Mad About Milli

I first learned about Milli Gould when I was researching a Missoni-esque skirt that I found in a thrift shop many years ago.

The label read Milli, which research revealed was the name of a boutique run by a Hamilton-based fashionista named Milli Gould. Gould died in October, but lived to see her brand thrive into the new Millennium and also to be celebrated in a retrospective at the Art Gallery of Hamilton.

Thanks to our friends Jessica and Luc, I was lucky enough to see the show this past Sunday. It was a cool collection drawn from the closets of her loyal customers and paired with art from the gallery.

We have become so used to stand alone designer boutiques and online shopping, that we forget the impact independent retailers on fashion. A shop like Milli also served as a spiritual advisor to its clientele, guiding buyers when making such important purchases as wedding dresses, career cloths and fancy formal wear.

Gould also helped push fashion forward, championing designers like Christian LaCroix (one of my greatest thrift shop finds was a fanciful three-piece LaCroix suit) as well as producing her own private label creations.

Milli: A Celebration of Style is on at the Art Gallery of Hamilton until February 9, 2020. It’s worth the trip to the Hammer!