Smoke and Mirrors Clothing

Longtime friends and precocious entrepreneurs, designers Michelle Chaplin and Emily Brandle collaborate on Smoke & Mirrors Clothing, a contemporary line with a dose of irreverence. Chaplin, a Los Angeles native, studied at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising; Brandle, who hails from Sacramento, moved to Los Angeles to study at Otis College of Art and Design.  Both graduated with degrees in fashion design.

After completing their studies, the pair explored the fashion landscape. Chaplin launched two of her own collections before moving to New York, where she acted as the head designer of an outerwear brand. Brandle has seen the fashion industry from every angle, having worked as a tradeshow coordinator, showroom sales and press manager, and a retail buyer. Now, combining their breadth of experience and passion for the industry, the dynamic duo create clothes that illustrate their creative approach to modern style. Lovers of bold prints, bright color, luxurious texture and unexpected touches, the pair collaborate to create clothes that are versatile, wearable and timeless while supporting the customers individuality.

Founded late in 2006, Smoke & Mirrors collections create a graceful balance between fashion-forward risks and wardrobe staples including tailored tops, party dresses, and must have coats. Punctuated by color, print and texture contrasting crisp tailoring and meticulous details, the fresh faced brand is quickly becoming a go-to line for women in search of wardrobe revival.

Ingenuity also plays a role in the brand’s approach to design. A beautiful trapeze coat with a heart appliqué and inverted box pleat reverses to expose another color-way. Thoughtful details – custom metallic piping and hand dipped 18k gold glass buttons– are nods to the designers’ love of the craft.

Proudly produced in Los Angeles of imported high-end fabrications, including sueded silk charmeuse, wool and cashmere blends and cotton silk voile, the collection is a love letter to feminine fashion with a sly wink of edginess. Playful yet sophisticated, detailed without being fussy, Smoke & Mirrors’ aesthetic translates into must-have pieces each season.