Amy Smilovic is looking forward to immersing herself in the resort season, or as she describes it, “nerd out.”
“This is the time of year where we really, really double down hard on who we are as a brand,” she elaborated at Tibi’s downtown showroom. Indeed, Smilovic explored new dimensions of the brand’s philosophy. Her approach to sophisticated yet simple fashion—infused with humor—featured items like a flannel anorak with a pocket-concealed modular belt, a weatherproof trench coat with versatile belt loops for varied styling, and vibrant nylon peplums that resemble windbreaker hems, showcased over basic tees and maxi-skirts.
Smilovic is open to drawing inspiration from unexpected sources. Although she is considered an expert on color, this season’s color palette of rich brown, emerald green, and acidic chartreuse was inspired by a Tibi customer who recommended the work of American modernist painter Milton Avery. “She said, ‘I was at a museum, and I saw this artist, and I felt like you would love these colors,’” Smilovic recounted. “I went down a rabbit hole, and she was right. I love the colors.”
A factory error also contributed to Tibi’s latest creative footwear—an ultra-wide triangular peep-toe. “I get so mad when you’re working with factories or designers who hide mistakes because so often it’s always worth seeing,” she remarked. “It’s nice and gross. It’s unsettling.”
This almost paradoxical so-wrong-it’s-right sensation extends to the clothing line as well. “If we do a print, it really needs to be a little icky, a little textural,” Smilovic noted, pointing to a tracksuit in burgundy floral silk jacquard. Additionally, a belt with three large gold buckles adds immediate interest to even the simplest ensemble. This period of transition allows Smilovic to delve into “more of the why behind the clothing rather than just what,” she expressed, emphasizing, “and certainly not what trends.” Never the trends.
