Tibi’s upcoming summer collection is a delightful surprise, a vibrant tapestry woven from unexpected threads of inspiration. Creative Director Amy Smilovic and her team have masterfully blended seemingly disparate elements to craft a line that’s both strikingly unique and undeniably wearable. The unlikely muse? The 1970s animated television show, *Fat Albert*.
“I know it’s a weird reference,” Smilovic admitted during a recent interview, “but that was the color inspiration.” This unexpected starting point sets the tone for a collection that playfully subverts expectations. The opening look, a stunning reimagining of the *Fat Albert* character Dumb Donald, transforms his iconic green sweater into a minimalist slip dress. The oversized beanie finds new life as a luxuriously felted, oversized baseball cap, expertly crafted by Tibi’s artist-in-residence, Rae Godin.
The collection’s playful reinterpretations continue. The dusty purple-greige suit subtly nods to the wardrobe of Rudy Davis, another *Fat Albert* character, while Mushmouth’s signature red pants, famously held up by a single string, are reborn as a chic pair of crinkly pink trousers. These are stylishly accessorized with western belts and eye-catching gold and silver chain belts featuring a unique lobster motif closure. The collection also showcases a striking blue and brown striped terry cloth shorts set, paired with a crisp white tech-lab coat. This ensemble perfectly embodies Smilovic’s vision: “that ease and femininity you crave in June and July, but with a sporty attitude.”
However, the collection isn’t entirely cartoon-inspired. Several pieces retain a sophisticated elegance, demonstrating a masterful balance between playfulness and refinement. Sleek, long black spaghetti strap dresses with high square necks are crafted from a surprisingly high-tech fabric, yet subtly adorned with un-techy flocked polka dots. Others showcase soft, triangular sculptural details that create a unique whisk-like shape, offering a fresh take on the current balloon-silhouette trend. Smilovic’s thoughtful approach to design is evident in her focus on creating “sculpture that is still soft.” She emphasizes the importance of avoiding clichés, explaining, “I think that when we are craving things that have a little bit more femininity, exploring various ways of creating sculpture that is still soft is more important, because it is so easy to fall into tropes and then you don’t feel like yourself. We give ourselves lots of room to experiment and play.” This commitment to experimentation and creative freedom shines through in every piece of this innovative and captivating collection.
