Amy Smilovic will never sell you something to make you look taller or thinner or younger. “Who cares if you look taller, but you hate what you’re wearing?” she asks. “That’s not the point of getting dressed.”

New York-based Smilovic is a big deal in the world of fashion. Her brand, Tibi, is relatively small – she is the only investor and after 27 years in business, she has just one retail store (in New York City); the rest of the business relies on wholesale accounts.