Some high street collaborations arrive with much fanfare (here's looking at you, H&M x Mugler) while some creep into our lives via sun-soaked images on Instagram, with a parade of cool girls wearing it before anyone else. The latter absolutely applies to Mango's newly-launched collection with Simon Miller, the colourful, cool, LA-based brand led by creative director Chelsea Hansford.
'Mango approached us about nine months ago and for me it was an immediate yes,' says Hansford. '[The brand] shares the same community as we do, we both design for the working creative. For this reason I knew the collaboration would be successful. We both design attainable clothing with a luxury lens and with our bold colours and prints... I knew we could do something special together.'
This has manifested as what must be the dream holiday wardrobe. Fromoversized crochet polo tops (with matching trousers) to beautiful printed co-ords, beaded beach cover-ups and statement swimwear, this capsule collection is a riot of playful pieces in glorious colours that will make you want to start packing immediately.
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Available in black, too, this dress is one of the hero pieces of the collection.
One of the hero pieces is a fab knitted dress with tiered fringe skirt,available in black and emerald green. It will be perfect for any beach weddings you may have in the diary or it will become your ultimate holiday number. But there isn't a focus on any one item, as Hansford explains:
'I wanted to focus on high summer and offer full looks for vacation. I immediately asked Mango if they were open to making sunglasses, hats, swimwear, bags, shoes and jewellery alongside the ready to wear, and they greeted the question with excitement. The idea of this collaboration is a total lifestyle.'
It's a lifestyle you'll want in on, from the clothes to the accessories. The sunglasses are particularly great – and just so happen to be Hansford's favourite piece of the collection: 'They are so fun and the quality is amazing for the price point.'
That detail is key – you do feel like you're getting a luxury product at the usual Mango prices. But 'stealth wealth' this is not, you might be pleased to hear. It's playful, loud and fun – everything the summer should be.
SHOP: SIMONMILLER x Mango
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Available in blue or yellow, these sunglasses are one of Chelsea Hansford's favourite pieces in the entire collection.
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Ideal for making your swimwear even more fabulous or for embracing the sheer trend and wearing after-dark.
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This is the sort of swimsuit you can wear with high waisted trousers after a day at the beach.
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This oversized top will be your summer saviour, as it can be thrown over jeans or skirts and even your bikini on the beach. It has matching trousers, too, if you want the whole set.
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The party dress this summer needs, this is the ultimate LBD that will make you feel great.
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You could either wear this as the perfect summer mini or pair it with the matching trousers for a chic take on hot weather dressing.
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This bandeau top does have matching trousers but you could also pair with a different colour and print for a fun clash.
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These linen trousers will work for city breaks, beach holidays and everything in-between. Wear with a white T-shirt and your favourite sandals.
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This is like a holiday in a necklace – wear with everything from T-shirts to bandeau dresses.
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These shoes will go with everything this summer and are a genuinely comfy way to wear heels. The '90s vibes are pretty great, too.
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While this is an ideal dress to float around in on hot sunny days, you could also dress it up for summer weddings with heels and great jewellery.
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Also available in yellow, the shell detail on this bikini make it look more expensive than it really is.
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The bikini briefs have matching shell ornaments on either side.
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These chunky shoes have been so popular they've already sold out once, so sign up for notifications and buy them as soon as they're back in stock.
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The dream beach bag, you won't need to sacrifice any essentials with this bag – you can even take the kitchen sink with you.
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100% cotton, comfortable and flattering, this is all you'll want to wear in a heatwave.
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Throw on with shorts or jeans and then layer under knits in colder months.
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The only sun hat you need, this one will easily fit in your suitcase. Also available in black and electric blue if you're feeling particularly fabulous.
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A work of art in themselves, these sunglasses will collect compliments wherever you go.