Aventura Magazine September 2024

MAN OF THE CLOTH

LUIS ESCUDERO TAKES THE RENE RUIZ COLLECTION TO HAUTE NEW HEIGHTS

MIAMI’S STAR STYLIST SPILLS HER SARTORIAL SECRETS

SIZZLING DRESS REHEARSAL

STYLE

VINTAGE VIBES ON THE HUNT FOR TAG SALE TREASURES

FEATURE

54 UNCOMMON THREADS

Luis Escudero turns sartorial sketches into swoon-worthy styles at Rene Ruiz Collection By

Nila Do Simon

62 MILES OF STYLE

Veteran stylist Elysze Held is a fashion force to be reckoned with By Paige

Bowers

68 HEAD HUNTER

Follow tastemaker Ann Hyett as she spots (and sells) vintage looks that Miami’s fashionistas are fawning over By Kristen

Desmond LeFevre

74 DRESS LIKE AN ICON

Find your style muse and dress the part to perfection with signature pieces fresh from the fall runways By Katherine Lande

Stylist to the stars Elysze Held, photographed

DEPARTMENTS

12 FROM THE EDITOR AVENTURIST

15 THE MIX

Convert your favorite kicks into a work of art at Majorwavez Lab in Wynwood

18 ECO-FASHION

Okimmi by Simi D offers Earth-friendly fashion; Istituto Marangoni Miami students craft sustainable swimwear

20 HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH

Our picks for citywide celebrations

22 GUIDE

Seriously stylish stops in Bal Harbour

24 AGENDA

Mark your calendars for these five can’t-miss events and performances

26 SPOTLIGHT

Behind the seams of the guayabera

28 Q&A

Charlotte Tilbury makes Magic City moves at the Aventura Mall

30 PROFILE

Miami Heat fashionista Radmilla Lolly dishes on her courtside couture

33 IT LIST

Fashion staples get a modern makeover

34 THE LOOK

Contrasting colors make a bold statement

36 THE EDIT

Smart buys for back-to-school style

38 JEWELRY BOX

Watch out for these unique timepieces

40 BEAUTY

Products picked fresh from the garden

41 TRENDING

Three ways to spice up your self-care

JOURNEYS

43 WANDERLUST

Experience the Western wow-factor at Jackson Hole’s Caldera House

46 QUICK TRIPS

Island-hop to Honduras at the Kimpton Grand Roatán Resort and Spa

48 FLORIDIANA

Find modern elegance at Victoria 1883 in New Smyrna Beach

50 HIGH ROAD

Screening Lincoln’s Nautilus Black Label

52 HIGH SEAS

The Lancia Aprea 52 delivers la dolce vita

SIP & SAVOR

85 OPENINGS

The art of food at Elastika in the Miami Design District

86 MIAMI SPICE

Six must-try newcomers to Miami Spice (plus two tried-and-true favorites)

88 LOCAL BITES

Orilla Bar & Grill is Miami Beach’s bestkept secret; three must-try dishes at Jarana in Aventura

90 MINDFUL MIXOLOGIST

Sip into September with a classic Negroni

HOME

93 INTERIORS

A gallery-worthy getaway at the Residences by Armani Casa in Sunny Isles

94 BY DESIGN

Fashion-forward home furnishings

95 ELEMENTS

Create a study space with style

SOCIAL STUDIES

97 SEEN ON THE SCENE

Pics from Miami’s most fabulous events

LAST WORD

104 ON THE RECORD WITH...

Shoe designer Matthew Chevallard on finding inspo everywhere

Editorial Director

Daphne Nikolopoulos

Editor in Chief

Kristen Desmond LeFevre

Creative Director

Olga M. Gustine

Executive Editor

Mary Murray

Fashion Editor

Katherine Lande

Automotive Editor

Howard Walker

Travel Editor

Paul Rubio

Libations Editor

Jules Aron

Web Editor

Abigail Duffy

DESIGN

Art Directors

Airielle Farley, Jenny Fernandez-Prieto, Ashley Meyer

Digital Imaging Specialist

Leonor Alvarez-Maza

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

Cathy Chestnut, Jane E. Enos, Kelley Marcellus, Allison Wolfe Reckson, Gaylene Salomons

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Paige Bowers, Alena Capra, Jeanne De Lathouder, Caitlin Granfield, Nicole Neal, Jesse Scott, Nila Do Simon, Liza Grant Smith

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Emin Kadi, Steven Martine

SUBSCRIPTIONS 800-308-7346

Publisher Terry Duffy

ADVERTISING

National Sales Director

Deidre Wade, dwade@palmbeachmedia.com

Account Managers

Sandy Silverman, ssilverman@aventuramagazine.com

Sima Kohen, skohen@aventuramagazine.com

Libby Lekach Roffe, lroffe@aventuramagazine.com

Digital Account Manager

Ryan Hollihan, rhollihan@aventuramagazine.com

Advertising Services Coordinator

Elizabeth Hackney

Marketing Manager

Rebecca Desir

PRODUCTION

Production Director

Selene M. Ceballo

Production Manager

Lourdes Linares

Digital Pre-Press Specialist

George Davis

Senior Designer

Jeffrey Rey

Advertising Design Coordinator

Anaely J. Perez Vargas

Production Coordinator

Ileana Caban

Digital Marketing Manager

Tyler Sansone

OPERATIONS

Chief Operating Officer

Todd Schmidt

Accounting Specialist

Mary Beth Cook

Accounts Receivable Specialist

Ana Coronel

Distribution Manager

Judy Heflin

Logistics Manager

Omar Morales

Circulation Manager

Marjorie Leiva

Circulation Assistants

Cathy Hart, Britney Stinson

Circulation Promotions Manager

David Supple

IT Manager

Omar Greene

SUBSCRIPTIONS

800-308-7346

In Memoriam Ronald J. Woods (1935-2013)

HOUR MEDIA, LLC

CEO Stefan Wanczyk

President John Balardo

X BEHIND THE SCENES

WORKROOM WONDERS

Sure, the new Rene Ruiz Collection boutique in Coral Gables is to-die-for gorgeous, but for Luis Escudero, the real magic happens at his Hialeah workroom. Page 20.

CLOSET CURATOR

When it comes to fashion, Elysze Held knows what works (and what doesn’t). From directing fashion shoots to starring in her own profile feature, I loved spending the day photographing Held on Brickell this month. Page 27.

STYLE STARS

As we emerge from the heat of summer, the bustling energy of fall is once again back “in” like the next set of designer collections to come strolling down the runway. That’s why we turn our focus to all things style in this month’s issue of Aventura

You don’t have to search far in Miami to find outstanding style, and our pages are packed with sartorial stories from every corner the Magic City. Our cover star Luis Escudero takes us inside his Hialeah workroom to show us how he creates divine dress designs for the Rene Ruiz Collection—from sketches and samples to swoon-worthy finished gowns—in Nila Do Simon’s “Uncommon Threads,” starting on page 54.

When it comes to keeping up with what’s hot and what’s not, you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone more in-the-know than Elysze Held, the 305’s veteran stylist to the stars. Paige Bowers caught up with Held to get the inside scoop on all things fashion in “Miles of Style,” beginning on page 62. If vintage-hunting is your jam, turn to page 68 for “Head Hunter,” to read all about my day with tastemaker Ann Hyett, who allowed me to tag along and observe as she scouted local estate sales for treasures to snag and resell at Habitat Hyett, the chic Lincoln Road boutique she co-owns with her brother.

Finally, for the latest fashion trends and wardrobe inspo, don’t miss Katherine Lande’s “Dress Like an Icon” roundup beginning on page 74. With references to signature looks fresh from the runways, it’s your must-have guide to fall dressing.

I hope you find this month’s stories informative and inspiring. Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram (@aventuramagazine) and to subscribe to our Insider’s Guide e-newsletter at aventuramagazine.com to stay up-todate on all things Miami style and beyond.

Kristen Desmond LeFevre klefevre@aventuramagazine.com

Midday Mah Jongg Legends

Join u s for a special presentation about the history of Mah Jongg by Maureen Glabman, followed by a breakout session of Mah Jongg games. Whether you're a seasoned player or a curious beginne r, you’ll e nj o y a n afternoon of strateg y, fun, and camaraderie. Refreshments will be provided.

Thursday, October 17th | 1:00 pm

Serena Hotel

2820 NE 214th Street, Aventura

R SVP Required. Please Call : 786-882-6645 or Email: Hello@TheInternationalSL.com

Maureen Glabman has been sharing her Mah Jongg expertise for eight years, beginning at the prestigious University of Miami's Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. Her passion for the game has also led her to teach on luxury cruise ships and at elite venues throughout Miami. Known for her e ective teaching methods, Maureen combines clear instruction, comprehensive handouts, engaging videos, and supervised play for a holistic and enjoyable learning experience.

Independent Living | Assisted Living | Memory Care

Welcome Center

2820 NE 214th Street, O ce Suite 1005 | Aventura, FL 33180

786-882-6645 | Hello@TheInternationalSL.com LuxurySeniorLife.com

Florida Assisted Living License Pending.

MAUREEN GLABMAN

AVENTURIST

THE INSIDE TRACK TO ALL THINGS NEW AND NOW IN MIAMI-DADE

« THE

MIX

JUST FOR KICKS

From Air Jordans to classic Converse Chuck Taylors, sneaker culture—both new and vintage—is having a major moment. Now, those looking for shoes that are true one-of-ones can customize their kicks at a pop-up experience in Wynwood. Majorwavez Lab—boasting additional locations in Las Vegas and Los Angeles—opened in Wynwood earlier this year. It’s the brainchild of Ruben Barraza, who goes by the moniker “Majorwavez.” (TURN THE PAGE FOR MORE)

JUST FOR KICKS

“It’s all about going into the workshop and being open-minded with your designs,” Barraza says. “Our instructors are there to help every step of the way. We say, ‘Never stop creating’ quite a bit within our workshops and we really mean that.”

Barraza left a job in corporate retail with Urban Outfitters to customize shoes full-time. During the COVID-19 pandemic, however, orders for his creations started to slow. Barraza says he then began to envision a “Build-a-Bear Workshop–like concept” for sneaker customization, and Majorwavez Lab was born.

Across his three locations, Barraza says he has hosted more than 9,000 shoe students. At the Wynwood location, he sees 60 students per week during classes on Fridays at 6:30 p.m. and Sundays at 11 a.m. Classes last approximately three to five hours and cost $150. Note the

BYOS—Bring Your Own Sneakers—policy. Barraza notes that, in a pinch, there is a Foot Locker store within a 15-minute walk of the studio. His recommendation? Bring a pair of leather shoes (as opposed to fabric) because the material is more durable and easier to wipe clean in case of user error with paints. When

you arrive at the lab with your shoes in hand, you’ll find hundreds of fabrics, thread spools, paints, pens, and more for customizing your kicks—including access to a special sewing machine that can stitch through the tough materials shoes are made of.

The Miami spot has become popular for date nights, parent-kid bonding, and everything in between. “I love it when people come in with sentimental items and make something new,” Barraza says. “We had someone recently bring in their grandpa’s duffel bag and upcycle it to make shoes out of it. It was super cool to see how much that meant to them.”

Workshops can be booked up to a month in advance online. Barraza says Majorwavez Lab will remain a pop-up through early 2025. Beyond that, he hopes to find a permanent space in the 305 to keep things kickin’ (majorwavezlab.com) —Jesse Scott

With the help of Majorwavez Lab’s instructors, participants can give a pair of sneakers detailed paint treatments, use specialized sewing machines to affix new material like fabric and vinyl using a rainbow of thread hues, and add embellishments of all kinds.

Expert Advice from a Facial Plastic Surgeon

The aesthetic industry has expanded very rapidly, leading to poor results, exaggerated marketing, and fears among those wanting to improve or rejuvenate their appearance. However, it is possible to get high quality and natural results by avoiding the gimmicks and carefully choosing the proper providers. Below are a few things to consider for the following procedure.

FACELIFT

• Top 2 priorities should be: Safe & Natural results

• Doing less (a smaller / quicker lift) does NOT mean more natural results, and in fact, this can lead to worse results

• Great / Natural results are achieved by repositioning the facial fat pads & skin without excessive pulling, tension, or distortion of facial muscles (most common reason for the “joker smile” or wind swept appearance)

• Avoid gimmicks & marketing hype. Beware of lifts with fancy names that claim better results with less surgery and less recovery. There is no magic and no alternative to good quality surgical techniques.

