It may be freezing in New York City, but Chelsea Hanford has Miami on the brain. She just opened Simon Miller’s second store there during Art Basel. It makes sense as her second brick-and-mortar after Los Angeles—after all, her customers seem to be creatives with flexible work-from-home policies.
While Simon Miller caters to warm-weather dwellers, Hansford is challenging herself to eschew her see-now, buy-now model and stretch this offering across traditionally colder holiday dressing and resort wear alike. “It’s winter, it’s holiday, it’s takeaway, it’s tropical, it’s opulence, it’s everything all at once,” she said. “The one throughline is that it’s emotional.” It’s a tricky balance, presenting an offering that fulfills such a wide breadth of occasions while also accounting for the January shopping slump. But Hansford managed to stick the landing.
Among the new offerings this season are tie-front button-up tops and dresses (sisters to the best-selling tie-back Lock Top), which come in both classic colorways and more outré high-contrast stripes. Hansford also leaned into the ’70s energy she’s channeled in seasons past with a green multi stripe set.
Hansford also took a step outside of her comfort zone. In place of oversized printed suits befitting a quirky graphic designer, she opted for a more structured shimmery silver pinstripe number that practically begs you to say, “We come to this place for magic.” Also: power clashing of the highest order, colorful stripes living alongside florals.
Simon Miller finds success when it leans into its unique offerings: wooden, fish-shaped bags; raffia-fringed sandals; and circular crochet all feel distinct to the brand. But it’s also nice to see Hansford bring her POV to everyday pieces. Pinstripes and button-ups might be business codes to some, but for Hansford, they’re an opportunity to add a little whimsy.
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