Case study: An amazing family story of talented women who dared to dream
Mitan and Moni: The true story of two talented, young Swedish women who dared to dream of fashion success in Hollywood by Jenny Levallius is an adventurous read.
The biography tells how the sisters went from the small time to the big time in the 1960-70s creating custom garments for celebs.
This included Goldie Hawn, Patty Duke, Marlo Thomas, Sammy Davis Jr., Diana Ross, Sharon Tate, Ann-Margret and many more!
So keep reading to find out how graphic designer Levallius wrote this amazing family story about her mum and aunt plus her top tips for life-story creators …
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Jenny Levallius’s Mitan and Moni
A life abroad
I was born and raised in a small town in southern Sweden as the oldest of five kids.
After high school, I fulfilled my long-time dream of studying at an American university in Ohio and ended up spending 11 wonderful years in the US before returning to Sweden, this time to Stockholm.
Once back in my home country, I began a career as a magazine designer before transitioning over to print and digital graphic design.
Currently I live in the Swedish archipelago with my husband and twins and work for a global strategy consulting firm as a senior designer by day.
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Why begin Mitan and Moni?
I began this Mitan and Moni journey 12 years ago when I first interviewed my mom about these exciting years in her early life.
In addition I even did a draft layout of the book at that time but I had thought about documenting this story for much longer.
Earlier, when I was about age 10, I first learned of my mom and aunt’s early connection to Hollywood and felt this was an amazing story that should be written about.
However, it never occurred to me at the time that I would be the one to write it.
Indeed I thought my mom and aunt’s experience was so unique and inspiring (with the added bonus of a little Hollywood glamour) that I wanted to document it.
Firstly for my own family and relatives’ future generations, as well as for other readers around the world to enjoy.
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Support for the project
My family and friends were all very excited for me to finally write Mitan and Moni.
Certainly it was a period that all of us knew about but most of us didn’t know many of the details of the sisters’ experiences in California.
So this was a great opportunity for me, as well as my relatives, to learn more.
Writing Mitan and Moni
Getting started over many years
I began the Mitan and Moni book-writing process 12 years ago when I sat down with my mom one summer afternoon at her house in Sweden and interviewed her for hours about her years in California.
Also I collected and scanned all of her images from that time period and created a first version of the book.
However, having twins did not leave a lot of extra time for book writing.
So I put the project to the side and hoped that one day when my kids were older I would find time to focus on it again.
In addition, it was very important to me to be able to interview my aunt about her experiences during this time in the late 1960s.
But as she lived in the US, finding such an opportunity was not that easy.
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Dealing with difficulties and reaping rewards
The hardest part was finding images, from a time long before the internet, of the celebrities featured in the book wearing Mitan and Moni’s crochet designs.
Once I did locate an image that I wanted to use in Mitan and Moni, finding the original source of that image, to be able to license it properly for use in the book, was sometimes quite a challenge.
However, the biggest reward has been the bonding experience I’ve shared with my mom and aunt during this project.
Without doubt it was a joy to spend time with them while researching this book and to hear all of their stories from long ago.
Indeed I feel so honoured and grateful to have been trusted with the task of sharing their story with the world.
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Reflecting on Mitan and Moni
Highlights from the memoir
My favourite part of Mitan and Moni was when my mom, age 17, entered a Swedish women’s magazine competition to have a dream fulfilled.
She wanted to meet Sammy Davis Jr. but didn’t win.
But only three years later she was able to realize her dream of meeting him and even ended up making clothes for him!
In short, Mom manifested her vision and that has always been an almost unbelievable and very inspiring part of her past.
Most importantly this has helped me feel that if you can dream it, you can achieve it.
Advice for life-story creators
Firstly set aside time and a quiet place where you can focus on the writing undisturbed.
Second, assume that most things will take longer than you expect them to (in my case, the search for images).
Finally, ask for help from family and friends who have skills that might be of benefit to you.
For example, proofreading, design or marketing.
In particular if you don’t have the budget to pay for outside assistance.
Final say
Mitan and Moni: The true story of two talented, young Swedish women who dared to dream of fashion success in Hollywood by Jenny Levallius will inspire and entertain.
It is a tale for all ages that shows how taking a big chance can pay off beyond your wildest expectations.
So get an English or Swedish copy today from Amazon, Apple Books and Kobo or in good bookstores.
Also visit Levallius’s website for extra details about the biography and her plans for a second book about women who have reinvented themselves.
Happy writing!
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