If you were waiting until tomorrow to score a piece from Milly’s collaboration with Kohl’s DesigNation, you’re in luck. The retailer dropped the collection early on kohls.com, which means the label’s bright and sunny Capri-inspired capsule is up for grabs RIGHT NOW.
You can expect a sweet slice of la dolce vita thanks to designer Michelle Smith, who delivers the island’s vibe of jet-set glamour, sparkling Mediterranean and an endless Italian glow in her 61-piece collection of $100-or-less women’s ready-to-wear, accessories, and children’s clothing.“There’s a relaxed elegance to the island—from the amazing architecture to the delicious food, the enjoyment of life is definitely in the air,” said Smith, who vacationed there with her husband and daughter last year to get inspiration. In turn, she churned out sundresses bedecked with cabana stripes and photorealistic prints of Capri’s iconic bougainvillea, nautical pieces fit for a day at sea and, of course, the isle’s namesake cropped pants. “I wanted everything to look effortlessly chic, or as the Italians say, ‘sprezzatura,’” says Smith. To that, we say “bravo.”
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Check out a few of our favorite pieces from the collection, below.
Striped Organza Midi Skirt (above), $70; kohls.com
“This is one of my favorite fabrics in the collection,” says Smith. “It’s a sheer silk jacquard, which is a big trend for spring.” And the skirt’s style is meant to work for everyone. “A lot of the skirts focus on a true waist, which is the narrowest part of your torso,” Smith explains.
Striped Fit & Flare Dress, $84; kohls.com
Meet your new spring uniform: Slip into this preppy shirtdress with flat slingbacks and a scarf in your hair for a polished outfit that goes everywhere. “The stripes are based off the beautiful umbrellas at this wonderful little beach club called La Fontelina, only accessible by boat,” explains Smith.
Scuba Crop Top, $40; kohls.com
“Crop tops are having a major moment, and the ones in my collection are modified to flatter everyone,” says Smith, who says to pair it with a high-waisted full skirt for a silhouette that “harkens back to Sophia Loren and the retro Italian movie star look.”
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Striped Pleated Shirt Dress, $70; kohls.com
This nautical staple was inspired by Smith’s trip to Grotto Azzurra in Capri, “To get there, you have to travel by boat and the sailors wear classic striped T-shirts,” she says. For the ultimate vacation look, “Pair this casual shirtdress with an easy belt and flats for sightseeing or a trip to the flea market.”
Floral Charmeuse Crop Top, $40, and Pleated Soft Pants, $54; kohls.com
“How could I not include a pair of capri’s in the collection?” asks Smith, whose printed pants were designed with this 1971 photograph of a barefoot Jackie O in mind. “The pattern works with everything, so you can mix and match with the other pieces.”
Umbrella Midi Scuba Skirt, $50; kohls.com
A high-tech mix of bougainvillea and beach umbrellas, this kaleidoscopic skirt was also based off a personal photograph. Pair it with one of the line’s cheeky statement t-shirts for “a fun way to taste la dolce vita!” says Smith.
Fit & Flare Scuba Dress (Women’s), $68; kohls.com; and Floral Scuba Dress (Girls 4-6x), $36; kohls.com
“Little girls love to dress like mommy, and mommies secretly love to have their daughters dress like them, so I used the same beautiful fabrics, just cut and scaled down for kids,” says Smith of this pint-sized frock blooming with lush bougainvillea—a digital print adapted from one of her vacation snapshots.
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