THE design duo behind the Harry Potter and the Fantastic Beasts film series have opened a new shop in the heart of Edinburgh.
Miraphora Mina, 56, and Eduardo Lima, 60, began working together in 2001 to create the graphic universe of the films based on JK Rowling’s famous book series – crafting the entire graphic style of all the Potterverse movies.
Now, the pair have launched their latest store in the city that is said to have inspired Rowling, with their House of MinaLima shop on Cockburn Street officially opening its doors on Monday.
The pair are due to arrive in the capital this weekend for a series of meet-and-greet sessions with fans of both the Harry Potter franchise and the spin-off Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them series to celebrate their grand opening.
The new store hosts original designs and unique, signed and limited-edition items created by the duo from their repertoire of work.
For Harry Potter fans this means the possibility of getting their hands on an original design Marauders Map – made famous in the third instalment, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban – signed by the duo that helped bring it to life on the screen.
House of MinaLima also boasts a repertoire of other design pieces ranging from film to stage to book creations with half of the store dedicated to their own creations and the rest to Harry Potter items.
The pair met and began working together on the Harry Potter franchise with Eduardo joining Miraphora after studying in Brazil.
From there the pair have created a plethora of graphic, set and prop design items, creating the MinaLima brand.
House of MinaLima boasts shops across the world, with their main site based in London but other locations including Seoul, Tokyo, Osaka and New York.
Their first physical location was launched as a pop-up in 2016 for six months and saw massive success leading to further permanent locations opening.
Speaking today Miraphora said: “We’re always thinking how to tell a story, when you step over the threshold you’re stepping into our little world.”
She added, “I don’t think we would call it a Harry Potter shop” but continued, “In Edinburgh the DNA is there.”
Miraphora and Eduardo invited fans to brave the “freezing cold and wind” this weekend where they will get the chance to meet the design duo and have items signed, adding that meeting fans is “energising and inspiring”.
MinaLima have also gained a following for their illustrated versions of the Potter books themselves, having created incredibly detailed versions of three of the seven novels from the series.
These versions have gone on to be regarded as collector’s items by some fans, with the graphics and illustrations within the books helping to bring the wizarding world to life.
Earlier this year however, the pair were dropped by publishers Scholastic halfway through the series, prompting outrage from fans.
A petition has since been set up by fans calling for the pair to be reinstated and their series to continue, with over 19,000 Potterheads having signed so far.
Flip Seleen, the organiser behind the petition wrote: “Every year at Christmas, fans around the world eagerly awaited the release of the new Harry Potter edition illustrated by Studio MinaLima to add to our growing collection.
“Just like many of you, we were excited to own the entire series this way.
“However, the recent news that Studio MinaLima is no longer commissioned to illustrate the remaining books has severely disappointed us.
“These illustrated editions aren’t just books; they’re collectors’ items, treasures that bring the magic of Harry Potter to life in a wholly unique way.
“It’s not just about lovely illustrations; it’s about the love, time, and money we—as fans—have invested in these books.
“With only three out of seven books available in this unique illustrated style, our collections will remain incomplete unless action is taken.
“We understand that publishing decisions can be complex, but we also believe in the power of the fans’ voice.
“By signing this petition, we are coming together to show our support for Studio MinaLima.
“We are not merely consumers, but an active community of fans who wish to preserve the value and unity of our beloved Harry Potter collection.
“Join us in this endeavour and let’s enhance the magic of the Wizarding World. Please sign this petition to allow Studio MinaLima to continue illustrating all the Harry Potter books.”
The petition prompted a response from Scholastic who have said “they will continue with interactive Harry Potter books” but will “pass the baton to a new illustrator” for the next illustrated instalment – Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
