Part of Tibi’s magic is the way the line is chic and accessible at the same time. Not all designers can get away being featured at Net-A-Porter and ShopBop at the same time, but this makes perfect sense for this line as so many looks walk the line between higher fashion and street wear. In the age of Forever 21 and H&M, Tibi’s designs have certainly been a target in the past for their particular brand of “inspiration.” Smilovic may be actively working to prevent their people from borrowing her ideas- skirts and pants featured complicated gathering and pleating that would be almost impossible for those manufacturers to duplicate cheaply and well.
The looks in this line were cohesive, though unfortunately not all felt fresh. Two baby doll dresses – a wine-colored one in creased taffeta and another in black sparkles – felt played out and recycled. After nearly a full week of seeing show after show highlight the beauty of a good fox fur, Tibi’s additions felt obligitory, not inspired. Too bad, because perhaps things would look different had she showed earlier in the week.