• Recovery from a quality facelift is part of the investment. Although it’s more than a weekend, it’s usually not as long as most patients imagine. If you are not willing to make this investment, it is best to wait. It is harder to revise problems

• Avoid hiding incisions up into the hairline (behind the sideburn); this pulls back the hairline, resulting in a wide unnatural temple

• The basis to all good lifts is either a deep plane lift or (quality) SMAS lift. The deep plane lift has the advantage of release from the underlying attachments and muscles, thus allowing a natural repositioning, with less actual pulling and distortion. The SMAS lift has the advantage of avoiding entry into the deep plane, thus a faster surgery, and theoretically less chance of nerve injury, especially by those less familiar with the deep plane technique.

• Understand that facelifts do not change the quality of skin, nor add lost volume … in some cases, laser resurfacing and fat grafting may be needed as ancillary procedures.

• The term facelift usually refers to the middle and lower face, as well as the neck. The brows are addressed with a lateral or full brow lift, which can be combined with a facelift. Clarify this with your surgeon.

• Discuss these topics during your consultation and ask your surgeon why they recommend a specific approach for your needs.

AVENTURIST

Climate Chic CREATIONS

Humans produce more than 92 million tons of clothing waste each year and only 1 percent of it will be recycled.

Spring Garden

resident and fashion creator Simi Diskin (known as Simi D) is on a mission to combat these statistics via Okimmi—a clothing brand serving upcycled, one-of-akind creations that are anything but fast fashion. “In the years I’ve been building Okimmi, I’ve been choosing the best for the planet first,” Diskin says. “There is a magical language within sustainability and a lesson for all of humanity, too.”

Diskin’s collection features pieces that showcase her expertise at turning old items into new ones—from a rescued Boy Scout shirt transformed into a jacket to a party dress embellished with a peace symbol. Nothing is off-limits design-wise, and each item is totally unique.

Though Diskin once had a brick-and-mortar store in Miami Ironside, she now primarily sells her goods online with periodic pop-ups throughout the 305. For the scoop on her pop-ups, you can track her on Instagram at @okimmiofficial. Beyond Miami, Diskin has her sights set on delivering sustainability and climatecentric lectures at major events like Berlin Fashion Week. (okimmiofficial.com)

—J.S.

MADE TO SUIT

Sure, Miami Swim Week makes a splash in the Magic City each May and June. But some styles and shows have impact that keeps swimming beyond the runway. Rooted in eco-friendly inspo, the Istituto Marangoni Miami Swim-Upcycle Challenge gave students of the Miami-based fashion school the chance to put their designs and sustainability front and center.

Mentors from swimwear brands Luli Fama, Guess, Riot Swim, Agua Bendita, and Beach Riot supported Marangoni’s student designers with donated fabric, and a jury of industry professionals from Elle , Urban Outfitters, Sharpie, and Anthropologie gave their feedback on the designs.

Finalists included Maria Camila Cabrera Ruiz, Mariana Jimenez, Juan Vargas, Daniel Uribe, and Rotem Bensaadon. Ultimately, Bensaadon, a graduating student, emerged victorious. In addition to her two uniquely designed bikinis, Bensaadon accompanied the suits with recycled purses, each made from cans spray-painted silver and accented with Sharpie markers. (istitutomarangoni miami.com) —J.S.

A winning look by Rotem Bensaadon

YOUR VISION IS OUR FOCUS

Dr. Alan Mendelsohn M.D. F.A.C.S.

Preeminent Laser Cataract Surgeon Bascom Palmer Eye Institute Fellowship Trained Glaucoma Specialist including Glaucoma Lasers & iStents

Considered “Doctor’s Doctor” in South Florida

Dr. Nathan Klein O.D.

Renowned Contact Lens Specialist, including Scleral Lenses

Comprehensive Adult & Pediatric Care

Expert in Diagnosis & Dry Eye Treatment

Specialist in Myopia Management

HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH

JOIN THE FIESTA

HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH RUNS SEPTEMBER 15 THROUGH OCTOBER 15. HERE ARE THREE WAYS TO CELEBRATE CON SABOR

BY JESSE SCOTT

VIERNES CULTURALES ON CALLE OCHO

2025 will mark 25 years of Viernes Culturales (translated to “Cultural Fridays”) in the 305. Calle Ocho truly comes alive at night, and this is an opportunity to experience the famed street in its cultural prime. The cigar rollers are out, the domino tables are crowded, and local artists line the street to showcase their wares. It all adds up to an authentically Hispanic vibe like few others. Before you go, check online to find the night’s lineup of live music. Or book a spot on Dr. Paul George’s esteemed Little Havana Walking Tour on September 20. The free tour starts at 7 p.m. and provides an educational starting point for your journey. (viernesculturales.org)

LISETT MORALES SALSA BAND AT COLLINS PLAZA

A Havana, Cuba native, Morales has called Miami home for more than 25 years. Her Cuban roots are reflected in her jams, with homages to chachacha, bolero, guaracha, and more. Her Collins Plaza gig on September 24 is free, open to the public, and runs from 5 to 7 p.m. Note: This is the same day as Family Day at The Bass Museum—adjacent to the plaza—which will offer free art activities from 2 to 4 p.m. (globalartsproject.org)

MIAMI SHORT FILM FESTIVAL AND THE DEERING ESTATE PRESENT “FOCUS ON HISPANIC FILMMAKERS”

Held on September 8, this technically takes place a week before Hispanic Heritage Month starts. But the lineup of short films is sure to get you in the spirit for the celebrations ahead. The Deering Estate is the setting for an evening that kicks off with cocktails, followed by an 80-minute session comprised of six short films, including Honduran director Angel Maldonado’s Santitos and Venezuelan filmmaker Juan Avella’s Child for Child (miamishortfilmfestival.com)

El sueño de la mariposa

Tejano Night

GUIDE

BAL HARBOUR BLISS

Perhaps no other Magic City neighborhood exudes the chic vibes that Bal Harbour does. Situated in north Miami Beach, it’s known for all things style with its designer shopping venues, oceanfront hotels, luxe spas, and decadent restaurants. Here are a few of our favorite spots for a staycation or daycation. —Kristen Desmond LeFevre

STAY:

The Ritz-Carlton Bal Harbour

Forget staring out of your hotel room windows into the glass barricade of an adjacent high-rise. At The Ritz-Carlton Bal Harbour— situated just south of the Haulover inlet—guests are treated to wide, unobstructed views of the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the intracoastal and city skyline to the west. (Pro tip: Carve time out to soak in the freestanding tub surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook it all). The boutique-style, 102-room hotel offers exclusivity with just two rooms on each floor and private balconies galore. For true relaxation, book a waterfront cabana, complete with your own butler, daybed, hammock, loungers, and private hot tub. While you’re there, ring for the on-demand caviar and champagne pairing and raise a toast to the good life, Miami style. (ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/miazl-the-ritz-carlton-balharbour-miami)

RELAX:

The St. Regis Spa

Inspired by Caroline Astor and featuring a deep menu of beauty treatments and wellness experiences, The St. Regis Spa offers 14,000 square feet of luxury with 12 treatment rooms, a whirlpool, sauna, steam room, and relaxation lounge. Whether you visit with a bestie or a romantic partner, book the Four Elements Journey for Two: a luxe indulgence that guides you through the four elements of nature, including earth (a full body exfoliation that leaves the skin baby soft), water (a warm bath immersion accompanied by harmonic tones), fire (a back massage using hot stones), and air (a tension-relieving scalp massage paired with guided breathing exercises).

DINE:

Aba

Stop into Aba—a sublime Mediterranean restaurant from the likes of Top Chef alumnus C.J. Jacobson and executive partner Marc Jacobs—situated on the ground floor of the Bal Harbour Shops. With a menu of entrees and small plates centered around the rich flavors from Israel, Lebanon, Turkey, and Greece (plus a hint of Chef Jacobson’s Californian influences), you’ll want to order mezze to share. Favorites include the house-made stracciatella (accented with grilled peaches, pistachio pesto, croutons, and basil) or the roasted romanesque cauliflower (with house yogurt, aleppo, and honey). Quench your thirst with a Faux-Loma for zero-proof refreshment. (abarestaurants.com/miami)

(marriott.com/en-us/hotels/miaxr-the-st-regisbal-harbour-resort/spa)

SHOP:

The Bal Harbour Shops

For the ultimate in treat-yourself shopping, The Bal Harbour Shops have offered a can’t-miss, designer-filled destination for more than 50 years. Recent openings include boutiques from trending brands like Loewe and Silvia Tcherassi, plus renovations and relaunches of long-time favorites like Tiffany & Co., Golden Goose, and Rimowa. (balharbourshops.com)

Italo Miami Disco Connection: Skate Night

September 1

Roller-skate to disco and funk music by Italian and Miami DJs at the Miami Beach Bandshell from 5 to 7 p.m. Italo Miami Disco Connection is part of an international cultural exchange program supported by the Miami-Dade County Cultural Affairs Council, and the event celebrates the cross-cultural record release of Ode to Italy

Hosted by All Skates Go to Heaven, Miami Beach residents can rent skates for free. (miamibeachbandshell.com)

The Fiftieth Annual Orange Blossom Classic

September 1

Labor Day weekend wouldn’t be complete without tickets to the mostanticipated HBCU football game around: the Orange Blossom Classic at Hard Rock Stadium. North Carolina Central University plays Alabama State University in this premier historically Black college and university game in Miami Gardens. A battle of the bands and a game day fan fest are some of the bonus activities that fans can enjoy. (orangeblossomclassic.com)

Disney on Ice September 5-8 and 12-15

Everyone’s favorite Disney characters—including Moana, Ariel, Elsa and Anna, Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Simba, and more—will take to the ice in choreographed routines to songs you’ll want to sing along to. The fun takes place at the Watsco Center at the University of Miami from September 5-8 and at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise from September 12-15. (disneyonice.com)

Brazilian Voices presents “Amazonas: The Rhythm of Nature”

September 14

The all-female vocal group Brazilian Voices will portray both the beauty of the Amazon rainforest and the threats it faces through bossa nova melodies and poetic tributes to Brazilian composers at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center. Set against a backdrop of projected images of the Amazon, it’s sure to be an eco-concious evening dedicated to the preservation of precious ecosystems. (aventuracenter.org)

Mötley Crüe

September 26

Don’t miss one of rock’s most infamous bands at Hard Rock Live at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood. Mötley Crüe, now 43 years into their calling, has sold more than 100 million albums. Be wowed with hits like, “Home Sweet Home,” “Kickstart My Heart,” and their new single, “Dogs of War.” Keep your eyes peeled for Nikki Sixx’s flamethrowing bass routine and Tommy Lee’s roller coaster drum rig. (myhrl.com) —Caitlin Granfield

AVENTURIST

SPOTLIGHT

SHIRT HAPPENS

GO BEHIND THE SEAMS TO GET THE GOODS ON THE SARTORIAL SYMBOL OF MIAMI’S CUBAN ROOTS: THE GUAYABERA

BY KRISTEN DESMOND LEFEVRE

STYLE AND SUBSTANCE

THE ANATOMY OF A GUAYABERA

Buttons are as ornamental as they are functional.

The shirt’s yoke features decorative elements like embellished seams.

Stripes of pintucking, pleating, or embroidery are common additions to custom guayaberas.

STOP INTO ONE OF THESE MAGIC CITY SHOPS KEEPING THE GUAYABERA TRADITION ALIVE IN THE 305

The Havana Postale Shirt Company

For 40 years (and three generations), this family-owned guayabera shop has offered guayaberas for men, women, and children—including custom creations made to order. (havanapostale.com)

Marce Atelier

Hailing from Colombia, Marce is a master tailor who handcrafts bespoke

Traditional guayaberas have four pockets that are useful for storing small items.

Lightweight, lightcolored fabric—usually linen or cotton—is commonly used.

X

THE NAME GAME

In Mexico, the guayabera is also known as a “Mexican wedding shirt.” The Caribbean has its own monikers: in the Dominican Republic it’s called a “chacabana,” in Trinidad it’s a “shirt-jac,” while in Haiti it’s a “guayabel. In Miami, though, it’s known as a guayabera—though the exact origin of the name is unknown. According to Michael Knoll, folklorist and curator of HistoryMiami’s popular exhibit titled, “The Guayabera: A Shirt’s Story,” a popular belief is that the name is derived from the Spanish word, “guayaba,” meaning “guava”—suggesting that the shirt’s traditional four pockets were places to store the popular fruit.

