Shopping_vacation
Miami shopping: get into the design groove VISIT FOUR OF THE SEASIDE CITY’S MOST EXCITING RETAIL VENUES Miami is best-known for its sugar-sand beaches, hot clubs and sensual, beautiful people. Its shopping scene, as befits this international, multilingual metropolis, is equally appealing and unique. The city’s sophisticated, return visitors (mainly from South America and Europe) possess great appreciation for fashion, art and design. As a result, stores here cater to style-savvy shoppers, with fabulous shopping opportunities lining the Deco, palm-shaded streets of South Beach and mushrooming in the ever-changing Design District. Here are some of Miami’s edgiest, must-visit stores.
Arango Founded by Judith Arango in 1959 and sold in 1994 to long-time managers Marianne and David Russel, Arango is a retail design store focusing mainly on functional contemporary design for the home and office. Arango goes beyond retail, however, sponsoring workshops and lectures at local educational institutions through their design foundation. In addition to carrying spectacular pieces from Ron Arad, the Campana and Bouroullec brothers, Alessi and Philippe Starck (among others), Arango is proud to serve as the first venue for young 318 aïshti magazine
up-and-coming designers – such as Marie-Louise Gustafsson and From Us With Love – most of whom are “discovered” by the owners during their frequent travels. “The in-store experience the customer has is created by our well-educated staff, the collection of products, from a beautiful bracelet, to toys, soap holders, furniture and office accessories. We are a mini department store of good design,” says Marianne Russel. Dadeland Mall, 7519 SW 88th St., Kendall, tel. 1.305.661.4229, www.arangodesign.com
©Paul Clemence
The Webster A luxury, multi-brand boutique devoted to fashion, jewelry and photography, the Webster is the newest – and some even say most glamorous – addition to Miami’s fashion scene. Located inside a historic South Beach Deco structure – built in the late ‘30s by famed architect Henry Hohauser and now restored to its original design – the store shares a space with acclaimed Parisian restaurant Caviar Kaspia. What sets the Webster apart from other retail venues is the uniqueness of the items on sale here, each of which is diligently selected from the fashion runways by founders Laure Hériard
Genius Jones Daniel Kron and Geane Brito, owners of Genius Jones, believe that “just because you’ve become a parent doesn’t mean you have to abandon your love of design.” In their sprawling space – a sort of fantasy land for kids and for their design-loving parents – the duo sell almost anything imaginable to ensure maximum comfort in the home for children of all ages. Kids’ furniture on sale here (all with a design edge, of course), includes bedroom sets, high chairs, tables and chairs. Genius Jones also carries bath and body products, fashion accessories (check out the hats and tees for infants),
Dubreuil, Frederic Dechnik and Milan Vukmirovic (who also cofounded Colette in Paris). There are over 30 clothing brands available and exclusive pieces from Tom Ford, the YSL capsule collection (Edition Soir), Balmain, Trussardi and Ralph Lauren. Other highprofile labels include Balenciaga, Lanvin and Martin Margiela. “Miami has become the transit point between Europe, South America and the United States, and we have the ability to put Miami on the map as an international fashion destination, similar to New York, Paris and Milan,” says Vukmirovic. 1220 Collins Ave., South Beach, tel. 1.305.674.7899, www.thewebstermiami.com
cameras, books, pillows, car seats, diaper bags and, of course, toys! To ensure their products are always the best on the market, Kron and Brito carefully research each item: they choose from manufacturers that test their products for safety, use materials that are non-toxic and take steps to ensure that the manufacturing process doesn’t harm the environment. It’s what they refer to as “design for a new generation.” Two locations: 1661 Michigan Ave., South Beach, tel. 1.305.571.2000 and 49 NE 39th St., Miami Design District, tel. 1.305.571.2000, www.geniusjones.com
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JOURNEYS Shopping_vacation
Color is at the heart of NIBA’s philosophy, and founder Nisi Barryman is constantly looking for fresh and unexpected ways to incorporate wild colors into interiors. “I like to think of color as jewelry for rooms,” says Barryman, who’s the former Miami city editor for Metropolitan Home magazine. Barryman specifically chose to situate her store in Miami’s Design District: “It’s a great design destination and one of the most stylish and fun shopping areas in Miami,” she says. 39 NE 39th St., Miami Design District, tel. 1.305.573.1939, www.nibahome.com Carmen Ferreira
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NIBA A one-stop shop for the final phases of home decoration, NIBA offers an excellent selection of accessories, both new and vintage, combining classic design with an unexpected edge. Here shoppers can find unusual pieces that express their personal style. The store recently expanded to offer furniture, art and lighting, most of which are unique pieces. Star pieces include Karin Garcia’s Flora table, with its lush green illustrations, and the delightfully space-aged Audrey daybed designed by Kevin Cherry.
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