#amy smilovic

[fhuzee]

[la-situde]

Tibi RTW Runway F/W '24

[hommedessept]

Tibi

[carzenriq]

Tibi // Spring 2024 #NYFW - New York Fashion Week

[simple-pretty]

tibi resort 2023, look 1

tibi courtesy photo via voguerunway.com

[fst-critique]

Tibi Spring 2023 Ready to Wear

Since last year, those even mildly interested in the fashion scene have had their inboxes and social media feeds flooded with the news that “Y2K” is “back” in fashion. Maybe it started with Nicola Brognano’s praised revival of Bluemarine, or it could have been influenced by Miu Miu’s now iconic mini skirt that was as present at fashion weeks as is Anna Wintour. Either way, there is certainly a widely held belief that 2000s-core, if you will, is back in fashion. Though not widely considered as an important part of the Y2K trend cycle, there is one woman and brand whose attachment to the decade is perhaps just as if not more important than any DIY crop top and bedazzled jeans. Amy Smilovic and her New York-based line Tibi began on the cusp of the new millennium and their comeback to fashion in recent years is just as strong- if not stronger- than Y2K's sudden resurgence. For Spring 2023, Smilovic relied on looseness to relay her seasonal message. A co-ed collection that marks the brand’s 25th-year anniversary, Tibi’s fluid relaxed outing was a reminder that dressing with comfort in mind need not replace class and creativity.

For Amy, playing it safe never quite felt comfortable. After a rather tumultuous start- the former ex-pat founded her label attempting to sell dresses to locals in China back in the late-1990s- the independent brand found its groove in the United States where their crafty floral dresses sold like proverbial hotcakes. However, in 2010, Tibi began a change of aesthetic that has continued to drastically influence the current state and look of what may be called the “New Tibi”. What was dainty and safe was cast aside for more of a modern look that included risk-taking and challenging what defines contemporary dress. After the decision was made to abandon the tired past, business boomed. By 2015- just five years after the turnaround efforts began- Amy and her team reported a 103% increase in sales. The strong momentum continued up until the COVID-19 pandemic. 2019 saw record sales of $59 million, though when COVID arrived in March of 2020, business began to struggle. Layoffs were imminent, wholesale account revenues dropped by 50%, and uncertainty flooded the once seemingly resilient label that survived the 2000s “.com” crash, the 9/11 tragedy, and the crippling 2008 financial crisis. Through nimbleness and courage, Tibi bounced back. Today, while not much is known about the financial state of the company, Amy Smilovic appears happy than ever. In speaking with Vogue on the inspiration for this seasons showing, the founder appears in a jubilant and inclusive mood stating, “We wanted to acknowledge that style and beauty make us feel really great. When you’re just trying to enjoy life, surrounding yourself with that is a good thing,” she continued “Life is life. It’s all there is, and you can make it great and enjoy it or not.” 25 years in business is certainly an accomplishment, though, perhaps what is more noteworthy is the resilience of the founder whose drive and leadership helped to navigate it against uncertainty and the unknown.

To start the Spring collection, a pair of baggy white-wash jeans and a transparent tank combination set the mood for the relaxed ensemble. Always effortless and cool, the Tibi woman’s greatest trait is her confidence. Lose fit was the choice word for the season. Jeans never sat too high or too tight, and jackets always incorporated a generous shoulder and sleeve. XL blouses and hoodies too echoed the call for comfort amidst “Back to the Office” policies and accompanying strict wardrobes many corporate employees are now being faced with once again. Long-sleeve jersey dresses, graphic crew-neck tee, and cropped sweaters were all stylish reminders that Amy Smilovic always designs with a real-world woman in mind. New experimental style’s saw a deconstructed trouser transformed into a draped overall, a four-buttoned polo with shoulder pads strong enough to support the elephant’s that crossed the Brooklyn Bridge, and a trouser/skirt hybrid that allows wearers to play with its duality via a neatly hidden pallete of buttons that runs along the inseam. Even with the clear Margiela references, Tibi’s consistent newness is one of the brand’s clear identifiers and assists in providing shoppers with a fresh look each passing season. Admittedly, the menswear portion of the show felt weak in contrast to the strength of its womenswear. While a common thread was apparent with the use of his and her jeans, matching graphic tees, and similar cuts of the blazers, where the Tibi woman maintains a unique finesse, her male counterpart appears to fade into her shadow. Pooling jeans, a graphic tee here and there, and slouchy suits made up the majority of what was offered on the menswear front. Look 39 was promising. A final tailored suit in a crisp burnt orange evidenced that Mrs. Smilovic’s talent for tailoring can extend to menswear if she so chooses to further explore it.

Happy 25th Tibi and congratulations on a major milestone Amy Smilovic. To mark such an event, the leading designer took to show her audience not a flashback of past collections or best-selling styles, but instead, to maintain her updated modern identity. Loose and agile- much like the Tibi label itself- were the season's descriptors. If these past 25 years were anything to judge by, it is safe to assume that the label’s future is in good hands. Here is to 25 more years of excitement, innovation, and craftsmanship.

[nexthlive]

NEXTH Season 4: The best is yet to come. [https://nexthchic.live/] [https://nexth.city/runway]

LIFESTYLE - [NexthChic] 136. Tibi | Clean, chic, minimalist, sophisticated; celebrating feminine essence.

Amy Smilovic's journey with TIBI is a remarkable story of entrepreneurship and creativity. Despite lacking formal training in design or experience in the fashion industry, she took a leap of faith and started her own brand in Hong Kong around 20 years ago. Targeting the market for women's clothing that falls between high-end luxury and mass-market brands, Smilovic turned her vision and a few rough design sketches into sample pieces.

