Michelle Smith Launches Namesake Label
FROM AN EARLY AGE, MICHELLE SMITH KNEW FASHION DESIGN WAS HER CALLING. IN HER EARLY 20S, HER TALENT AND DRIVE LED HER TO PARIS, WHERE SHE HONED HER SKILLS AT SOME OF THE MOST ESTEEMED LUXURY COUTURE HOUSES, INCLUDING HERMÈS, LOUIS-VUITTON AND CHRISTIAN DIOR HAUTE-COUTURE.
IN 2001, MICHELLE LAUNCHED HER OWN CONTEMPORARY BRAND, WHICH WAS BORN FROM SMITH’S DESIRE TO CREATE HIGH QUALITY DESIGNS AT A MORE ATTAINABLE PRICE POINT. HER BRAND QUICKLY BECAME A POWER HOUSE, AND SHE WAS EVENTUALLY DESIGNING OVER 28 COLLECTIONS A YEAR.
AFTER YEARS OF DESIGNING AND RUNNING A BUSINESS AT A FRENETIC PACE, SMITH HIT THE STOP BUTTON- SHE DECIDED TO HOP OFF THE FASHION HAMSTER WHEEL. SHE TOOK A FEW MONTHS TO PAUSE, REFLECT, REFRESH, AND CONTEMPLATE HER NEXT STEPS. SHE BECAME INSPIRED TO LAUNCH A BRAND NEW COLLECTION, ON HER OWN TERMS AND WITH A NEW PURPOSE. SHE FOUNDED HER NAMESAKE LABEL, MICHELLE SMITH.
AS SMITH WAS EMBARKING ON HER NEW CHAPTER, THE WORLD CHANGED AND SO DID HER VISION FOR HER FIRST COLLECTION. THIS DRASTIC CHANGE AND UNCERTAINTY HAD SMITH CRAVING SOFTNESS AND COMFORT, WITH A BIT OF LUXURY, SOMETHING MORE REFINED, BUT RELEVANT IN THE WAY WE ARE LIVING NOW. “WE WANT TO FEEL AND SEE SOMETHING MORE LUXURIOUS ON OUR BODIES, BUT WE’VE BECOME QUITE ATTACHED TO THE COMFORT ASPECT.” WHILE EMBRACING THE NOW AND WORKING WITHIN THESE CONSTRAINTS, MICHELLE FOUND INSPIRATION. SHE SOURCED 3 SIMPLE, LUXURIOUS MATERIALS, THE SOFTEST, HIGHEST-GRADE CASHMERE, SILK CHARMEUSE, AND A LUSTROUS, RARE ITALIAN ALPACA… MICHELLE SMITH COLLECTION NO.1
SMITH VALUES QUALITY OVER QUANTITY. SHE'S IN CONTROL OF EVERY ASPECT OF THE BRAND. SHE DESIGNS WHEN INSPIRED. WHEN SHE FEELS COMPELLED, SHE WILL RELEASE THE COLLECTIONS. SHE WILL RELEASE TWO LIMITED-EDITION, NUMBERED, CAPSULE COLLECTIONS A YEAR, WITH A FEW SURPRISES SPRINKLED IN-BETWEEN. WITH EACH NEW CAPSULE, IMAGES OF THE NEW COLLECTION WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR CUSTOMERS TO PRE-ORDER AND SHE WILL ONLY PRODUCE ITEMS THAT ARE ORDERED.
“MY AESTHETIC IS MINIMAL, WITH AN ALLURING TWIST OR DETAIL. WHEN I DESIGN, I FOCUS ON WHAT I WANT TO REVEAL, BOTH PHYSICALLY AND EMOTIONALLY. I’M HONORED TO COLLABORATE WITH THE FINEST MILLS AND ARTISANS AROUND THE WORLD TO OFFER A COLLECTION CREATED WITH PASSION, WIT, INTENTION AND LOVE,”
https://www.michellesmith.nyc
