Last season, Tibi founder and creative director Amy Smilovic used sporty details in garments to enhance their functionality. For the resort, Smilovic and her senior vice president of design, Traci Bui-Amar, took the concept further.
During a preview, Smilovic said his mood board included “images we love, things we love, and putting it all together.” One of those inspirations was 1920s tennis, a sport that was a big part of Smilovic's life growing up and which has seen a more recent global splash in fashion and film through “Challengers.”
“There is something that is so classic and refined, but it is a brave sport. I think that combination of real value, but it's very beautiful at the same time… that speaks volumes about what's going on in the world,” Smilovic said.
The collection certainly wasn't all sneakers, but nods to the sport could be seen through preppy blazers, varsity knitwear, and cardigans with custom Tibi crests (featuring the brand's original 1997 green elephant logo); large pleated skirts, which were actually pleated panels clipped to skinny skirts and miniskirts with carabiners, and a handful of stylish sports suits.
She continued to duplicate the quintessential Tibi DNA of functional dresses with refined indigo knit denim pants in the brand's classic shapes, like the Sid and Barrel Leg, which looked like denim sweatshirts, but much more stylish. See also: a reversible trench with those same customizable carabiners; elevated but easy-to-wear footwear, and stylish oxford shirt-style hoodies.
“I talk a lot now about not bifurcating your life,” she said of the collection, pointing to a “perfect, go-anywhere, multipurpose coat.” Color, a tool as described in Smilovic's book, “The Creative Pragmatist,” was also at play.
“If you want to feel more elegant, classic and preppy, there's that combination,” he said of the black-and-white ensembles, “but if you want to feel very relaxed and relaxed, then it's this combination,” from “Ring 3.” [no-color colors] Calming purples and oranges,” she said. “I think giving customers those tools is important.”