Teaming up with another American expat, Octavia Hyland, TIBI was officially established in 1997. The initial designs, consisting of skirts and simple dresses, were produced by a local factory. Though the sales were modest, they provided Smilovic with the confidence to continue her venture, especially after Hyland's departure.

In September 2006, a significant milestone was achieved when TIBI opened its first retail store in New York City, which further solidified its presence in the fashion industry. The brand's success can be attributed to the essence of its designs, which revolve around three major themes: clean, feminine, and relaxed. These themes were integrated into each subsequent collection starting in 2014 as part of a rebranding exercise.

The "clean" aspect of TIBI's designs implies a minimalist and sophisticated aesthetic. The brand embraces simplicity and modernity, resulting in clothing that exudes a timeless appeal. The use of clean lines, subtle embellishments, and quality fabrics contributes to the brand's overall elegance.

"Feminine" elements in TIBI's collections celebrate the essence of womanhood. Smilovic's designs often feature soft silhouettes, flattering cuts, and a focus on highlighting feminine attributes. The brand's clothing empowers women to feel confident and beautiful in their own skin.

Finally, the "relaxed" theme speaks to TIBI's commitment to comfort and ease in clothing. In an era where fast-paced lifestyles are prevalent, TIBI's designs provide a sense of relaxation without compromising style or elegance. The brand manages to strike a balance between effortless chic and sophistication.

Over the years, TIBI has garnered a dedicated following, attracting women who appreciate the brand's unique blend of luxury and casualness. The success of the New York City retail store undoubtedly paved the way for further expansion and brand recognition.

Smilovic's ability to transform a few sketchy ideas into a thriving fashion brand showcases the power of determination and creativity. Her entrepreneurial spirit and vision have propelled TIBI's growth, turning it into a well-respected name in the fashion industry. The brand's journey exemplifies how passion, dedication, and a unique perspective can redefine the fashion landscape and capture the hearts of fashion-conscious consumers.

[xocontinentaldrift]

February 15, 2023

Argh, I was doing so good posting for awhile! But then life got crazy busy and I'm just now catching up.

+ Ben's party went fine; he and his little friends had so much fun at the trampoline park. We have so many extra snacks and drinks now, though, I spend way too much on food. I didn't even have much of a chance to take pictures of him or watch him play or enjoy himself -- I have, like, one picture on my camera from the party. I know the party was for him, but I was too busy setting the room up, distributing food, making chit-chat, organizing. I'm just not a party host in the least, and in truth, I didn't enjoy myself. I think next time I'm doing a party where they provide all the food and drink, so at least that's taken care of. I want to enjoy my child's childhood, too! But -- I'm glad he had fun.

+ The next day was Monday and I did the bare minimum of work and then went to Target. I treated myself to a sheet mask, a little fragrance sampler kit and a few other things. My reward for getting through the goddamn party!

+ Valentine's Day was a disappointment. I was looking forward to having brunch with Jon, but Jon got sick and all I did was work like crazy and then pick Ben up, make dinner, and mom the shit out of the evening. It was gray and gloomy. The only really good thing was being able to take a nice long walk in the morning after dropping Ben off at the bus stop and making sure he got on. I did wear my Natural Life burgundy floral long skirt, which felt very nice.

+ Today was just about working and then running to Walmart to get some groceries, since Jon couldn't do the grocery run because he's sick. Sigh. But I liked my outfit today! I wore my Acne v-neck cashmere sweater as a skirt over leggings (a styling trick I picked up from Amy Smilovic's Instagram) with a scoopneck gray t-shirt and my oversized Isabel Marant blazer. I felt very cool and sophisticated, like connected to my former downtown girl self. I miss that woman, she had fun and had such an interesting life!

+ I am really enjoying my style explorations lately, they really do help me connect to myself and what I want to express or bring out in myself. I really would like to get The Creative Pragmatist book eventually, and I'm enjoying the Style Key system more and more.

+ I've figured out my style keywords in the Style Key system are: ease, intrigue, sensual, approachable and sometimes elemental or delicate. My archetype is Spicy Girl Next Door, but I also play with Cool Girl, and to a lesser extent, Wildflower and Seductress. These translate into concepts of downtown, girl-next-door and undone, and into a "style statement" of Sophisticated Natural, or Sophisticated Wholesome, or even Spicy Girl Next Door. In terms of aesthetic categories, these map out to casual, mixed with some combination of bohemian, edgy, romantic or classic.

[universomovie]

TIBI | Fall Winter 2022/2023 | Full Show

TIBI | Fall Winter 2022/2023 | Full Show

TIBI | Fall Winter 2022/2023 by Amy Smilovic | Full Fashion Show in High Definition. (Widescreen – Exclusive Video/1080p – New York Fashion Week) #TIBI #FW22 #NYFW

[glamdiva52]

Check out this listing I just found on Poshmark: Tibi Open Back Cable Knit Roll Neck Turtleneck Longline Relaxed Backless Sweater.

[fhuzee]

Amy my style heroine

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Joaquim Arnell @ Tibi Prêt-à-Porter Fall 2019

[hommedessept]

[carzenriq]

Tibi  / Fall 2023 #NYFW - New York Fashion Week

[simple-pretty]

tibi spring 2023 | looks (from top) 6 and 41

daniele oberrauch/gorunway.com photos via voguerunway.com

[thesaintlaurent]