Amy Smilovic, the founder of Tibi, took a lifelong passion and created a burgeoning fashion label. Listen in as she relates why she took the leap into creating fashion, why she later made a major pivot in her brand, and what it has taken to keep everything moving and evolving in the ever-changing world of fashion. Amy is completely transparent about what it took to create Tibi as well all the twists and turns she’s navigated throughout the past 20 years since its creation. You won’t want to miss this in-depth look at a paragon of the fashion industry.
TIME STAMPS
(00:19) Welcome back to the last show of 2019 with the founder of Tibi, Amy Smilovic. (02:06) Learn about the competitors of Tibi before the rebrand. (03:00) Amy shares the meaning behind the name and her early inspiration. (04:45) The birth of Tibi, the first collection, and the gap the brand filled. (08:02) Why did Amy’s designs turn in to a labor of hate? (10:30) When did Amy decide to make a change? (13:33) How did she get her staff on board with the new direction? (15:47) Amy chats about the birth of 4.collective and how it funded the new Tibi. (18:39) How was the original Tibi initially funded, built, and promoted?> (24:16) Hear how Amy’s husband’s opinion of Tibi has changed over the years. (27:43) Learn how Amy’s marketing background helped propel Tibi into American stores. (31:14) After four years Amy and her husband relocated to the U.S. (33:21) Amy reminisces over the terrors of shipping guidelines and having her mom ship products. (35:49) Sustainability was important from the beginning as was keeping the local feel. (38:52) Amy’s dad’s advice led to the true establishment of Tibi in Soho. (43:54) Hear how that same advice helped her to let go of her need to be recognized by the establishment in fashion. (45:17) Learn how the lack of coverage on the Tibi brand in U.S. fashion publications speaks to the country’s opinion of women as designers. (52:18) When should the leaders in the establishment pass the baton to the next generation? (53:53) Amy shares two of her proudest accomplishments with her business. (57:53) How social media has helped keep Tibi and Amy relevant in today’s world. (1:01:30) Amy chats about the imposter syndrome she’s dealt with for 20 years. (1:04:18) Connect with Amy.Links & Resources:
OMONDI on Instagram
OMONDI on Twitter
OMONDI Newsletter
Tibi
Tibi on Instagram
Tibi on Facebook
Tibi on Pinterest
Tibi on Twitter
Amy on Instagram
What They Don’t Teach You at Harvard Business School by Mark McCormack
Acquired Podcast
Jack Ma
Song: Hell N Back by Bakar
S4 EP16: Behind The Velvet Ropes ft. Lauren Ezersky
S4 EP15: Product Development!! ft. Shilo Byrd
S4 EP14: Colors and Materials Designer ft. Sarah Barnwell Smith
S4 EP13: Upcylcing feat. Nicole McLaughlin
S4 EP12: Beauty Photographer, Tom Newton
S4 EP11: Curves at IMG Models ft. Mina White
S4 EP10: Eliou ft. Cristy Mantilla & Duda Teixeira
S4 EP9: A Proper Designer ft. Melissa Battifarano
S4 EP8: New Talent Ft. Taylor Dorry
S4 EP7: Steven Alan
S4 EP6: Fashion Styling ft. Juliana Salazar
S4 EP5: This is Cala ft. Andrew Wyatt
S4 Ep4: Fashion Photography ft. Quil Lemons
S4 EP3: The Wholesale Merchant feat. Shawn Pean
S4 EP2: Antidote feat. Lauren Amos & Eugene Rabkin
S4 EP1: T.A New York ft. Telsha Anderson
Season 3 Closer
S3 EP15: Elevating Culture ft. June Ambrose
S3 EP14: StyleZeitgeist ft. Eugene Rabkin
S3 EP13: Fashionista.com Ft. Faran Krentcil
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Let’s Get Dressed
Every Outfit
Lipstick on the Rim
Grimms’ Fairy Tales
Great Expectations
The Remasters
Fashion People