MILLY Designer, Michelle Smith, Selects Her Spring 2013 Essentials

April 18, 2013

You know I’m a sucker for cool New York labels, and this season I can’t get enough of MILLY. The Spring/Summer 2013 collection is feminine, flirty and has a graceful, timeless edge. So it’s no surprise Kate Middleton and Gwyneth Paltrow are both big fans of the brand. MILLY Designer and founder, Michelle Smith, took time out of her busy schedule to share her spring essentials with Coco’s Tea Party. See her selection below, from the must-read book to the hot SS13 handbag:

Milly Michelle Smith

1. Nemesis by Philip Roth. “I’m currently alternating between reading Nemesis by Philip Roth and Diana Vreeland: Empress of Fashion by Amanda Mackenzie Stewart,” Michelle reveals. “I only get through a few pages before I conk out fast asleep, so I’ve been milking these for a while!”

2. MILLY lace coat. “I think every MILLY employee bought one of these luxurious Italian magnolia lace coats. It will elevates your outfit as soon as you put it on. Trust me – you need this in your closet. Perfect for when the weather is beautiful but you still want something over your shoulders.”

3. MILLY kaleidoscope trousers. “This from-the-runway print is really fun. Don’t expect to walk around in these without turning some heads…”

4. MILLY mirrored pencil skirt. “My Mirrored Python Pencil Skirt is one of my personal faves this season,” Michelle says. “I get compliments every time I wear it, and it looks good even with a simple tee. The material is luxe and one-of-a-kind – definitely a season standout.”

5. Chanel eyeshadow palette. Michelle keeps her makeup routine simple. “Moisturiser on a clean face, mascara, smear a little eye makeup from Chanel’s Smokey Eye palette and I’m good to go!”

6. MILLY ‘Reece’ tote. “This is the bag every girl in our office wants. It’s modern, sleek and graceful, and the colour complements every outfit.”

Shop for the MILLY Spring/Summer 2013 online at Net-A-Porter, My-Wardrobe, Shopbop and MillyNY.com.

Shopping For: Fluro Lace Inspired by Simone Rocha

January 30, 2013

fluro lace spring 2013 topshop milly kg simone rocha

London Fashion Week is always the best place to discover exciting new design talent, and at the Spring/Summer 2013 shows everyone was raving about Simone Rocha. The Central Saint Martins graduate presented her fifth collection, which was a mix of achingly cool separates, pretty crochet dresses and busts of fluro lace. Simone’s influence can be felt up and down the high street, this season, and I doubt it will be long before you’re dressing in fluro lace-y numbers.

I’m loving Milly’s bright pink lace blouse, which would look great worn with a chic pencil skirt or casual jeans, and I’ll also make a trip to Topshop to stock up on their highlighter-bright mini skirts…

Shop the Edit: 1. Milly pink lace blouse // 2. Topshop lime lace dress // 3. Thierry Lasry lace print sunglasses // 4. Hanky Panky fluro lace thongs // 5. Topshop orange mini skirt // 6. KG printed fluro heels // 7. MSGM lace peplum top

Rachel Zoe, Meryl Streep and Diane von Furstenberg Design Christmas Ornaments

November 5, 2012
Christopher Radko ornaments by Meryl Streep, Diane von Furstenberg and Kelly Ripa
When I was in New York, two weeks ago, I visited the Bloomingdale’s Christmas department. I love the build up to the holiday season, and couldn’t resist getting into the festive spirit early. Beyond my obvious amazement at the cute chocolate selections, I was excited to discover a Christmas ornament designed by Rachel Zoe. The black sequin bauble is totally Rachel, and there are more, designed by Diane von Furstenberg, Meryl Streep, Cyndi Lauper, Milly, Kelly Ripa, Kellan Lutz (why?!) and Brooklyn Decker.
Proceeds from the Christoper Radko 2012 celebrity ornaments go to the Child Mind Institute, and – while I hadn’t come across the project before – it clearly happens annually, as last year Kim Kardashian had a glittery pink bauble. I think it’s such a fun idea. I wish we had something similar at Harrods or Selfridges!
Christopher Radko ornaments by Rachel Zoe, Cyndi Lauper and Milly

You can purchase the Christopher Radko 2012 ornaments at Bloomingdale’s for $40. It’s hard to chose a favourite, but I think I like Meryl Streep and Kelly Ripa’s designs the best.

Are you already getting excited for Christmas? Which celebrity Christmas ornaments do you like best?

Images Bloomingdale’s

Six Of The Best Bright Spring 2012 Designer Handbags

March 5, 2012
Recently I read an interview with Mulberry’s Emma Hill who revealed the secret to selling handbags in these credit crunch-y times is to make them totally and utterly irresistible to women. Because if you’re going to part with your hard earned cash today it has to be for something extra special. And what’s more irresistible than a glossy colour-pop handbag?

I’ve picked out six of my favourite new season designer handbags. They may not come cheap but if you’re looking to splash out on a luxury handbag the selection above definitely has the wow factor. They’re all totally dreamy, right? Which is your favourite design?

My-Wardrobe S/S 11 Press Day

November 24, 2010

First of all I would like to apologise to all the lovely PR people out there who have invited me to press days this season. I’ve been so busy recently that I’ve been unable to go to any, so apologies to all. But I finally managed to escape and visit the My-Wardrobe S/S 2011 press day this morning, so I’m now in S/S mode.
If you’re into the 1970s Bianca Jagger look, consider Nicole Richie a style icon and have a taste for all things loose, luxe and pleated then you’re going to love S/S. My-Wardrobe will be having a bit of shake up in the new year, and they’re adding some great new labels and introducing a few higher-priced items.
Here is a quick rundown of some of my favourite pieces, which will all start to trickle onto the site from the start of 2011. Absolute favourites include the sequined IRO trousers, the Elizabeth and James palazzo pants, the Milly skirt and Equipment shirts. I guess it’s time to start saving those pennies…

Which pieces have caught your eye from My-Wardrobe’s selection? Have you started planning your S/S wardrobe?