Miami Vibes in the Heart of New York City
As the chill of winter settles over New York City, Chelsea Hanford is already dreaming of Miami. Recently, she unveiled Simon Miller’s second store in the vibrant city during the renowned Art Basel event. This new store marks a significant milestone for Hanford, following the success of the brand’s first brick-and-mortar location in Los Angeles. With a customer base consisting of creatives with flexible work-from-home policies, Miami seems like the perfect choice for Simon Miller’s expansion.
While Simon Miller is known for its warm-weather styles, Hanford is pushing the boundaries by extending the brand’s offerings to cater to both cold weather holiday dressing and resort wear. “It’s winter, it’s holiday, it’s takeaway, it’s tropical, it’s opulence, it’s everything all at once,” she explains. Despite the challenges of creating a collection that caters to a wide range of occasions, Hanford manages to strike the perfect balance, ensuring that every piece evokes an emotional response from the wearer.
Among the standout pieces in the new collection are tie-front button-up tops and dresses, a spin-off from the popular tie-back Lock Top. These pieces come in a mix of classic colorways and bold high-contrast stripes, adding a playful twist to traditional silhouettes. Embracing the ’70s aesthetic that has been a recurring theme in previous collections, Hanford introduces a green multi-stripe set that exudes retro charm.
Stepping out of her comfort zone, Hanford surprises with a structured shimmery silver pinstripe suit that exudes sophistication and glamour. The collection also features bold power clashing, with colorful stripes paired with vibrant florals, creating a visually striking contrast that captures the essence of Simon Miller’s eclectic style.
While Simon Miller is known for its unique offerings such as wooden fish-shaped bags, raffia-fringed sandals, and circular crochet designs, Hanford also infuses her personal touch into everyday pieces like pinstripe suits and button-up tops. For her, these classic wardrobe staples are an opportunity to inject a sense of whimsy and playfulness into the brand’s aesthetic.