XCUBAN ROOTS

The shirt’s bottom hem is straight and always worn untucked.

guayaberas, which he’ll measure you for and cater to your exact specifications— from pleats to buttons to cuffs—in his Coral Gables atelier. (@marce_atelier) Ramon Puig Guayaberas

The self-proclaimed “king of the guayaberas,” Puig opened his first guayabera shop in Cuba 1943. Since moving stateside, his shop on Eighth Street has turned out bespoke shirts for the likes of Ernest Hemingway, Robert De Niro, Andy Garcia, and Alonzo Mourning. (ramonpuig.com)

Historical evidence suggests that the guayabera emerged in Cuba in the eighteenth century. Legend has it that a Cuban farmer asked his wife to create a shirt with four large pockets to store his cigars, writing instruments, handkerchief, and other small items. The elegance and practicality of the shirt caught on with the local “guayaberos” (guava farmers). By the mid-twentieth century, the guayabera had become well established in Cuba, and the shirt’s adoption by government officials and workers may have inspired its popularity among city dwellers. (historymiami.org)

MIAMI MAKERS

MAKEUP MAVEN

MAKEUP ARTIST TO THE STARS CHARLOTTE TILBURY MAKES HER MARK ON MAKEUP AND MORE AT HER NEW MIAMI STORE

BY KRISTEN DESMOND LEFEVRE

Throughout her storied career, Charlotte Tilbury has sought to bring the power of beauty to people of all ages. Now, she’s bringing her celebfavorite brand to Miami at her new Beauty Wonderland in the Aventura Mall, where beauty lovers can try products in person and even book sessions with Team Tilbury makeup artists for in-store treatments and consultations. We caught up with Tilbury to find out more about the inspiration behind her beauty empire and her new Miami digs. (charlottetilbury.com)

Aventura: Where did your love of all things beauty begin?

Tilbury: As a teenager, I discovered the transformative power of makeup. Mascara was the first product I ever tried, and I felt its confidence-boosting power instantly! I also loved doing makeup on all my friends at school, and it made me realize that having the right makeup could instill confidence in

everyone. I knew that makeup, skincare, and fragrance would somehow be a part of my destiny, even though I had no idea that being a makeup artist could be a career back then.

How did you get your start in the beauty industry?

After attending makeup school and assisting a makeup artist, I went on to head up my own team of artists. Darling, the 1990's was such an exciting time to be starting out; I was working backstage on fashion shows with supermodels— including Claudia Schiffer, Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista, Naomi Campbell, Christy Turlington, and of course, my gorgeous friend and beauty muse Kate Moss—as well as creating red carpet looks on celebrities like Penélope Cruz, Jennifer Lopez, Sofía Vergara, and Salma Hayek.

When did you know you wanted to start your own product line?

I became frustrated by the standard of beauty products at the time—the concepts, formulas, quality, and performance just weren’t there. People would constantly ask how they could get Kate Moss’s smoky rock-chick eyes, film-star cheekbones, or gorgeous golden glow. I knew I had to share all my tips, tricks, and secrets with the world so that everyone, everywhere could get the glow of Hollywood stars and the airbrushed finish of the supermodels. My vision was to work with some of the world’s leading laboratories and use my artistry and expertise to innovate products and hold the customer’s hand through the

process. I wanted to introduce technology solutions so that once they got home, everything was as simple to use as if they had me right by their side, guiding them every step of the way! I wanted to create a range of magical products that could deliver phenomenal results for everyone no matter who they were—from makeup artists to parents on the school run—democratizing beauty and empowering everyone to look and feel like the most beautiful version of themselves.

What’s your philosophy when it comes to innovation?

At Charlotte Tilbury, we never imitate, we innovate! So darling, I am always thinking ahead about where there is an opportunity to create something that has never been done before. I am always innovating to create products that are one-of-a-kind and address customer needs. We have become a global beauty empire because of the quality and the innovation behind each and every product. It is what I pride myself on!

What drew you to open your Beauty Wonderland at the Aventura Mall?

I was recently in Miami for my first ever Formula 1 Academy race because Charlotte Tilbury is an official 2024 partner of F1 Academy—Formula 1’s ambitious new project supporting female drivers in progressing to higher levels of competition. I absolutely fell in love with the city! I knew when I was planning to open my second-ever store in the U.S., and first East Coast Beauty Wonderland, that it just had to be in Miami.

The store has an Art Deco vibe that’s evocative of the Golden Age of Hollywood. How has that aesthetic influenced your brand?

When I launched Charlotte Tilbury Beauty in 2013, most makeup brands were a sea of black, the counters were square, and I wanted to bring some of that backstage magic, glamour, and theatre. I was inspired by my love of Art Deco and vintage Hollywood to create a boudoir aesthetic—complete with rose gold palm trees—set to a backdrop of my signature deep-red shade of Night Crimson. Hollywood was also the theme for my product packaging—I wanted to create makeup and skincare that was ergonomic, easy to apply, and that was also an object of desire: a beautiful jewel that you would want to show off.

CHARLOTTE’S PICKS

Four Products for a Fresh Fall Face

UNREAL SKIN SHEER GLOW TINT HYDRATING FOUNDATION STICK

My no-foundation foundation is powered by my revolutionary light-mapping mesh technology, which cascades light across the face, creating a smoothed, blurred, snatched glow. It is also incredibly easy to use. With 20 stretchable shades and sheer, buildable coverage, it can adapt to and blend with all skin tones. And it only takes 15 seconds to apply. It’s so easy, anyone can do it!

I always say, “You can’t have a beautiful painting without a beautiful canvas!”

Not only is my Magic Cream a moisturizer, it’s also a re-texturizer, a skin barrier–booster, and a makeup primer, infused with my signature cushion and lift mesh technology to give you smoother, firmer, plumper looking skin. I never do makeup without it!

EXAGGER-EYES VOLUME MASCARA

For eyes that hypnotize, mesmerize, and seduce, this mascara is going to give you the most iconic lashes. My latest innovation is the secret to unlocking instant, exaggerated volume and curl for up to 28 hours. What makes it magic is my lash vinyl-black wrap tech and my ultra-curved lash styler brush. Trust me when I say this, darling: you won’t ever need to use eyelash curlers again! It is smudge-proof, flakeproof, sweat-proof, and clump-proof, and it is going to last beautifully on you all day long.

BEAUTY LIGHT WANDS

My liquid highlighter can be applied everywhere from the high points of your face to the inner corners of your eyes for a gorgeous glow that gives a stunning lift effect. It smooths, blurs, and glides onto skin seamlessly. Darling, just dot, dot, blend, and glow!

MAGIC CREAM

Charlotte Tiilbury applies her famous Pillow Talk lip color to muse and model Kate Moss.

White HAUTE Heat

FASHION DESIGNER RADMILLA LOLLY’S BESPOKE BALLER-GOWNS ARE TAKING GAME-DAY GETUPS TO NEW HEIGHTS

BY NICOLE NEAL

Scan the stands at any sporting event and see a sea of sameness. Bulky polyester jerseys. Caps in team colors. Maybe a foam finger here and there.

And then behold Radmila Lolly single-handedly upping the game.

The opera singer, composer, and designer, who the Miami Heat has called “the most fashionable courtside seat holder in the NBA,” may have come late to American sports, but she’s making up for it with her sartorial spirit.

“I just want to support the team,” says the Moscow native of the couture gowns she designs and wears to cheer on the Heat—and now the Miami Marlins, University of Miami Hurricanes, and Florida Panthers. “I didn’t like what I saw in stores. It’s not my kind of fashion.”

John Utendahl, were looking for ways to enjoy the Magic City. John suggested they try a Heat game. The couple snagged courtside seats, and the initially reluctant Lolly went from baffled to believer in record time, enjoying the athleticism on the court as well as the antics in the stands.

Her kind of fashion is reflected in her first game-day creation: a red, strapless, floor-length gown constructed from 15 XXXL-size Heat jerseys. The dress was conceived, designed, and sewn during the team’s 2019-2020 season, but COVID-19 put its unveiling on hold. When she finally donned it during the 2022 NBA playoffs against the Philadelphia 76ers, the Heat won, and so did Lolly—the internet went wild.

“I think it adds to the ambiance

to have fans dress in their own style,” Lolly told Sports Illustrated Since then, she’s expanded to create lines of game-day attire for Heat and Hurricanes fans, with other teams in the pipeline.

Mixing fandom with fashion makes sense for an artist who is no stranger to unexpected pairings. Lolly combined an opera performance with a couture show at Carnegie Hall, and united her music and designs when she performed the U.S. national anthem at a Heat game with members of the First Miami Presbyterian Church and a string octet, all dressed in her styles. She opened a Miami Marlins

game with musicians from the Frost School of Music wearing her creations and performing a medley of “Magic,” her dance anthem to Miami.

“I love Miami,” says Lolly, who left Moscow in 2002, moving to London and then California and New York before arriving in Miami in 2019. “It’s an old city, but it’s also a new city. It’s open to new things. People say, ‘Yes, let’s do this!’ As an artist, it’s exciting to be in a place where we get to grow together.”

Music and fashion have been part of Lolly’s life since childhood, but her journey to sports superfan began when she and her partner,

“Oh my God, I love that basketball fan energy— there are people screaming, laughing, crying,” she says. “That energy can’t be bought.”

Sports has also proven to be an invaluable connection to American culture. “I didn’t realize how much I was missing out on. Now, I speak the language of sports,” she says. “With an accent.”

So, should we expect a frock in aqua, orange, and blue anytime soon, perhaps dotted with a certain marine mammal leaping across the print? “Definitely!” she says. “It’s coming this year!” (radmilalolly.com) «

Designer and Miami Heat superfan Radmilla Lolly showcases her custom-made game-day attire. Each ensemble is meticulously crafted from as many as 15 XXXL-size jerseys, taking approximately eight hours and a team of three people to construct. RHONNY

STYLE

CURATED FINDS, LUXE ACCESSORIES, AND RUNWAY REPORTS

1. Inspired by a 1967 Marc Bohan drawing, discovered in the house’s archives, the Book Tote is an icon reinterpreted each season. The Dioramour capsule collection tote adorned with “Je vous adore” is this season’s iteration: Dioramour small Dior Book Tote ($3,750), Dior, dior.com

2. Initially designed in 1965 for Yves Saint

Laurent’s famed Mondrian collection, these shoes were forever immortalized when Catherine Deneuve wore them in the film Belle de Jour Modified in black and white for the Fall 2024 collection: Belle Vivier optical slingback in black/white patent leather ($1,195), Roger Vivier, rogervivier.com

THESE FASHION STAPLES GET A MODERN MAKEOVER

BY KATHERINE LANDE

5. Created in celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the legendary jewelry designer, drawing inspiration from the iconic bone cuff she designed in the early 1970s: Elsa Peretti Split ring in yellow gold ($4,500), Elsa Peretti Bone ring in yellow gold ($4,800), Tiffany & Co., tiffany.com

3. The Gucci bamboo handle debuted post-war in 1947 when traditional materials were difficult to find. This mini basket style made its debut on the Fall/Winter 2024 runway: Gucci Bamboo Basket bag ($4,500), Gucci, gucci.com

4. Born in 2012 and inspired by British supermodel Kate Moss’ love of the Louboutin Pigalle 120 mm stiletto heel. It’s recently been updated with a shorter heel height for the girl-on-the-go: Sporty Kate Sling ($845), Christian Louboutin, christianlouboutin.com

THE LOOK

COLOR CLASH

MAKE A SARTORIAL STATEMENT WITH BOLD CONTRASTING COLORS STYLED TOGETHER

BY KATHERINE LANDE

THREE RING EFFECT

Filo multicolor leather bangle set ($1,290), Fendi, multiple locations, fendi.com

HANDLE IT

GUCCI FALL/ WINTER 2024

Medium Sicily handbag ($2,345), Dolce & Gabbana, Bal Harbour, dolcegabbana.com

A 1970s-inspired color palette adds a new twist on today’s wardrobe

classics.

HIGH-STEPPING

Slingback horsebit platform sandals (price upon request), Gucci, multiple locations, gucci.com

STYLE NOTES X

COLOR BLOCK:

Approach your look with a mix of solid colors.

SOFT TOUCH:

Add interest with different textures.

CLASSIC COMBOS: Pink with green, blue with orange, purple with yellow.

