisterhood as Gaza-Israel tensions rise.

THE FORWARD

"We are Chabad women, and our Rebbe always reminded people that no matter what inherent differences and what there is to disagree on, there must be an area, a way that we can work together and highlight our mutual values. Our collaboration with Summer, yes all the more so during tense times between Jews and Muslims, is a beautiful example of this and we are very proud we were chosen to bridge this gap."

PKID CHICKS

Well as you can see our various diverse looks fit anyone from a young teen in high school to a working woman on the run. Super comfy and easy to wear! So whats our final say? We not only worked the skirt leggings, the skirt leggings worked for us!

A LA MODESTY

So you can imagine my excitement when the MIMU girls created the MIMU MAXI Jean Husband Dress. Combining the cool factor of your husband’s favorite button-down, with the perennially perfect choice of denim, the result is a major revelation for your closet. It also doesn’t hurt that it is comfortable; something we all look for when getting dressed.

HUFFINGTON POST LIVE

MOMOMOD.COM

The great thing about MIMU MAXI skirts is that you can dress them up or down. They are comfortable to wear anywhere and anytime.

NOT DEAD YET STYLE BLOG

Two Orthodox women, Mimi Hecht and Mushky Notik, are experimenting with new approaches to traditional garb. They founded MIMU MAXI, a clothing line that adheres to the rules but offers more varied and colorful choices.

GENTEEL

Mimi Hecht and Mushky Notik, founders of MIMU MAXI, are taking a more organic, innovative approach... To the public, the strict codes tend to add to a somewhat negative perception of Orthodox practice. However, Hecht and Notik are doing what they can to change this, and considering that the gentrification of their neighbourhood has brought them a whole new audience (and dressing modestly seems to be "in"), they haven't picked a bad time at all.

KITCHEN TESTED

The two sisters have created a line of maxi skirts that are flattering, sexy, fun and unique. Everyone that has ever tried on a MIMU MAXI has looked good in it! That’s the truth!

FASHIONISTA.COM

"Wearing their own designs, the electric designers would fit into any street style blog."

FASHION-ISHA

I'm crazy about the urban and artsy attitude that this collection, and the designers themselves evoke. You always know with MIMU MAXI you're going to get exactly what Mimi and Mushky themselves would want in the perfect skirt. Being a grassroots company, they even model their own styles as seen below, and sell through their Facebook page, where they are in constant conversation with their customers in order to stay on the pulse of what each one is looking for.

DNA.INFO

"But for women who strive to stand out within strict codes of modesty, MIMU MAXI's newest line of chic, extra-long skirts — initially tailored to the sartorial concerns of Hasidic Crown Heights — are injecting fresh energy into women's wardrobes around the world."

IN FASHION

WOMEN TO WATCH Quite a following has developed around their 'Skirt Leggings'—a slim-cut skirt that, the designers say, offers all the comfort, versatility and neutrality of a good pair of leggings.

IN FASHION

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