Milly’s NYFW Show…..Illumination Steps It Up for Designer, Michelle Smith

Michelle Smith’s, Milly Collection was one of NYFW’s runway shows that I was determined to see, and stayed over an extra day of my shortened trip to do it. You see, I had interviewed her and had such a great visit with her when she was here for Neiman Marcus’ special event for Dress for Success (click here to learn more about Michelle) and reported on  it late last Fall, that I was intrigued to see what her new season was to offer.

Her collection, titled Illumination, drew its inspiration from the beauty of urban landscapes at night. What this translates to was a collection grounded in charcoal and metallic blacks, offset with Michelle’s photo realistic prints and lots of shimmer and shine. Add to that innovative fabric choices in unique combinations, a technique I had seen in her styles shown here before.  All of this made for a very sophisticated and high voltage collection.

Highlights which you will see below, include mixtures of embossed leather, metallic fringe, lurex shag, bold pattern mixing and lots of glistening fabrics, which led up to her use of holograms in both her sportswear pieces and accessories. The trick to making this wearable for most was her use of oversized bonded wool coats in black and charcoal as toppers to many of these bold looks.

Her client following includes Beyonce, Kate Middleton, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Mila Kunis to name a few.  There on Show Day to show their support for Michelle, were her front row celebs……

To see more of her collection, her expanded categories, including accessories and children’s, location of her store on Madison, visit her site, millyny.com.

photos courtesy of Greg Kessler and David Alloca.