NOD TO NOSTALGIA ’90s leather top-handle bag ($1,090), The Row, therow.com

Laurent by EAR CANDY Galina gold-plated ember and glass earrings ($220), Lizzie Fortunato, lizziefortu nato.com

Shiny grained leather handbag (price upon request), multiple locations, chanel.com

Saint

GREEN WITH ENVY Intrecciato rectangular sunglasses ($550), Bottega Veneta, Bal Harbour, Miami, bottegaveneta.com

Chanel,

ICON SOUTH BEACH

450 ALTON RD, MIAMI BEACH, FL$3,199,000

Welcome to one of the most coveted addresses in Miami Beach. South of Fifth is one of the most sought-after upscale neighborhoods around Miami. This unique opportunity won’t last —a rare chance for a high-floor corner residence with sweeping Biscayne Bay and unobstructed city and ocean views. Over 500 square feet of outdoor living brings you closer to the beautiful glistening water. Marvel at the city at night from your living room, that is encased with floorto-ceiling glass windows and doors. Just remodeled in 2024, new kitchen with custom European cabinetry from Doca , beverage center, Liebheir refrigerator and Miele appliances, an integrated sink, thick quartzite countertops with an invisible induction stove top, Marble bathrooms and frameless doors, Lutron and La Grande switches.

CLAUDIA RAMIREZ

Broker Associate

Phone: 786-514-7189. claudia@myfloridabesthomes.com

GLORIA TALLMAN

Global Luxury Estate Advisor Phone: 786-252-3335. gloria@myfloridabesthomes.com

THE EDIT

LOVE, LILLY

Lilly Pulitzer Via Flora backpack and water bottle ($109-$129), Pottery Barn Teen, pbteen.com

I love Lilly Pulitzer everything, so I’ve got my eye on this Palm Beachy bundle for my high school sophomore. Not only is it cool for school, but it’s functional too, with compartments for a laptop, books, and a change of clothes for after-school activities. Eco-chic bonus: the fabric is crafted from recycled plastic bottles. —Daphne Nikolopoulos, editorial director

Rule the School

GO TO THE HEAD OF THE CLASS WITH THESE EDITOR-APPROVED PICKS FOR BACK-TO-SCHOOL STYLE

COLOR CRAZE

Gel Ink Cap Type Ballpoint Pen 10 Color set ($14.90), Muji, muji.com

Take beautiful, color-coordinated notes with these pens that write like a dream and (seem to) never run out of ink. Bonus: research shows that writing in colorful ink can increase information retention. Best study aid ever! —Abigail Duffy, web editor

PLAYING IT BY EAR

AirPods Max ($549), Apple, apple.com

A trip through my son’s high school car line reveals that oversize wireless headphones are the latest must-have fashion accessory. The sporty headband is available in five color options and comes with a matching smart carrying case. Engrave names, initials, numbers, or even emojis on your pair for the ultimate in personalization. —Gaylene Salomons, contributing editor

THEY SEE US ROLLIN’ Unagi Model One Voyager scooter ($1,490 to purchase, or $59 per month to rent), Unagi, unagiscooters.com Forget bus stop waits, car line nightmares, and parking hassles. Kids of all ages are electrifying their commutes via the latest in portable scooter tech. With a maximum speed of 20 miles per hour and a range of 25 miles, you can get around campus or town with ease. No bike rack in sight to store your scooter when you reach your destination? Unagi’s hinge system folds and locks in one satisfying click—making it dramatically easier to fold and carry than any other scooter on the market. —Kristen Desmond LeFevre, editor in chief

WRITE ANSWERS

Large-ruled notebook ($155), Dolce & Gabbana, dolcegabbana.com

Record important lecture notes in style with this Dolce & Gabbana jotter that pays homage to carretto Siciliano—ornate, colorful horsedrawn carts used to transport goods throughout Sicily in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

—Jane E. Enos, contributing editor

OUT TO LUNCH

The

Find

and the bag.

—Allison Wolfe Reckson, contributing editor

Lunch Kit ($245), Inka, inka.world

daily inspo for the midday meal while dining alfresco or at the desk. This chic and functional kit includes modular InvisiSeal food containers, chopsticks, a sauce pot, napkins,

4 1

2

3

BOX

Stop the Clock

THESE UNIQUE TIMEPIECES ARE MORE JEWELRY THAN WATCH BY MARY MURRAY

5

1. COME SLITHER Bulgari Serpenti watch with diamonds, emerald eyes, and rose gold, price upon request. Yafa Signed Jewels, Palm Beach (yafajewelry.com)

2. IN THE LOOP Graff Inspired by Twombly watch with diamonds set in white gold, $400,000. Graff, Bal Harbour (graff.com)

3. OUR LITTLE SECRET Van Cleef & Arpels Perlée secret pendant watch with rubies, diamonds, and mother-of-pearl set in 18-karat rose gold, $63,500. Van Cleef & Arpels, Miami, Bal Harbour (vancleefarpels.com)

4. HANDS OF TIME Chanel Mademoiselle Privé Pincushion couture ring with gold pins adorned with cultured pearls, diamonds, and gold miniature pearls, price upon request. Select Chanel boutiques (chanel.com)

5. BELLE ÉPOQUE Limited-edition Dior Grand Bal Toile de Jouy timepiece with diamonds, gold, motherof-pearl, and stainless steel, price upon request. Select Dior boutiques (dior.com)

6. TICK TOCK Jan Leslie miniature face watch cufflinks in stainless steel and sterling silver, $495. (janleslie.com)

7. SIDE BY SIDE Jaeger-LeCoultre 101 bangle watch with diamonds set in 18-karat rose gold, price upon request. Greenleaf & Crosby, Palm Beach (greenleaf crosby.com)

8. WAITING IN THE WINGS One-of-a-kind vintage Audemars Piguet bracelet watch with diamonds, emeralds, rubies, and sapphires set in 18-karat gold, $65,000. Provident Jewelry locations (providentjewelry.com)

JEWELRY

BEAUTY Life’s a garden.

Botanical DELIGHTS

So, too, is your beauty regimen. From exquisite floral fragrances to toners, serums, and oils packed with plant-derived hero ingredients that plump, moisturize, soothe, and enhance luminosity, plant the seeds with these botanical staples: Parfums de Marly Delina

Limited Edition Eau de Parfum, blooming with heady notes of damask rose, lychee, vanilla, and white musk ($385 for 2.5 fl. oz., Neiman Marcus, Bal Harbour, Coral Gables); Kiehl’s Since 1851

Calendula Herbal-Extract

Alcohol-Free Toner ($48, Sephora locations); Juara Candlenut Glow

Body Oil, a vitamin-rich dry oil infused with candlenut oil, passion fruit oil, and plumeria ($65, juaraskincare.com); Annemarie Börlind

Natural Beauty Rose

Nature Night Repair

Drops, a rejuvenating trifecta of peony, Black Forest rose, and desert rose ($100, boerlind.com); Vintner’s Daughter

Active Botanical

Serum, packed with 22 botanicals ($195, Bluemercury locations); Omorovicza Queen

Serum, a royal flush of Mediterranean microalgae, Chinese leaf extract, and lithops stem cells ($180, Saks Fifth Avenue locations); Byroe Hydrangea Tea

Intensive Hydration

Serum, a hydrating blend of upcycled hydrangea tea and lavender, and blue agave leaf ($80, byroe.com). —Abigail Duffysandi ndi cipsae «

TRENDING

SPICE IT UP

FORGET THE SPICE DRAWER: THESE STANDOUTS HEADLINE YOUR RECIPES FOR BEAUTY AND WELLNESS

BY LIZA GRANT SMITH

Turmeric

The backstory: Turmeric, known as the “golden spice,” comes from an East Indian plant in the ginger family. The beauty: Curcumin, a bioactive component in turmeric, offers antiinflammatory and antioxidant properties and improves skin tone with a natural, warm glow. Try: Kora Organics’ Turmeric Glow Essentials with turmericinfused mask, cleanser, and moisturizer. (koraorganics.com) Why it’s a wellness beast: Curcumin’s antioxidants effect on cells can result in immunity prowess. Try: So Good So You’s Immunity Turmeric Shot, available locally at Publix. (sogoodsoyou.com)

The backstory: Saffron crocuses have a short bloom season (one to two weeks per year), with each flower only producing three threads (stigmas) that must be harvested by hand in mid-morning— making this high-maintenance spice expensive. The beauty: The antioxidants in saffron purify the scalp, hinder hair loss, promote healthy hair growth, and repair damaged hair. Try: Joon Haircare’s Saffron Hair Elixir Oil. (joonhaircare.com)

Why it’s a wellness beast: Studies show that consumption of a mere 28 mg of saffron can help calm and brighten mood. Try: Youtheory’s Saffron Supplement Capsules with an added boost from ashwagandha and rhodiola. (youtheory.com)

CINNAMON

The backstory: Made from the inner bark of a Southeast Asian tree, cinnamon’s use dates back to 2800 B.C.

The beauty: Cinnamon oil can cause blood to rush to the surface of lips, giving them a plumper appearance. Try: Lip Venom DuWop Cosmetics. (duwopcosmetics.com)

Why it’s a wellness beast: Consistent consumption of Ceylon cinnamon may lower blood sugar and reduce blood pressure and other risk factors for heart disease. Try: Elephant Chateau’s Royal Cinnamon Spice Tea with fresh Ceylon cinnamon chips. (elephantchateau.com) Lip Venom a plumper appearance. from

SETTING THE STANDARD

Palm Beach Media Group is a renowned publishing company with print publications representing a mix of proprietary titles and custom magazines, along with digital solutions, serving the entire state of Florida and more.

JOURNEYS

YOUR PASSPORT TO THE MOST FASCINATING CORNERS OF THE GLOBE

INTO THE WEST

WHEN IT COMES TO SKI ACCESS, IMPECCABLE SERVICE, AND PROXIMITY TO AMERICA’S MOST CHARISMATIC PARK, JACKSON HOLE’S CALDERA HOUSE IS THE COMPLETE PACKAGE

BY DAPHNE NIKOLOPOULOS

Since the days of mountain men and desperados running from the law, Jackson Hole has had a certain kind of allure. The “hole” (aka valley) sprawling beneath the gaze of Wyoming’s Grand Teton mountains has a resplendent wildness that has called to the intrepid—and those who want to hide—since the early 1900s.

The appeal is the same today, though Jackson Hole attracts a different type of pilgrim. For starters, when we talk about Jackson Hole, we talk about skiing. Known for its extremeskiing ethos, this mountain resort is in its own class. Countless backcountry trails invite skiers to carve fresh tracks, and gravity-defying verticals beg for conquest. The snowfall is profuse,

and the “cowboy powder,” as locals call it, is dry and fluffy. In terms of snow quality and exhilarating terrain, Jackson Hole is akin to skiing in Europe, which is probably why it attracts such a cosmopolitan crowd, including a steady stream of celebrities.

To cater to this high-profile clientele, private equity investor Wesley Edens developed Cal-

dera House, a luxurious retreat and alpine club with ski-in/ski-out access, at the base of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. Edens, a former competitive skier and founder of Fortress Investment Group (whose holdings include the Brightline), envisioned a resort with unparalleled service and high design for guests accustomed to the very best. Caldera House has eight suites only, each a gorgeous mountain home with two or four bedrooms, full kitchens, fireplaces, spacious balconies with

gas grills and hot tubs, steam showers, and every comfort imaginable—even snowmelt patios and freezers stocked with ice cream.

Los Angeles–based design house Commune channeled the mid-century Alpine style of ski resorts like St. Moritz and Gstaad, as well as Scandinavian modern design, when conceptualizing Caldera House. The mountain-mod-

ern interiors project a sleek interpretation of the American West with custom furnishings and millwork, curated local art, and floor-toceiling windows framing billion-dollar views.

Caldera House’s most unique attribute is its alpine club. Members have access to a private locker room with boot and glove dryers and personal lockers in which to store skis and gear year-round. Ski valets tune skis for whatever conditions prevail and transport gear so that members need only show up to the lift (after enjoying complimentary breakfast at their private lounge).

