The GRACE Review

TIBI SPRING 2027

It sounds, on paper, like an unlikely starting point for Tibi. Dolly's rhinestones and high-octane glamour sit some distance from the relaxed tailoring and pragmatic wardrobing for which the New York brand is known. But that, perhaps, was precisely the point. Rather than borrowing a persona, Smilovic took the confidence behind it — the freedom of knowing what works for you and wearing it without apology — and filtered it through the Tibi lens.

The result felt fresh and genuinely inspiring, while remaining unmistakably Tibi. The Southern references were there, but nothing felt costume-y. Western yokes, checks, ties, double-buckled belts and flashes of embellishment brought character to otherwise familiar silhouettes; beading and long tassels added texture and movement without tipping into excess. 

What stood out most to us, though, was the overall chicness of the collection. Tibi's intelligent use of colour was particularly strong: navy, black and cream provided the foundation, interrupted by mossy greens, burgundy and unexpected combinations that made otherwise restrained looks feel entirely new. The silhouettes had that characteristic Tibi tension too — oversized against narrow, masculine against feminine, something polished offset by something deliberately undone. Looking across the 44 looks, relaxed tailoring, slouchy denim, shirting and fluid evening pieces continually played against one another rather than settling into a single idea. 

There were also lovely moments of history. A scarf skirt printed with Smilovic's own drawings of Nashville referenced the printed skirts that helped launch Tibi almost 30 years ago — a particularly fitting inclusion as the brand approaches its anniversary in 2027. But importantly, this wasn't a retrospective. The collection looked forward.

And this is ultimately where Tibi continues to resonate so strongly with us at GRACE. Its clothes have a point of view, but they don't demand that the woman wearing them surrender hers.

You look at these pieces and can immediately imagine living your life in them: getting on a plane, going to an event, having lunch, heading into the office, running around on a weekend. They are interesting enough to change the way you get dressed, yet pragmatic enough to actually be worn.

Perhaps that's the real lesson in Smilovic's “confident outliers”. Great personal style isn't about looking different for the sake of it. It's about knowing yourself well enough to recognise what feels right — and being entirely comfortable wearing it.

Thirty years in, Tibi seems more certain of that than ever.