At the beginning of the pandemic, Simon Miller chief executive officer and creative director Chelsea Hansford transported her brand from an office space in downtown Los Angeles to a mid-century home in Studio City (where they also launched the “CaSa” home collection). Spring marked the brand’s first market in their new space. (The home’s backyard was also transformed into a tropical oasis for their look book backdrop.)
For spring, Hansford’s recent travels influenced the collection in palette, texture and overall tropical feel throughout ready-to-wear and accessories (handbags, footwear, jewelry).
The look: A colorful assortment of easy ready-to-wear and accessories for everyday wear, with an optimistic, escapist feel.
Quote of note: “The collection is called “1-800-Fruit-Club.” It was really inspired by the last year of these warm, tropical travels I’d been doing. In Jalisco, Mexico, where the colors are so bright — contrast, color blocking, vibrant; Panama, where I got a lot of inspiration for the raffia series, and Jamaica, where I was so inspired by how artisanal that culture is — all of the hand-painted signs, architecture and fruit stands. I was inspired by blend of all three cultures.”
Key pieces: Debut printed swimwear (a singular classic bikini and chic maillot style); stretch dresses, skirts and tanks with geometric cutouts and layers (in both rib and fine rib fabrications); matching sets with artisanal, chunky beads, in allover prints (a fruit stand print was extra adorable) or rendered in colorful crochet; a cropped, ribbed logo tank.
In accessories: colorful, rubberized bucket-shaped bags, convertible grained leather fanny packs and raffia covered bags (in both small and oversize shapes); fruit-shaped charms and jewelry. New renditions of the brand’s cult-favorite Bubble Clog (new clogs with polka dots or in allover raffia, as well as an evolution into open-toe) and new platform sandals (in foam or with tubular layered leather straps), thong kitten heels and lucite wedges.
The takeaway: Handsford’s rtw offers just the right amount of comfort, fun and sexiness while her robust assortment of playful and cool accessories continually steal the show.