Membership is justifiably coveted, but at press time it was at maximum with a long waiting list. It’s not required, however, to take advantage of Caldera House’s signature experiences. Via a well-versed concierge, guests can book heli-ski adventures, hot air

COURTESY OF CALDERA HOUSE

Clockwise from above: Slopeside dining at Caldera House; Corsa restaurant serves Italian delights; kitchen and dining area of the four-bedroom

Valles Suite; Corsa resembles a trattoria in the Italian Alps; the Alpine Club members’ lounge; Valles Suite’s spacious living room.

balloon rides above the Tetons, private wildlife safaris in Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks, backcountry skiing or hikes, and dozens of other immersive activities for every taste and level of expertise. The Caldera House team offers unprecedented access to these wild places, where the spirit of the American West is alive, well, and more inspiring than ever. (calderahouse.com) «

THE JOYS OF SPRING

DON’T MISS THESE WARMER-WEATHER MUSTS IN AND AROUND JACKSON HOLE

GET ON THE SNAKE

They don’t come any more wild and scenic than the Snake River, which winds through the pristine lands of Grand Teton National Park and offers endless opportunities for recreation. Watch bald eagles soar and bison graze while floating on a gentle stretch of the river. Grab a fly rod and fish for “cutties” (cutthroat trout), which are unique to this watershed. Or opt for thrills on insanely powerful white water. If you didn’t get on the Snake, did you even go to Jackson Hole?

EXPLORE ON FOOT

In the summer, every conversation in Jackson Hole eventually comes around to hiking. Here, there are more trails than people, each a superb opportunity to bask in nature with all its wildflowers and wildlife. “Know before you go” is the name of the game here. Some trails are steep, so be sure to acclimate to the 6,300foot altitude. Pack bear spray, just in case. And if you plan to delve into the backcountry, pack all the essentials and go with a buddy. Caldera House team favorites include Lake Solitude, Sleeping Indian, Phelps Lake, and Jackson Peak. Hike the latter at daybreak and watch the sun rise over the Tetons.

THIS LAND IS OUR LAND

The national parks are this nation’s gift to its people, and Jackson Hole sits between two of the finest: Yellowstone and Grand Teton. Exploring the parks is a must, but you’ll get a lot more out of it if you go with an experienced guide. Brad Parker and Gus Davis of Teton Wilderness Tours (tetonwilderness tours.com) have encyclopedic information

on local geology and lore, and they know all the secret spots for wildlife viewing. Chances are you’ll meet bison, elk, moose, grizzlies, pronghorn antelope, and with a little luck, the elusive gray wolves of Yellowstone.

DO SOMETHING WESTERN

The Wild West? This is it. The town of Jackson has a rich history with outlaws and bandits, and the land around it is the birthplace of cowboy culture. Part of the fun of coming here is basking in the spirit of the West through activities like horseback riding or taking in a rodeo. For something more raucous, head to the historic Million Dollar Cowboy Bar (milliondollarcowboybar.com) for music and Western dancing, or watch the country’s longest-running shootout, both in the heart of Jackson. —D.N.

Clockwise from above: The Snake River flows through Grand Teton National Park; hiking and horseback riding through Grand Teton; Million Dollar Cowboy Bar in Jackson; Caldera House’s ski locker room for members; bedroom in Taupo Suite.

QUICK TRIPS

MAKING A GRAND ENTRANCE

A WORLD OF ACTIVITIES AND LUXE AMENITIES AWAITS AT THE NEWLY OPENED KIMPTON GRAND ROATÁN RESORT AND SPA

BY JANE E. ENOS

For a location with absolute euphoric waters—even on cloudy days—turn your attention to the Kimpton Grand Roatán Resort and Spa, located on the largest of Honduras’ Bay Islands, approximately 40 miles off the country’s mainland. The resort, which opened in fall 2023, is nestled within a cluster of hills boasting an impressive canopy of tropical rainforest and lies adjacent to crystalline waters containing the world’s second-largest barrier reef. Here, a huge underwater aquarium showcases a colorful array of marine life.

For those interested in snorkeling, it simply doesn’t get much better. There’s no long (or short) boat ride to and from a reef because

it’s beachside—mere steps and strokes away from the resort. To be more precise, I clocked my time from beach chair to the reef’s edge at about three minutes, and I’m not a swift swimmer. There’s no need to pack snorkeling gear; equipment is provided complimentary to resort guests. And, not to worry should

you desire to delve deeper. Scuba diving is available, too, and the resort offers packages in collaboration with its partner, West Bay Divers. While submerged in a sapphiric sea, expect the colors of the rainbow to emerge in the form of myriad fish, sea turtles, eagle rays, and other pelagic wonders. With all the reef’s nooks and crannies, don’t be surprised if you find yourself passing a full morning or afternoon looking down upon sea life. Though difficult to rival the splendor found underwater, the resort and the property it rests upon offer a beautiful complement and reflect an aesthetic apropos of the tropics. Interiors of the resort feature neutral tones and earthy textures, as colossal windows and doors welcome an abundance of light, summoning the outdoors in. This organic ambience also emanates throughout the 116 accommodations on property. Design elements such as handwoven lampshades, wood art pieces, and muted tones throughout guest rooms work to create a natural milieu, while most accommodations feature private balconies that double as well-placed perches to take in the cerulean Caribbean.

Clockwise from left: The resort rests within a tropical canopy; blues of the infinity pool merge with the colors of the Caribbean; natural hues take center stage in guest rooms and in the lobby area.

Between the main building and the sea lies the resort’s main hub, including an enormous, terraced deck and a large infinity pool. There are two relaxed dining options nearby, including Sea Cat, where you won’t want to miss the Island Ceviche, and The Drop Off, a toes-in-the-sand beach bar serving up informal nibbles and a variety of concoctions. Alera, a less casual option (though certainly not formal), offers visitors breakfast and dinner in the context of simple yet deliciously prepared Mediterranean cuisine. If you’re searching for a cocktail that comes with a view, head to Vos Café and Bar, which affords a sleek vibe and incredible sights of the sunset.

A highlight of the resort is its Kao Kamasa Spa, where treatments center around wellness, healing, and spiritual mindfulness. The spa and its brand embrace and celebrate the Pesh, an indigenous Honduran ethnic group. Pesh designs, language, customs, and rituals are integrated throughout the spa’s many offerings. Though menu items are diverse, I suggest the Gua Sha Stone Rejuvenator facial treatment, which incorporates jade-crystal massage to smooth fine lines and stimu-

late collagen production. For me, it was a treatment I won’t soon forget—one that left me relaxed, refreshed, and aglow. If a spa day makes your itinerary, be sure to leave plenty of time for lounging at Kao Kamasa’s cliffside garden pool, where incredible panoramas pair with a steady island breeze.

Should you seek island adventure off the

property, consider a visit to Gumbalimba Park, a privately owned beachfront haven, located only 10 minutes away from the resort by car. Here, you can learn about the island’s history (inclusive of pirate lore), traverse trails through a prolific forest, cross a 237-foot suspended bridge, and participate in various animal-based experiences. Expect to encounter iguanas, agoutis, parrots, and other species and capitalize on photo ops with energetic white-faced monkeys and vibrant macaws.

A great spot for those traveling with or without family, the Kimpton Grand Roatán Resort and Spa offers a feast for the senses—whether you soak these up above or below sea level. And with direct flights from Miami to Roatán, mark it as an excellent spot for a quick—or longer—getaway. (grandroatanresortandspa.com) «

SERGIO LOPEZ FOR KIMPTON HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS

Clockwise from above: Vos Café and Bar offers ideal sunset views; the Kao Kamasa Spa among the lush tropical landscape; savory bites from The Drop Off; the cliffside garden pool and tiled fountain set a relaxing tone at the Kao Kamasa Spa.

FLORIDIANA

Yesterday TODAY

A MODERNIST ESCAPE WRAPPED IN VICTORIAN ELEGANCE RECALLS THE HOSPITALITY OF A BYGONE ERA

BY CATHY CHESTNUT

New Smyrna Beach maintains a mellow ambience that harks back 40 years, unlike many beach towns along South Florida’s bustling coastline. The small city seems to fly under the tourism radar, though it is a hot spot for surfers. If quietude (read: no crowds) sounds inviting, then this city with a population of 32,000 is an ideal destination.

The Victoria 1883 is a welcoming place to drop your bags and begin your journey. The oldest local residence, the former waterfront estate is located along North Riverside Drive in an invitingly walkable, oak-canopied neighborhood overlooking the Indian River. Though it’s authentically Victorian opulence on the outside, the husband-and-wife team of architect Peter and Fabiola Spooner completely reimagined the interior of the sevensuite bed and breakfast with a modern design. It opened in 2022 following a 17-month renovation.

Fabiola, who is happy to detail the property’s history, is the event planner who oversees weddings and community gatherings on the spacious lawn beneath the property’s centuries-old oaks.

Guests can arrange to have an intimate, private meal in the hidden “speakeasy,” which is artfully concealed inside the former carriage house. The chef also serves a healthful, complimentary breakfast to your table on the porch or in the dining room before you strike

out to explore the area’s rich natural resources.

Two must-see destinations are the 184-acre Smyrna Dunes Park along the shores of the Ponce de Leon Inlet and the Canaveral National Seashore. The dunes park features a 2-mile elevated boardwalk with scenic overlooks that takes visitors through the massive dune systems covered with dense vegetation and down to the quizzically crowd-free shoreline. In addition to impressive dune systems, the national seashore has several points of interest, including the historic Eldora State House, an 18-foot Timucuan mound, marshes, oak hammocks, and beaches. The time of year dictates whether you will see the migratory birds—thousands—that use the barrier island as a stopover or sea turtles coming ashore to lay their eggs.

While exploring these natural amenities on foot, bicycle, by car, or in a kayak, you may find yourself wondering: where is everyone? Both locations were peacefully, sparsely populated on a 76-degree April day.

After working up an appetite, grab a bite downtown or head to the patio garden at Third Wave Café & Wine Bar on Flagler Avenue in the heart of a quaint residential neighborhood, which caught the attention of celebrity chef Guy Fieri. (victoria1883.com) «

Clockwise from top left: The Victoria 1883 is across the street from the Indian River; a peek inside the hidden “speakeasy”; the dining room leads to a small porch for alfresco breakfast; the Sheldon suite has a private balcony and clawfoot tub.

COURTESY

SCREEN TEST

LINCOLN’S NEW NAUTILUS DELIVERS LUXURY AND STYLE, PLUS A 48-INCH GLASS SCREEN

BY HOWARD WALKER

Grab the popcorn, we’re going to the movies. Well, that’s what it feels like when you shimmy behind the very funky wheel of Lincoln’s brand-new Nautilus.

Cascading across the leather-trimmed dashboard, like some in-car IMAX, is a massive 48-inch, full-width glass display. We’ve seen oversize screens on Teslas, electric Mercedes, and even in the back seat of an i7 BMW. But this is bigger, wider, and curves majestically from pillar to pillar. Expect passengers to squeal with delight.

The main display in front of the driver shows the usual speed and fuel level, while the middle portion is a navigation screen using Google Maps. The fun starts with the configurable passenger side section, which can show

weather, music, time, and tire pressure.

Add to all this an 11.1-inch touch screen in the center of the dash where you can watch movies or play video games, with content courtesy of YouTube or Amazon Prime. For digital nomads, Lincoln is working on an app for in-car video conferencing.

Keeping with Lincoln’s mantra of quiet luxury, this new Nautilus comes with a Rejuvenate button. It’s for those times you’re parked in the school pick-up line, outside Starbucks, or have a few minutes to kill and just need to chill. Sessions are five or 10 minutes. At the tap of the screen, the driver’s seat reclines, and a massage function activates, soft Kenny G–style elevator Muzak wafts from the 28-speaker Revel stereo, while aromatic scent flows from

the vents. Don’t get too excited, the smell is more akin to a New York taxicab than the advertised Mystic Forest or Violet Cashmere. That 48-inch screen, however, adds to the relaxing vibe by projecting moving panoramas of the Adirondack Mountains, babbling brooks, and the aurora borealis. Want to see passing stratocumulus clouds? Just look up through the panoramic, full-length glass roof.

Lincoln has done a fine job of giving its mid-size Nautilus a full-body makeover. The all-new sheet metal blends elements from its Corsair and Aviator SUVs, but this newcomer is brimming with surprise-and-delights. Like the pencil-thin, full-width LED light bar across the nose that delivers the coolest light show when you lock and unlock. Lovely exterior door handles are almost hidden along the belt line.

Under the hood, the punchy 335-hp twinturbo V6 is no more with only the carry-over 250-hp 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder, modified for better fuel efficiency, on offer. Talking of efficiency, there’s also an optional hybridized version that packs 310 hp, with the four-cylinder aided and abetted by a 100kW electric mo-

HIGH ROAD

tor. It’s good for 30 mpg city and 30 mpg combined, compared to the 21 mpg city/22 mpg combined with the gas-only Nautilus.

