Tibi Fall 2012

When & where: Saturday, February 11 at 6 p.m., the Stage, Lincoln Center

Runway recap: Once upon a time, Tibi was a fledgling contemporary label known for colorful prints and perfectly fun party dresses. My closet is stocked with them. But last season, designer Amy Smilovic started to shift away from those signature elements and into a more tailored, polished direction. It was a bit jarring, and maybe I was hoping (a little bit) to see a return to the lighthearted looks of yesteryear, but with this season's menswear-focused, minimalist collection, I think the new, more mature Tibi is here to stay. And, you know, I am okay with that. She sent some of the best-looking pants I've seen so far this week down the runway—slim, sleek, cropped—and wove in a futuristic bent by pairing nubby-knit sweaters with liquid leather skirts. In case you were wondering, there was one print, a Hitchcock-eque bird one, and even if it's all the print we get, I'll be happy; it's important to remember where you came from, even as a designer. But at some point, everyone has to grow up—even the Tibi customer.
Bonus points: A popular guest on Terry Richardson's blog, I was excited to see pillow-lipped model Lindsey Wixon in person, on the runway. Let's just say I can see why Terry is so enamored with her...assets.
Where to buy: Click here for store locations.

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