An Interview With Milly Designer Michelle Smith on Politics, Gender Identity and Women's Empowerment
The fashion industry has been one of the most vocal against Donald Trump, his current administration, and his policies. While some designers have expressed no hesitation with dressing First Lady Melania Trump, many more have refused to dress her — and they're boldly speaking out against her husband's positions on immigration, women's rights, the LGBTQIA+ community, and more.
Michelle Smith is one such designer who has incorporated activism into the foundation of her brand — donating to Planned Parenthood and throwing her support behind Democratic Presidential nominee Hillary Clinton in the 2016 Presidential election. Her Fall 2017 campaign takes her commitment to effecting change in the industry and the world to all new depths: aptly-titled "Equality For All". In it, Smith features gender fluid model Elliot Sailors in a first for the brand. "As a woman, I felt defeated," Smith said in a statement about her sentiments post-election. "It ignited a feeling inside of me that I have to fight hard for the kind of rights I once took for granted."
We talked to Michelle Smith about her dedication to activism, what she's doing to practice self-care in this chaotic political time, and what's in store for her forthcoming Spring 2018 collection next month.
Joe Schildhorn /BFA.com1/6Teen Vogue: You're no stranger to activism and have created t-shirts that benefit organizations like Planned Parenthood. Are activism and charity something you've always participated in? Or are they passions that grew for you over time?
Michelle Smith: As an individual, I have actively supported organizations for many years, especially related to women's rights, equality, education and children.
TV: Inclusivity is a crucial topic right now: not just in fashion but society as a whole. You've always had diverse runways and now you've included a gender fluid model in your campaign. How do you think other brands and publications can improve diversity across board?
MS: Diversity, equality and inclusiveness are really important both to me and to Milly as a brand. People from all walks of life are welcome, respected and loved in our house, and we show it through our imagery, work and open support. How can brands improve? It's so easy to be diverse and open if you believe in it, so my advice to them is just do it.
2/6TV: And are there other boundaries you're looking to break?
MS: I'm continually looking for new ways to spread the message of equality, tolerance and love.
TV: Do you feel designers have a responsibility to speak out about what's happening in the world around them?
MS: Dr. Martin Luther King famously said "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." I think that applies to everyone, whether or not you are a designer. It took me a while to realize my loudest, most effective voice to bring about positive change is through my brand. Milly is global with a substantial digital presence — I can touch so many more people through Milly than I can as an individual.
3/6TV: What are your thoughts on the political climate right now? There's so much negativity and confusion. How are you coping and staying positive whenever possible?
MS: My fall 2017 collection is entitled "Fractured.” It is my emotional, heartfelt response to the fractured political climate, and how it left me feeling defeated and fractured as a woman. There is positivity in it though. Beauty and strength comes from the fractures, because as Nietzsche famously wrote, "That which does not kill us makes us stronger."
4/6TV: Your Spring 2018 show is coming up. Can you give us a hint at what inspired you for the season?
MS: My Spring 2018 collection is a message of loving ourselves as women. We are all beautiful flowers; delicate but so strong.
TV: Burnout and showing multiple seasons a year has become a hot topic in the industry. Do you have a recipe for success when it comes to your work/life balance?
MS: It's really hard, the work/life balance, but it has become easier now that my children are both in school all day long. I now have many more hours to focus on creating. When I am home, I don't work. It’s pure family time, which feels like a wonderful balance.
5/6TV: Any ways you commit to self-care?
MS: It's really important to love and take good care of yourself. I commit about two hours each day to myself — working out, meditating, walking. This takes place after I drop my kids off at school and before I hit the design studio.
TV: Do you have any other projects coming up besides your show?
MS: I am collaborating with Girls Inc. on a collection of Milly t-shirts with messages of female empowerment. Proceeds will benefit Girls Inc. I also have some exciting news coming up for fall. Stay tuned and you can get a behind-the-scenes glimpse through my Instagram account.
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