I just spent a week with the fancy-pants, non-hybrid Nautilus Black Label, base price $74,350, or $80,845 as tested, and certainly came away impressed. While 250 horsepower doesn’t sound like much, on the road it never feels lacking in oomph. The 8-speed automatic does a fine job of keeping the turbo-4 on the boil and responding instantly to calls for kickdown.

If you want a zippier Nautilus, the hybrid is the one to have. With its extra 60 horses and electric boost for off-the-line sprints, it’ll get to 60 mph in 6.6 seconds (compared to 7.3 seconds for the gas version), while delivering more abstemious economy. The no-brainer part? It’s only a $1,500 uptick.

What this new Nautilus does so well is transporting you in whisper-quiet, sybaritic com-

fort. There’s acoustic-laminated glass, active noise control, and even sound deadening in the wheels to muffle any engine, wind, or tire roar. Opt for the adaptive air suspension for a pillowy, floating-on-air ride.

While the new Lincoln has no real sporting aspirations, it steers nicely, keeps body roll in check, and, with all-wheel-drive standard, carves curves with confidence. There’s

also an Excite drive mode to firm things up when needed. And its funky steering wheel just feels special to use. The only negative is the brakes; pressing the pedal is like stepping in wet cement.

There’s a lot to love here, and with big improvements in quality, craftsmanship, and attention to detail, this new Nautilus is more of a true luxury offering than ever. «

BY HOWARD WALKER

Sing it after me with lilting passione: “When the moon hits your eye like big pizza pie, that’s amore.” You might remember it as the theme tune of ’50s crooner and rat-packer Dean “Dino” Martin. Chances are you’ll be gushing with Dino’s amore when you gaze longingly at the sublime Lancia Aprea 52, the newest creation from the Cantieri Aprea shipyard in Sorrento, Italy.

Making its U.S. debut at this year’s Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (October 30 to November 3), this oh-so-sleek, insanely sexy, 52-foot fast day-cruiser is the personification of the Italian la dolce vita—the good life.

Step aboard, feel the hand-laid teak decks beneath your bare feet, take in the artisan-crafted joinery in the cockpit, then brush your fingers across the exquisite Italian Loro Piana fabrics below deck. Magnifico. In these days of bland, Maytag-white center consoles with all the passione and style of a Clorox bottle, this new Lancia Aprea stands out like Clooney in an Armani tux. Cruise up to your local waterfront eatery and be prepared for heads to spin, jaws to plunge.

In case you haven’t heard of Cantieri Aprea, the yard was founded back in 1890 by Cataldo Aprea in Sorrento, gateway to Italy’s famed Amalfi Coast and home to that lemony-sweet Limoncello aperitivo. For the past 134 years, they’ve been building traditional, fishing boat–style gozzos and today offer a line-up of gozzo-style cruisers from 25 to 50 feet. While these Aprea models are crafted from glass fiber and use modern diesels for power, they’re still old school, with trademark rounded transoms, broad beams, and oversize teak swim platforms.

To branch out and appeal to a less retro-loving audience, a couple of years ago the Aprea family developed a new line of fast dayboats. Again, the yard delved into its heritage and earmarked an Aprea design from the 1950s, the Lancia Sorrentino. While the salty gozzos were used by humble fisherfolk, the Sorrentino was the high-speed taxi boat that ferried vacationing celebs and glitterati from Sorrento, across to the isle of Capri, or around to Positano.

The result is this brand-new Lancia Aprea 52, the first in a range of proposed models from 31 to 72 feet. Shaped by Naples-based Victory Design, the 52 adopts the original Sorrentino’s towering, wave-cleaving bow, a gorgeous, curvaceous, tumble home at the stern, and mirror-varnished transom.

POWER

FILE PRICE: FROM $1.8 MILLION LENGTH: 50 FEET BEAM: 16 FEET DRAFT: 2 FEET, 7 INCHES ENGINES: 3 X 600 HP MERCURY VERADO V12 TOP SPEED: 48 KNOTS WHY WE LOVE IT: BECAUSE IT’S ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BOATS MONEY CAN BUY.

To add a more modern vibe, there’s a tall, rounded windshield attached to a long hardtop that provides shade and protection to the four-seat helm area. Talking of protection, I love the Lancia’s super-deep side decks that make walking up to the bow seats and sun pads feel safe and secure.

The Aprea is a true custom boat, so pretty much anything your heart desires you can get— including the layout of the cockpit behind the helm. On the first 52 built, it featured a U-shaped dining area with a hi-lo table and a three-across sun pad behind. For U.S. examples, Aprea will ditch the sun pad for an open area for fishing.

American tastes will also dictate the choice of power. While Euro versions come with twin, shaft-drive 850-hp MAN diesels, or twin 800-hp Volvo inboard diesels hooked-up to IPS drives, U.S. buyers will have the choice of outboard power. Take your pick from either triple or quad 600-hp Mercury Verado V12s giving up to 50 knots of speed.

While U.S. buyers are expected to use their 52s as a luxurious dayboat, weekends or weeks away are well catered for in the Aprea’s belowdeck accommodations. Select from cruise or lounge layouts with a double in the bow and either two twin cabins, or one with the addition

of a lounge area. Throughout either version, the quality, the craftsmanship, the fit and finish, and attention to detail is otherworldly, which accounts for the Lancia Aprea 52’s $1.8 million base price or $2.2 million “well-equipped” sticker.

As with Aprea’s gozzo models, U.S. sales are being handled by Boyne City, Michigan–based Fratelli Aprea USA, headed by its president, Michael Sinacola. At the Lauderdale show unveiling, he should expect some serious outpourings of passione and amore. «

HIPAA and OSHA compliant suites for medical, mental health, and wellness practitioners. Lina’s membership plans greatly reduce overhead costs and barriers to practice and cater to a wide array of specialists, whether they need a flexible space or a permanent home for their practice.

UNCOMMON

HOW LUIS ESCUDERO TURNS

SKETCHES INTO SWOON-WORTHY STYLES

BY NILA DO SIMON | PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEVEN MARTINE

ometimes, in the haze of a day of designing, Luis Escudero talks to his fabrics. Not surprisingly, they respond.

Like the pink-petaled floral brocade with a dark teal background. Once draped on the dress form on the ground floor of the fashion designer’s two-story warehouse in Hialeah, the yards of brocade encouraged him in the direction of an off-the-shoulder cocktail dress with oversized puffed sleeves. And after Escudero wrapped a textured brocade with hand-sewn golden organza appliques on a dress form,

it suggested to him that it might look best as a strapless fitted gown. Its most important contribution? Adding a matching organza belt to finish the look.

“As fabrics speak to me, I pin them on the mannequin and see where they take me,” Escudero says of how he begins his design process. “It evolves from there, and I want to see where the conversation goes.”

For the past 16 years, Escudero has been designing at Rene Ruiz Collection, a brand known for its time-honored

This page: Luis Escudero and model Johanna Chone at the newest Rene Ruiz Collection Boutique in Coral Gables.

Opposite page: Sketches and fabric swatches come together in a finished product: a capsleeve illusion fil coupe gown.

evening wear and special occasion looks. Escudero has spent the last five years as its creative director, taking over for the namesake designer who introduced his first evening wear line to South Florida in 1992. Since then, the Rene Ruiz Collection has expanded, with four boutiques (three in Florida and one in New York’s Long Island), including its new Coral Gables location. The latter, opened in October 2023, is a light-filled haven for women searching for a special look for occasions like a gala, wedding, bar mitzvah, or really any other moment worth sartorial celebration. Within the 2,000-square-foot space, sequined, tulle, organza, and chiffon gowns breathe life and glamour in the Ponce De Leon boutique. Escudero’s newest creation—sparkling evening bags—made their debut on the sales floor and online this summer.

As Escudero puts it, his design process is “old school,” rooted in the idea that there’s comfort in the familiar, and tried-and-true. Instead of using modern-day computeraided design, or CAD, that some of today’s designer’s use to digitally sketch, for Escudero, the process is more tactile. He describes how he prefers to feel his way across fabric—oftentimes selected during his trips to Paris—and later draping them with his own hands give him a closer connection to his future creation and the women who will wear it.

Once the fabric has been pinned on the dress form, the look begins to take shape. Escudero starts sketching the silhouette, and from there fine-tunes the proportion and

This page: Surrounded by the tools of the trade in his Hialeah workroom, Escudero takes a strapless, appliqued, belted brocade gown from sketch and swatches to runway-ready.

Opposite page: Escudero displays a sketch for a new cocktail dress with bell sleeves; the look begins to take shape as he adjusts the sample's seams with Chone as his mannequin.

details. Necklines are defined and hemlines are adjusted until they feel just right.

“I obsess over these things,” he admits.

Before the fabric is cut, Escudero creates the design with a muslin, a malleable fabric that allows the design team, which includes four other artists, to morph their work even further. Then, the cutting begins. After the piece has taken shape and been formed with more detail, Escudero photographs it on the dress form with his iPad, allowing him to instantly view it from another vantage point, a 2D version, to “see if I’m going in the right direction.” From there, he continues tweaking, working with his design team, which gives input and feedback with each new iteration.

Looking back, the 44-year-old Miami native with a shy, boyish grin says fashion was always in his cards. He remembers learning to sew in the ninth grade and then making prom dresses for his friends, including a Vivienne Westwood-inspired halter dress in cherub jacquard. Designers like Michael Kors for Celine and Alexander McQueen inspired a young Escudero. He went on to study fashion at the International Fine Arts College (now known as Miami International University of Art & Design) before spending a year at the Paris Fashion Institute.

When he landed at Rene Ruiz Collection in 2008, it was a match made in heaven. “Evening wear is my passion,”

Escudero says. “I’m lucky. It’s fun for me, and at this point, it’s second nature.”

Today, Escudero and his creative team produce nearcountless quantities of looks each year. Literally. During a recent moment inside the warehouse, Escudero asked his team how many dresses they produce annually. After several minutes of contemplating, adding and calculating, the team estimates that about 1,000 different looks are produced a year. These special occasion pieces are then shipped to the four boutiques or directly to retailers like

Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Macy’s. In addition, there is a diffusion line, or a line that is offered at a lower price point, to retailers like Saks Off Fifth, Rue La La, QVC, JCPenney, TJ Maxx, and Marshalls. And then there are the custom-made pieces that clients request, which the design team guesses is somewhere around 200 gowns each year.

Escudero's gowns have been worn by some of Miami’s most respected women, including legendary musician Gloria Estefan and on-air commentator Ana Navarro for her 2019 nuptials. Actress Rebel Wilson has worn Escudero’s designs, notably at a Monte Carlo gala.

When asked what inspires how he designs, Escudero pauses before saying, “Our clients are my muses.”

Mothers who are marrying off their children, philanthropists who are presenting a new endowment, girls celebrating their quinceañeras, and more have all turned to the Rene Ruiz Collection team to bring their sartorial fantasies to life. Though his clients range in age, size, and geographic location, Escudero says his design process has one common subject in mind: real women.

“I’m very sensitive to treating our clients with respect and integrity for their special day,” he says. “I treat all the people like my family. When I was under the wing of [label namesake] Rene Ruiz, who is a very talented designer, he instilled in me the skills to work with real women.”

That includes, Escudero explains,

This page: Escudero layers netting, tulle, and sequins to create this off-theshoulder, mermaid gown. Chone wears a one-shoulder cocktail dress as Escudero perfects a color-blocked flounce detail.

Opposite page: A team of four designers works with Escudero in Hialeah to create new designs like this aqua brocade cocktail dress and this draped strapless gown.

knowing what to hide and, alternatively, what to show. Most gowns come with built-in bustiers to give a slimmer shape to a woman’s torso, holding everything in and ensuring that the gown will stay in place no matter how much she moves throughout the night.

Escudero points to a recent custom fitting as an example of how he pivots his design based off a client’s comfort level. The New York–based client needed a formal dress for an upcoming event, and after their initial consultation, Escudero went back to the drawing board to show off her shoulders and décolleté, adding detailing to those parts of the gown and drawing attention to her facial features, and taking the focus off other body parts she wanted to de-emphasize.

When he designs a collection instead of a personalized piece, Escudero says oftentimes those are the most challenging assignments. After all, “I have to design for someone who isn’t in the room,” he says.

