Interviewing Amy Smilovic of Tibi

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I have to confess that as I typed the title of this post just now, I couldn’t help but smile! My favorite designer! Sat down with me! To chat about fashion! And food! And art! And St. Simons! Can you tell today is probably going to be one of my favorite posts ever? (If you’re new here, allow me to catch you up. Amy is from St. Simons Island, GA, the place I got married and frequently vacation, and she also happens to be my favorite designer. I’ve worn Tibi for years, but never met Amy, so this we particularly exciting!) Normally when I interview a designer, I kind of go through the normal questions (What was your inspiration for this collection? How did you get started? etc.). But I could tell right away that Amy was so open and honest that I felt comfortable asking her all the other things I really wanted to know. Like where does she eat when she’s home at St. Simons?? What bloggers catch her eye in Tibi?! Thank you to Neiman Marcus Atlanta for having this wonderful event and inviting me to cover it here on the blog. Read on for all the scoop!!

What: Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Charity Lunch Event featuring Amy Smilovic, designer and founder of Tibi

Where: Neiman Marcus Atlanta, Lenox Square Mall

When: Tuesday November 10, 2015

Why: To raise money for CHOA & see the new Tibi collection, as presented by Amy herself. 

luncheon

neiman marcus tibi event

lunch at neimans

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Me:  How does your design process work? Your pieces go so well from season to season – how do you do that?

Amy: Well I think it’s because we really do have a very relaxed approach to design. I have trend companies call all the time like “do you want to know the trends?.” I say absolutely no. I do not. Because to me, the way I design is I’m constantly out in the market, or in Paris or wherever, and I know when something feels new and fresh. And it usually feels new and fresh because I don’t have it in my closet, but it’s interesting to me.  And so if something is interesting, and I don’t have it in my closet, then I know that that’s what a woman is going to start to crave next. Whether it’s going from full skirts and the midi skirts, and culottes, you know it’s figuring out what you’re craving for the next new thing. And so we really go after it in a very intuitive way.  There’s no textbook story on it.  It stinks if you can’t find it, because you can’t just make it up. You’ve got to really be feeling for the new thing.

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Me: I feel like anytime I wear Tibi, I get so many compliments and people do a double take. People want to touch it or feel it, and that is what makes you have the extra edge!

Amy: Yeah, I think one of the things people are drawn to is, Tibi really should look like more of a luxury brand. And you look at it because you know that it’s made well, and it’s not something someone picked up at H&M or Topshop. I think people, even if they don’t realize they appreciate it, they appreciate it.

tablescape

Me: Speaking of the next new thing, what do you think is the next new thing?

Amy: Well I think that the next new thing for us that I feel for, is I think there has been a lot of this “normcore” out there, and I know just for myself, I’m looking for something to shake it up a bit in the closet, but do it in a way that’s within my comfort zone. I know that’s what led us to even doing the fur shoes, was because this [outfit] with just a loafer might just be a little too… norm. Normcore was great when it was ironic, but once everyone starts wearing it there’s no irony to it anymore. I think that for me, it’s about making myself feel different and modern but doing it within the constrains of what I love: luxury fabrics and clean and a minimalist look. So it might mean pushing out body shapes, and enlarging things that maybe shouldn’t be necessarily longer – it might be like doing extra long cuffs on shirts. Or finding a way that it can be tied or knotted so that if you’re not ready to go there you don’t have to go there.

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Me: As a fashion blogger, I’m dying to know what bloggers really catch your eye who wear Tibi? For instance who was the blogger you were referencing in the fashion show just now that styled the off-shoulder shirt over a button-up?

Amy: I think that was Pernille. Do you know her? She’s from Coppenhagen. If you google her her pictures are all over street style. I can’t say any one blogger because they all wear it so differently. I never know how Leandra will wear something, and how Miroslava does it and Anya Ziourova … people do it all differently. That’s what I love seeing – all the different interpretations. We talk about bloggers a lot when we design more in terms of who we could see wearing it. If it’s something that Pernille, and Miroslava and Leandra – if you can get the crazy girl, and the classic girl, and the minimalist to all wear it – then we try to design where those roads all meet.

quote2Me: One blogger, Atlantic-Pacific, she wears your red midi skirt about every season – I do too I’ve worn it on July 4th, during the holidays … every season!

Amy: And it’s so nice because bloggers keep it alive! They give you permission to not retire things right away. You really can keep things around for much longer. Just when I think I’m sick of something, I will pull up Blaire Eadie wearing it and I’m like “Oh! I didn’t think about wearing it that way!”

Me: Yea! She’ll wear it years later, and I’m like I’m going to go pull that out of my closet right now!

Amy: Exactly!

neiman marcus lunch

Me: Ok, favorite restaurant on St. Simons?

Amy: …. {thinking} .. Oh! Southern Soul.

Me: Really! My husband is obsessed with that place. We have to go twice every time we’re down there now.

Amy: It’s sooo good! Love it.

Me: Ok, last question! What is your best piece of fashion advice for a girl in the fashion industry? I’m going to put this on my instagram.

Amy: Oh… dress for yourself – wear what you love. I mean honestly, even if I absolutely hate it, if you loved it, I’m like good. Nothing makes me crazier than hearing women shopping with their girlfriends, parents, husbands or boyfriend and taking all that direction – it kills me. Wear what you love. Life is short! Dress the way you want to.

QuoteMe: I love it. My new mantra. Thank you so much, this was such a treat!

Amy: So nice to meet you! Maybe I’ll run into you sometime on St. Simons.

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And there you have it folks. 9 minutes of candid chat with my favorite designer. Of course, since this interview last week I have thought of about 10 more questions I should have asked, and I also can’t believe I forgot to ask for a photo together! Next time. PS – One of my favorite pieces from the collection was this feather top.

Thank you for stopping by today! I am launching my holiday guides this week so STAY TUNED!! YAY! As you’ll notice, there is a new “Christmas” tab at the top if you want to start shopping! I’m adding lots of great gift ideas there all the time! xo

Hi friends! I'm a Georgia based wife & mom. I started blogging in 2009 (!) and have covered a range of topics over the years, but in 2021 I am placing an emphasis on finding the good things to celebrate. In 2020 I think we have all learned to cherish time with family, enjoy the little things, and celebrate occasions big or small. I'll share special pieces I find that I believe can punctuate these days for the best. Reach out to me at tiffany@bloomstudiocreative.com if you'd like to get in touch! Thanks for stopping by! Take your shoes off and stay a while.

Leave a Comment

3 Comments

  1. 11.18.15
    Becky said:

    This is amazing! Great questions and she seems like a total bad ass.
    -Becky
    The Pumpkin Spot

    • 11.23.15
      Tiffany said:

      Thank you! Yes, she was so awesome! Loved finally chatting with her! Thank you for reading!! xo

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