Sister act, Sienna and Savannah Miller take their style obsession to the streets.

By Adrian Mainella of CBC's Fashion File

Today, marriages between fashion and celebrity have reached an all-time high, and if you are a star with style it seems almost expected that you should parlay that into the accreditation of Fashion Designer. The truth is, most wannabe “celebs-turned-designers” are rarely involved in the actual design of their own labels. Their management companies orchestrate a team of designers to build a collection from a loose manifesto, probably given by the celeb over a light lunch meeting. But what happens when an A-lister with real fashion sense teams up with a talented designer sister who has worked at the likes of Alexander McQueen and Matthew Williamson? Well, you get Sienna and Savannah Miller’s hot new label, Twenty8Twelve by S. Miller.

Named after Sienna’s birthday, Twenty-8Twelve—launching this fall at Holt Renfrew—is all about whimsical Dickens-inspired clothing that resurrects the beat style of Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg. Titled “An Anthology of Rebellion,” their first collection has just the right kind of costume-inspired fashion that gives actresses like Sienna (and fashion fans alike) a truly no-fear, individual look. With Halloween fast approaching, I asked these lovely sisters to tell me about their experiences with—as they say across the pond—“fancy dress” soirees.

Tell me about your first costume party.
Savannah: “I was 13, and it was my best friend Tara Summers’ 13th birthday party.” Sienna: “I went to the same one, but I was 11!”

What did you wear?
Savannah: “The theme was aliens, and I made a bodice out of bubble wrap and wire, with tinsel Madonna boob cones. I wore silver leather trousers and silver-sprayed washing-up gloves and a tinsel-covered swimming cap. I had braces at the time, and I think the whole look was a bit terrifying, but I won the prize and sweltered all night in all that plastic!”
Sienna: “All I know is that I didn’t win a prize!”

What costume would you gravitate toward today if you were going to a costume party?
Sienna: “My day job involves dressing in costume, so maybe something boring like pyjamas or ridiculous like a giant pumpkin.” Savannah: “I would love to hire an enormous, full 16th-century gown with incredible bodices and layers.”

Would you have it made?
Savannah: “If I could afford to, I would! But I think something like that would cost a fortune, so I would probably hire it. We have a great hire shop here called Angels.” Sienna: “I would get Sav on the case. Sorry, Sav!”

If you had to piece together a costume from what you have at home, what would you show up with?
Savannah: “I would probably go for a Halloween theme. I have an amazing floor-length black lace gown that is completely falling apart. It is always a winner. I have old pieces of black lace hanging around from my days at McQueen, and I would drape them across my shoulders and on the dress. I’d backcomb my hair, so it is really huge and cobwebby with talc in it, and I’d do white makeup.” Sienna: “I would raid my dressing-up box, which is full of costumes I’ve collected over the years. I would be spoilt for choice.”

If you were throwing a costume party, what theme would it have?
Sienna: “We would love to have a 16th-century party.” Savannah: “What a great excuse to hire that dress!”
What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you at a party?
Savannah: “I’m very clumsy, so it was probably a trip-up somewhere.” Sienna: “Me, too—too many to mention!”

Have you ever had any costume nightmares?
Sienna: “Wearing a corset in Venice in 100-degree heat [for Casanova] was a complete nightmare.”

Who would be the invitees at your party?
Savannah: “My Twenty8Twelve team, because they all work so hard and really deserve to have a great party.” Sienna: “And our family and friends.”

What are your thoughts on people who don’t wear a costume to a costume party?
Sienna: “Better than doing a half-hearted effort.” Savannah: “I don’t really approve. I think it makes a party so much more interesting if people all make an effort.” n
The new Fashion File begins Monday, October 15 at 7:30 p.m. on CBC.
First published in FASHION Magazine October 2007