The fictional wearer will no doubt be excited about the Spring 2025 collection, one that Escudero calls “bright and colorful” and “sexy and more free-spirited” than past collections. He is channeling his inner spirit of Miami, his hometown that gave Escudero his start in fashion and foundation for style. Ombré and vibrant-colored dresses, including a one-shouldered coral pink dress with a ruffled

neckline in pink and tangerine, become his ode to the Magic City.

“At the end of the day, Rene Ruiz Collection is a heritage brand from Florida,” he says. “I want the design to reflect that with prints, textiles, and overall ambience.”

Despite his title as the brand’s creative director—an all-important role that makes Escudero its leader in conceptualizing Rene Ruiz Collection’s aesthetic vision and conducting an orchestra of workers—he is a designer at heart.

“It’s a different experience or challenge every day,” he says of designing. “It’s never-ending challenges. And it still is to this day, and I feel lucky to be a part of it.”«

This page: A one-shoulder, draped sequined gown and a printed chiffon cocktail dress shown from start to finish.

Opposite page: Escudero at the newest Rene Ruiz boutique in Coral Gables.

By Paige Bowers

PhotograPhy By emin Kadi

ST YL MILES OF

Throughout her 30-plus-years career as a fashion stylist to celebrities and a range of private clients, Elysze Held has simply focused on doing the work, and doing it well.

“I tell you where I learned that from,” says Held, whose black-centric wardrobe is an extension of her days dressing theater actors backstage between scenes. “British actors. They do not set out to become movie stars. They set out to play the character and get the job done. So, I come from a place where it’s not about me. But now, some stylists are more important than their clients. How does that happen?”

That, of course, is a rhetorical question, asked by a person who has remained true to herself and her own exacting standards as she has watched the industry she loves change. How does it happen that people will ask her to style stars on a reality TV show, but offer her a spot on that show instead of pay?

For more than 30 years, veteran stylist and local fashion maven Elysze Held has helped countless celebrities look their best with her no-nonsense approach to personal chic

Balenciaga jacket; Prada skirt; Givenchy boots; rings and bracelets by Sevan Bicakci; diamond necklaces by Alejandra Boquete.

How does it happen that she can try something on in a boutique and have a merchant tell her how fabulous she looks, when she knows she looks anything but? Held is a person who knows you can’t just dress a person in anything, nor should you. But you can find a client the right outfit for their circumstances by asking good questions along the way.

For Held, who values working with people she can trust, sometimes that means countering an overly enthusiastic boutique employee’s “Oh my God, you look amazing!” with an “Are you kidding me? Is this some kind of joke?”

Held knows great style is no laughing matter. Born in Boston and raised in San Francisco, she always knew she would work in fashion. After studying costuming and working as a dresser for the San Francisco Conservatory Theater, she was hired by the local fashion office of Macy’s. Held became known for being so laser-focused that even a romantic overture couldn’t distract her.

“One day I was dressing models, and a guy came in and started flirting with me,” she recalls, with mischievous glint in her eye. “I was young and cute, and he was talking and going on and on. And eventually I said to him, ‘Look, you’re very cute. And I’m sure you’re wonderful, but I’m busy. So, unless you want to iron, you need to leave.’ Then the girls told me he was the art director.”

Held, as you might figure, was undaunted by that revelation, which hasn’t seemed to hurt her career trajectory one bit. She moved to Miami more than 30 years ago to become fashion director for the Lillie Rubin stores, which are no longer in business.

“I met my husband when I was here only a few weeks,” she says. “I was on a shoot. I had booked Shaun Casey, the model who was the former Estée Lauder girl. Her husband came to pick me up and he looked at me and, swear to God, he goes, ‘Your turn to get a boyfriend.’ I said, ‘Excuse me?’ He said, ‘You got a boyfriend? You’re perfect for my brother.’ So here it is 30 years later, and I’m still married to his brother.”

After Lillie Rubin, Held’s clients have included the Tate Museum in London, Ritz-Carlton Hotels, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, and Brunello Cucinelli, among others; and she has masterminded editorial styling for Haute Living and Indulge

As clients watched Held just buckle down and get the job done with aplomb, they began hiring her to help them curate their own private wardrobes. One client recently hired her to buy the wardrobe she’d need for a five-day Indian wedding that required three looks each day. Another turned to her for help assembling a summer’s worth of clothes for a multistop trip that included Africa.

“I told her, ‘Why don’t you just give me the

Sure, it’s fun to go shopping. But if you’ve snapped up a lot of great pieces and still feel like you’ve got nothing at all to wear, Held says it’s time to walk into your closet and sift through what you have. The goal? To declutter and organize.

First, she says you need to purge what you do not love. Look at each piece and ask yourself if it’s in good condition, whether you still love it, when you wore it last—and whether you’ll ever wear it again. Try on each piece and see how it looks and feels.

“Be ruthless,” Held says. “I tell my clients, ‘When in doubt, leave it out.’”

Once you’ve identified your loves and cast aside your love-nots, Held says the next step is to organize your closet in a way that makes your life easier.

CURATION

ELYSZE ON CLOSET

“Treat your closet like your own personal boutique,” she advises. “You would not go to the jeans section to buy a cocktail dress. Merchandise your items into a well-rounded wardrobe that suits and reflects your lifestyle. The idea is to create a closet environment that you can shop from every day with ease, organized in a way that gives your wardrobe a new sense of clarity.”

Creating sections for work apparel, everyday wear, date night, or “running around pieces” is a good way to accomplish a sense of cohesion in your closet. After that, organize by color, hanging items from light to dark. All your hangers should be the same. No wooden hangers mixed with basic dry-cleaner wire types.

“An organized closet saves you more than time,” she says. “It allows you to begin and end each day on a note of serenity.”

Held, sporting her “uniform” of Alexander WAng separates, scouts Miami’s chicest boutiques on behalf of her clients.

HUMBERTO VIDAL

HUMBERTO VIDAL

Jacket, skirt, and top by JBQ the Label; Prada shoes; rings, bracelets, and lockets by Sevan Bicakci; diamond necklaces by Alejandra Boquete.

I don’t have any clients who want to look the height of fashion, but they want to be at the height of themselves at their best.” “

name of your travel agent so I can get the reality of this,’” Held says. “Okay, so she was going to be on a prop plane. Well, she can’t use those heavy scarves and things like that. So, one of the things I did for her when I shopped was I looked at the weight of the fabric so I could be sure it would be appropriate for the weather. Everything had to be appropriate for the occasion. And everything had to be appropriate for her body.”

What works for a model on the catwalk won’t always work for a grande dame, socialite, or teacher in the 305, Held says. And as Miami’s own local fashion expert— she was featured in a billboard campaign for the Miami Design District—Held is well aware of what will and won’t work.

To her, it’s more important to think about the woman she’s shopping for than the label that lady may covet. Salespeople in a store don’t always see it that way, so Held is a client’s best and fiercest advocate.

“Is their intention to get the commission or is their intention to get a repeat client?” she asks with a hint of exasperation. “You know, I had a celebrity client who was going to the Kennedy Center Honors, and she asked me to come with her to this designer in Miami. So I went, and the designer showed me the fabric for my client’s dress, and I said, ‘Is there any way you can put a lightweight chiffon overlay on that?’ The designer looked at me and said, ‘Why’s that?’ And I said, ‘Because she’s going to the Kennedy Center and she’s going to be sitting for four hours and that’s a satin dress. She’s going to look like a wrinkled mess.’”

More than anything, Held says, she looks forward to clients telling her that she “nailed” the outfits she picked for them.

“I don’t have any clients who want to look the height of fashion, but they want to be at the height of themselves at their best,” Held says. “And that’s what I want to give them.” «

When it comes to selecting wardrobe staples, Held advises choosing pieces that reflect your own personal style.

“If you gravitate more to a boho style, then stick with that look,” she says. “If you love the girl boss look, then go with that. Experiment with a different style until you know it works for you. A trend is not a trend if it does not work for you.”

Whatever your aesthetic, here are 10 wardrobe staples that Held says you’ll need in your curated closet:

1. A PLAIN WHITE T-SHIRT. “THINK LAYERING,” SHE SAYS. THIS CAN EVEN INCLUDE PLAIN WHITE TANK TOPS OR CAMISOLES.

2. A WHITE SHIRT. “IT’S VERY VERSATILE,” SHE SAYS. “YOU CAN WRAP IT, TUCK IT, AND WEAR IT OVER OTHER PIECES.”

3. A LONG SKIRT OR MINI SKIRT. “LINEN, COTTON, FLORALS, OR PLAIN COLORS ALL ARE A ‘YES’. JUST MAKE SURE THE SHAPE WORKS WELL WITH YOUR BODY TYPE.”

4. A LONG DRESS OF ANY STYLE.

5. A LITTLE BLACK DRESS.

6. KNITWEAR IN NEUTRAL COLORS.

7. HIGH-HEELED SANDALS AND FLATS. ”BUT NO FLIPFLOPS,” SHE WARNS.

8. LIGHTWEIGHT JEANS THAT WORK FOR YOUR BODY SHAPE.

9. DRESS PANTS. “LEGGINGS ARE NOT PANTS,” SHE SAYS.

10. BAGS. “A TOTE, CROSSBODY BAG, OR CLUTCH ARE ALL GOOD OPTIONS.”

Location: The Sales Gallery for The Residences at 1428 Brickell (1428brickell.com)

Hair and makeup: Osvaldo Perez (osvaldoperezcosmetics.com)

On-set stylist: Alejandra Boquete (alejandraboquetedesigns.com)

Vintage Chanel dress; Eleventy Milano jacket; Givenchy boots; rings and bracelets by Sevan Bicakci; diamond necklaces by Alejandra Boquete.

INSIDE LINCOLN ROAD’S HABITAT HYETT LIES A TREASURE TROVE OF VINTAGE CLOTHING AND HOME DECOR— ALL CAREFULLY CURATED FOR MIAMIANS LOOKING TO SCORE ONE-OFA-KIND STYLE. HOW DOES CO-OWNER AND TASTEMAKER ANN HYETT FIND THE ITEMS THAT HAVE EVERYONE GOING GAGA? WE TAGGED ALONG FOR A DAY TO FIND OUT.

HeadHter

BY KRISTEN DESMOND LEFEVRE PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEVEN MARTINE

Vintage Vibes

Nestled among the bustle of Lincoln Road, you’ll find Habitat Hyett. The store is the brainchild of brother and sister duo Ann and Kyle Hyett, who scout, buy, and resell clothing, shoes, and accessories, plus decor pieces like desks, lamps, bar carts, art, and more. “The premise was everything we’d want in our habitat—whether on our bodies or in our homes,” Ann explains.

Ann discovered the value of vintage during a pandemic-era hustle, buying and reselling vintage lingerie at New York City markets. “It was very niche,” she admits. “But there was this trend where girls were wearing vintage nightgowns as dresses, and it’s still happen-

ing,” she says. Kyle says he first fell in love with vintage when plucking gems from the nowshuttered Bargain Barn in Wynwood in a bid to furnish various apartments over the years. When he’d fill up his own apartment, he found himself continuing to buy (and then reselling online) pieces that spoke to him. Eventually, he got the bug to go bigger; Ann’s success gave him the idea of teaming up to open a vintage store together. Ann agreed and moved to Miami Beach. “I gave my brother a three-year plan,” she says. “I was like: We’ll see. But now I can’t imagine moving back to New York.”

The pair targeted Lincoln Road as their dream location, and they soon found what

they were looking for: a 1940s Art Deco building complete with a cash wrap salvaged from the iconic Rose Bar from the Delano Hotel. They opened their doors just over a year ago.

When Ann and Kyle aren’t working the floor of their Lincoln Road boutique, they’re using their spidey-like style senses to find the coolest vintage around (what Kyle refers to as “the thrill of the hunt”)—and then taking it back to their store to sanitize it, repair or rework it (if needed), and resell it. Recently, we followed Ann on a buying trip to two estate sales to see how she turns forgotten fashion finds into your closet’s next sartorial star.

Inset: Lincoln Road is home to Habitat Hyett, a boutique offering curated vintage finds. Opposite Page: C0-owner Ann Hyett leans against a salvaged slab of rose quartz from the original Rose Bar at the Delano Hotel.

decor. Ann pauses at a rack of clothing. “Is this all the clothes today?” she asks. The attendants exchange a laugh. “Head back to the bedrooms,” one tells us. “There are clothes for days.” “Brace yourselves,” warns the other.

