At first thought, Dolly Parton and the contemporary fashion brand Tibi couldn’t be more different from one another in the modern style landscape. One is universally celebrated as a glitzed-out, cinched-in icon of country music and unapologetic theatricality, while the other has spent three decades rooting its identity in that frequently used, highly practical fashion term: "wardrobing."
Yet, that striking contrast is precisely what inspired Tibi founder and creative director Amy Smilovic to pack up her studio and head down to Nashville, Tennessee—the heartland of Parton’s home state—well before the legendary musician’s unfortunate passing last month. Rather than looking strictly backward to commemorate Tibi’s monumental 30-year history in the industry, Smilovic wanted to celebrate the milestone by breaking away from convention and, as she put it backstage prior to the runway show, “getting out of our heads.”
Reflecting on the creative breakthrough that guided her collection, Smilovic pointed directly to the country music icon. She referenced Parton because, quite simply, “she doesn’t give a shit,” Smilovic said with a laugh backstage. “Dolly knew who she was. I would never want to see her in a navy suit, even though I love navy suits.”
Despite that humorous disclaimer about the country star’s unmistakable aesthetic, navy suits indeed found a prominent place on the runway, making appearances in multiple looks—three, if one counts a raw Canadian denim tuxedo styled into the lineup. With their decidedly boxy proportions, everyday practicality, and quotidian implications, these tailored pieces again read about as far away from the traditional Dolly Parton aesthetic as a garment possibly could.
However, what Smilovic truly took away from the legendary performer was not a literal blueprint for sequins and rhinestones, but rather her unwavering confidence in being precisely who she was. When viewing those tailored, utilitarian looks through that philosophical lens, the gap between the utilitarian navy suit and Parton’s flamboyant narrative suddenly narrows. After all, there is an inherent, unpretentious honesty in a well-cut navy suit—a garment that, much like Parton herself, makes no apologies for its straightforward nature.
Of course, audiences didn’t have to look too hard to find more literal, clear traces of Parton scattered throughout the collection. The runway featured grommet-studded Western yokes, classic gingham shirts, and even a playful pencil skirt covered in tiered, beaded tassels that likely would have caught the icon’s eye. These shimmering, tactile bursts of flash livened up an otherwise muted and restrained color palette, though they occasionally left observers with the lingering sense that Smilovic never quite managed to get completely out of her head as much as she initially intended.
Among the standout pieces was a hand-sketched silk print that served as a fun, if slightly out-of-place, addition to the assortment. Featuring whimsical motifs of irises—which happen to be Tennessee’s official state flower—alongside vintage automobiles, guitar players, and classic cowboy boots, the print told a personal story. “It’s a bit of an homage to what really kicked off my brand when I started it in 1997,” Smilovic explained to reporters.
Reminiscing about the early days of her career, she recounted the story of how legendary fashion photographer Bill Cunningham once dedicated a full-page feature exclusively to her scarf-printed skirts in The New York Times. With a fond smile, she joked about the organic nature of the breakthrough, noting that Cunningham “didn’t even know they were all from one designer.” That early organic success laid the foundational stone for the brand that would eventually evolve into a cornerstone of modern wardrobing.
Judging from the ear-shattering applause and cheers that erupted through the venue when Smilovic finally emerged to take her bow, it is safe to assume that fashion enthusiasts will be seeing these latest anniversary pieces out on the city streets sometime very soon. As the immortal voice of Dolly Parton crooned “I Will Always Love You” over the show’s soundtrack, it felt like a fitting tribute, leaving little doubt that Tibi fans surely feel the exact same way about the brand as it enters its next decade.
