Tibi Sneak Peek -- Talking with Tibi designer Amy Smilovic plus Fall 2010 Inspiration

Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week is right around the corner & we all are counting down the days. We just couldn't wait to talk to Tibi designer, Amy Smilovic on what to expect this season and to get a sneak peek at the Fall 2010 Inspiration. After all, Amy is one of our favorite designers.

Fall 2010 Inspiration

Napoleon and Josephine. Tibi’s Fall 10 collection is about the appeal of opposites – masculine meets feminine, draping paired with structure, and neutrals with high contrast brights. The color palette is inspired by the photographs of Peter Beard. Gelatin prints, where slippery colors merge, intertwine and appear cracked and crumbled with imagery of animal skins and wildlife. Deep ink, terra cotta, burgundy, and every shade of sand mix with bold pinks and electric turquoises.

Cupcake Mag: What can we expect from the Fall 2010 Collection?

Amy: The fall 2010 collection is such a great collaboration of colors. Bold, contrasting neon jewel tones pops from rich swirls of soft neutral notes and the contradiction of flowing delicate fabric and bold embellishments, feminine draping and masculine structure is so what I want to wear right now.

Cupcake Mag: Biggest trends for Fall 2010?

Amy: For Tibi, Fall is all about contrast – Rich colors and bold embellishments, hard lines paired with draping sweeps of fabric and a ton of attitude in a very feminine way.

Cupcake Mag: We have chatted a few times and we always forget to ask - Where did the name Tibi come from?

Amy: Tibi was my original partner’s grandmother’s name. She and I started the company together but she left after a year to pursue other opportunities. I always loved the name and the ring of it, so I kept it.

Cupcake Mag: What are 3 of your "fashion essentials" and must- haves in your closet?

Amy: A fabulously structured tweed coat paired with a gorgeous, flowing, jewel-toned, ruffled top in silk and super chic army green suede skinny trousers with deep pleats is the perfect combination of strong and soft.

Cupcake Mag: Right now, if you could wear one designer's clothes who would it be & why?

Amy: That would definitely be Proenza Schouler I love their bags and shoes right now!

Cupcake Mag: What advice do you have for those pursuing their dream in the fashion industry?

Amy: For those interested in a design career or any creative field, just take anything that inspires you and turn it into something tangible, something sell-able. Don’t try and be anything you’re not, it’ll never work. I didn’t think I would ever own such a successful and profitable company so if I can do it, anyone can! Don’t let those fears get in the way.

Cupcake Mag: Any exciting plans for the future?

Amy: Right now I am in the office processing my inspiration to turn it into my next line and enjoying my time at home with my husband and two wonderful sons!

Stay tuned for our upcoming coverage of the Fall 2010 Collection from Bryant Park in February! In the meantime, visit the TIBI website here.

MBFWNY --- Whitney Port mixes prints, gives us office-chic & gets us ready for SPRING 2010

Text, Dwayne Knight

The darling fashionista from MTV’s “The City” showed us just how talented and focused she is on her true passion as she made her Mercedes Benz Fashion Week debut in New York on September 10th showing the “Whitney Eve” Spring/Summer 2010 collection.

The Promenade was jammed packed with excited attendees. Among those in the front row were R & B songstress Amerie, singer/song writer Tina Parol, and fellow “The City” cast mates Olivia Palermo and Erin Kaplan. Kelly Cutrone of both “The City” and power house of People’s Revolution was working behind the scenes supporting Port by making sure the show was orchestrated with perfection in true Cutrone form.

From the beginning, we could tell this was going to be a collection of youthful beauty. Port brought us an array of fabrics and textures. The color pallet ranged from metallic’s (the hot trend of the season) to neutrals to vibrant pinks, blues, greens, and yellows. Our mouths dropped as we watched the delectable dresses, suits, shorts, jumpsuits, vests, and blouses. One of our favorite items was the strapless rainbow dress with bow belt, which can be described as Park Avenue meets sunny California and the re-creating of the pant/short suit – making it very office chic. Getting us right in the mood for spring was the sequence ruffle dress which defined flirty and light as it was presented beautifully in a purple, orange, and slate blue pattern. The lace inset of the v-neck was the perfect accent to compliment the look.

The Whitney Eve collection brightened our day and has us seriously looking forward to the spring season. It may have been raining outside the tents at Bryant Park, but it was a blissful warm day inside with Whitney Port.

Photos by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images North America