NYFW: Milly by Michelle Smith Fall 2012 is Future Perfect

Pictured: Michelle Smith in Milly at the closing of her show.  (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)

Designer Michelle Smith showed off her Milly Fall 2012 collection at Lincoln Center, affirming for her that fall is not a somber season, but rather one that pops with vibrant colors. The collection was entitled “Future Perfect” and it lived up to its name.  The color pallet for Milly 2012 included brilliant cobalt blues, bright fuchsia and kelly greens.  More familiar seasonal colors like white winter, mustard, rust and black were also featured along with the designer’s trademark prints.

Pictured: Milly’s trademark prints were evident on skirts and tops (image M. Hall via livestream)

Before the show, the designer indicated that her Fall 2012 collection would be bold.  “My Fall 2012 collection is bold and modern: innovative technical fabrics merge with traditional couture techniques, and vibrant pops of color excite a base palette of black and white,” notes Michelle Smith, Designer and Creative Director, Milly. The pops of color did indeed excite, especially the stunning fuchsia dresses, one with black lace overlay. More traditional styles included black dresses with full skirts in coordinating textured patterns.

Pictured: Milly reinvents the little black dress with a textured patterned skirt.  (Photo: Mike Coppola/Getty Images)

There were many nods to Milly’s time in Paris working with design house Hermès including French berets and charming chapeaus with veils, some with bows on them.  Look for this collection at upscale retailers this fall. Later, look for Milly on sale at Gilt Groupe and in department stores.  I always post Milly sales here on The Recessionista because I think her designs provide some of the best value in fashion. I’ve heard from some of you that you spent several hundred dollars on Jason Wu for Target, then ended up returning your purchase due to fit and quality issues.  Next time perhaps, perhaps consider purchasing a Milly dress.  The fabric, manufacturing and design will be of higher quality and it will last longer than one season.  I love my Milly Addison dress purchased on sale at Bloomingdale’s.