The Tamesis
“Pre-fall is definitely our most interesting season,” Chelsea Hansford said of her Pre-Fall 2026 collection for Simon Miller. It’s certainly a no-brainer: This season, Hansford is launching color, raffia and novelty bags, just in time for summer.
With “El Sol,” Hansford once again uses architecture as inspiration, paying homage to the vibrant colonial architecture of San Miguel de Allende. Collection highlights referenced the urban landscape: a color-blocked midi dress with layered raffia fringe in marigold, turquoise, rust and black. While raffia pieces can sometimes feel formulaic, this minimalist piece is the pinnacle of Hansford’s pure, unfettered whimsy. Her playful style spilled down to the tiniest details: She finished off a coffee-and-tan striped vest with fish-shaped frog buttons in glamorous style.
While Hansford caters to her customers’ needs for kitschy resort wear, she’s also wisely investing in pieces that can be worn year-round. In this series, she’s betting big on her cotton tampon project. In response to the success of Simon Miller’s signature Lock Top, a backless lace-up button-down top, Hansford has launched a collared wrap top suitable for evening wear.
“It’s not daywear anymore,” Hansford said of poplin. “People want to pair it with a sexy skirt and heels and all that.” In fact, even though summer is over, Hansford reminds us that we can bring a touch of vacation into real life.