Armed with a voluminous blue bag to corral and carry her finds, Ann heads to the primary bedroom. The attendants weren’t kidding. There are clothes on every surface: piled on beds, stacked on chairs, displayed on dressers, and hung in packed closets. The lights aren’t working, so Ann uses her phone flashlight to make her way through the wares.

Otherwise, she’ll arrive later to avoid the initial tell Estate Sale 8:03am#1

She gravitates to a pair of red shoes with a kitten heel and puts them in her bag as the day’s first find—but not before examining them as closely as possible. “Shoes are tricky, and you have to really look at them,” she says. “Especially the heels, which can be broken or worn.” But these red shoes pass the test. “They’re in great condition, and kitten heels are really trending now,” Ann explains. “You can never go wrong with a red shoe. They’re a total closet staple.”

Ann’s first stop is a single-story, ranch-style home in Kendale Lakes. She’s targeted it from estatesales.net, though she also finds garage sales advertised on social media groups. The photos posted in the sale notices help her decide when to arrive: if the images look promising, she’ll show up as much as two hours early. Otherwise, she’ll arrive later to avoid the initial rush of folks who have arrived at the crack of dawn, standing in queues snaked along sidewalks and swales.

But there are no lines this morning. We’re greeted by a pair of attendants who tell us that “literally everything” is for sale. This seems to have been home to someone’s abuela, recently passed. There are quinceañera and first communion portraits of grandchildren hung on the walls, knickknacks displayed on mirrored bookcases, and a storage room filled with Christmas

She considers a beaded gown that’s giving Golden Girls vibes. “I tend to go for more wearable pieces,” she says as she shoves the dress back into the overstuffed closet. “Kyle is always choosing wild pieces like this,” she says, laughing. “I always say he was maybe a crazy ’80s party boy in a past life.”

There’s a lot of grandma-chic style here, but Ann finds timeless pieces to add her bag— among them a pair of camisoles, a Versaceinspired skirt, and a ’50s-era red kimono with a hand-embroidered back. She considers a shoulder-padded blazer just long enough to pluck an enameled bee brooch from the lapel. “Our clients are loving little pins like these,” she says as she tosses it in the bag. “They just add flair.”

Ann says brand names are important but not

paramount. In fact, she’s not so much scouting to find certain brands as she’s weeding out what not to buy; fast fashion like Zara, Target, Shein, Walmart, Costco, and the like are hard no’s. “If it’s a really cool piece—and as long as it’s not fast fashion and it’s in good shape—I’ll take it,” she says, admitting that when she’s on the fence, she’ll ask herself: “Can some hot Miami girl make this look good?” If the answer is “yes,” the piece makes it into the bag. “That’s the protocol,” she says.

Ann comes across some lingerie—a nod to her own vintage-hunting origin story. “This one’s great,” she says, holding up a silk and lace slip with spaghetti straps. “It’s got the tags on and it’s still perfectly white.” Other lingerie she comes across at the sale is a definite “no.”

“Too vintagey,” she says, returning a peignoir set to the pile she plucked it from.

Habitat Hyett sells both men’s and women’s clothing, but there is scant men’s clothing here— an attendant tells us the husband died several years ago—but Ann still scores two guayaberas in crisp linen, and a “holy grail find”: an Yves Saint Laurent dress shirt, still in its packaging. Two T-shirts catch her eye, too: one commemo-

terior, making sure clasps are working, and straps are intact), but passes on a bunch of chain mail and beaded clutches. “Oh, I love these!” she says, wistfully. “But I bought a bunch just like them two days ago. Otherwise, I’d be nabbing them for sure.”

We pass a series of long tables covered in costume jewelry that reflect decades of style. Ann says vintage jewelry is a big seller at Habitat Hyett, explaining that while vintage clothing sizing can be tricky, jewelry fits everyone. But for today, it’s not on Ann’s shopping list. “Kyle just did a big jewelry buy, so we’re all stocked up.”

rating the then-Florida Marlins’ first World Series win in 1997 and another ’80s-era Miami Heat tee. (Pro tip from specialized vintage hunters who Ann refers to as “T-shirt bros:” Look for a sewn-in tag as opposed to a label printed below the collar to identify a true vintage tee.)

Moving to the dressers, Ann paws through scarves and sunglasses among trays of perfume bottles, prayer cards, and a pile of rosaries. In a tray of miscellaneous trinkets, she picks up a small box that reads: “Novelty Ladies’ Lighter.” Ann pries the box open. It’s a lighter alright—in the shape of a penis. “What a find,” Ann says, laughing. (Perhaps abuela wasn’t as conservative as her home suggests she might have been.)

Ann makes her way to two other bedrooms—one filled with a phalanx of clothing racks, and the other with a king-size bed stacked high with piles of purses and bags in every shape and size. She adds several Y2K-style models with large buckles and hardware to her haul (checking each for a clean in-

After a quick tour around the kitchen and dining room—where the cabinet doors are flung open and items cover countertops, tables, buffets, and even a portion of the floor—we head to checkout. But not before Ann snatches up a mug emblazoned with the phrase “Bull Shit” and an ashtray that reads “Cuba.” The mug is what she calls a “Why not?” find. The ashtray, she says, is a must-buy. “You’d be surprised how popular ash-

At an estate sale in Kendale Lakes, Ann searches through room after room of clothing and accessories, scoring some closet staple skirts and bags, pieces of vintage lingerie, a pair of linen guayaberas, a hand-embroidered kimono from China, a 1997 t-shirt commemorating the Marlins' first World Series win, and a gag novelty lighter in the shape of a penis.

ANN’S DOS AND DON’TS FOR SNAGGING ONE-OF-AKIND VINTAGE TREASURES

1

Shop all sizes: Vintage clothing sizes can be inconsistent. Allowing yourself to browse through an array of sizes will greatly increase your chances of finding your dream garment.

Mix and match: Pairing vintage with your current wardrobe is a great way to dip your toes into the vintage world. Look for pieces that will compliment items you already have.

On the Ht Do: D't:

trays are. We can’t keep them in stock.”

Try it on: Vintage silhouettes and prints are vastly different from those of today. Your body has the power to transform a garment from its "strange" hanger appeal to a showstopping piece.

Allow for alterations: Say you find the perfect dress, but it hits at an undesirable length. Almost any garment can be altered for a perfect fit!

Assume the piece will be there tomorrow: There is an industry adage that goes, “Nothing haunts you more than the vintage you didn't buy.” If the item fits and you love it, snag it.

Forget the power of accessories: Vintage jewelry, purses, and scarves can jazz up any outfit.

1 2 2

3 3 4

Before checking out, Ann takes a seat on an overstuffed couch near a window and removes the items from her bag one by one to check for stains, tears, or other defects. Two or three things get the boot, but most of it returns to the bag—25 pieces in all. “The more stuff you buy, the better deal you

Shy away from delicate fabrics: People think that silk needs to be dry cleaned. Simply hand wash in cold water to save on a dry-cleaning bill. If cared for properly, silk vintage pieces will continue to live a long life.

initely a benefit to walking out there with a full bag because when you do,

via Zelle, heading out to her truck where she keeps boxes and other packing materials “just in case,” she says. With her vintage haul safely stowed, we head out to the next sale.

A price is settled on and Ann pays of

Estate9:45am Sale #2

white linen Ralph Lauren blazer with the tags still on, and a pink handbag embellished with a handbeaded, floral motif. Ann considers a chic black sheath dress by Tahari, and then puts it back. “We have so much black in the store right now,” she says. “It’s too bad because this is a great piece.”

At checkout, Rita sorts through Ann’s finds. She holds up the pink handbag and shrieks, “Where did you find this?” Ann tells her she dug it out of a box of handbags that was concealed beneath a pile of athleisure wear. “Well, it’s great,” Rita says. “Good find!”

At a townhome in Kendall, a sale coordinator named Rita tells us this is a “downsize job.” Like sale No. 1, everything is fair game. Unlike that first sale, though, the volume of items is significantly smaller.

Still, Ann bags some sweet finds: a pair of Panama hats that appear to have never been worn, a double-breasted

With Ann’s purchases from both sales secured in her truck, we make the drive to South Beach. The back room at Habitat Hyett is like a tinker’s workshop for making vintage items like-new and ready for upscale customers. There’s a workbench, a wash basin, and a pair of laundry machines, but the star here is a refrigerator-sized LG Smart Styler steam closet—which Ann and Kyle use to sanitize every item they buy. “We spend a lot of time doing laundry,” Ann admits. “Kyle is our stain-removal guru. Anything stubborn or tricky I save for him.”

Ann checks every pocket and every bag—fi nding loose change in several places. “Already a profi t!” she says, laughing. When all items are sorted, logged into inventory, cleaned, and tagged, they go out on the store’s sale floor, where customers get their fi rst look at Ann’s style-making selections. “We like to turn it around quickly,” Ann says. “Once it’s clean, it’s ready to be sold.” Perhaps a nod to Rita’s shrieks at the second estate sale, the pink beaded bag is plucked up by a customer within hours—going from discarded in a hidden box to a prized one-of-one item in some lucky Miamian’s wardrobe.

“That’s kind of the magic,” Kyle says. “It’s being able to fi nd these gems that other people haven’t valued for whatever reason, and then being able to offer them to our customers as the amazing treasures they are.” «

The pickings are slimmer at Ann's second estate sale of the day in Kendall, but a pink, beaded, floral handbag is the star score. Back at Habitat Hyett, Ann places her new finds out on the sales floor for customers to browse and buy.

BY KATHERINE LANDE

LA BOHÈME X

INSPIRATION: Jane Birkin

THE EDIT: Leopard, modern basket bags, fringe, chic shades, woven ballet flats

RUNWAY: Zimmermann

TIFFANY & CO.

Tiffany HardWare double long-link earrings in yellow gold ($3,500), tiffany.com

BOTTEGA VENETA

Small Sardine basket bag ($9,400), bottegaveneta.com

JOHANNA ORTIZ

Add Some Power Palm tote bag ($850), johannaortiz.com

The Woven Paz flat ($295),

STELLA MCCARTNEY

Fringe handbag (price upon request), stellamccartney.com

Netted ballet flats ($395), staud.clothing

SL567 sunglasses ($475), ysl.com

MARGAUX

SAINT LAURENT

Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello

SAINT

Saint Laurent

STAUD

SPINELLI KILCOLLIN

The Leilani stacked ring ($16,900), spinellikilcollin.com

JACQUEMUS

Metallic faux patent leather clutch ($1,060), jacquemus.com

THE MINIMALIST X

INSPIRATION: Carolyn Bessette Kennedy

THE EDIT: Clean-lined silhouettes, play on texture, mixed metals, one jewelry statement

RUNWAY: Lafayette 148

CHANEL

Ruthenium and crystal cuff ($2,975), chanel.com

JACQUEMUS

Leather bucket bag ($1,110), jacquemus.com

Le City mini bag in silver ($1,990), balenciaga.com

DIOR

D-Idole heeled ankle boot ($1,950), dior.com

Hera mini shoulder bag ($498), cultgaia.com

BALENCIAGA

CULT GAIA

OSCAR DE LA RENTA

The Mini Poppy handbag in blush ($2,990), oscardelarenta.com

SOCIAL SWAN X

INSPIRATION: Babe Paley

ROGER VIVIER

THE EDIT: Kitten heels, slingback pumps, top-handle handbags, special jewelry

RUNWAY: Carolina Herrera

MANOLO BLAHNIK

Maysale jewel crystal buckle mules ($1,145), manoloblahnik.com

CHANEL

Mary Jane Virgule mules in

patent leather ($1,195), rogervivier.com

Tweed handbag with sequins ($3,450), chanel.com

Diamond and 18-karat gold trefoil ear clips ($26,500), verdura.com

MISH FINE JEWELRY

Chinoiserie brooch with white topaz, diamond, pearl, 18-karat yellow gold (price upon request), mishfinejewelry.com

JIMMY CHOO

Amel 50 mesh pumps ($1,495), jimmychoo.com

VERDURA

MOD SQUAD X

INSPIRATION: Twiggy

THE EDIT: Minis, modern loafers, Mary Janes, vanity case handbags, graphic accents

RUNWAY: Gucci

FENDI

Brown metal Fendi O’Lock earrings ($770), fendi.com

GUCCI

GUCCI

Vanity Belle Vivier mini bag ($2,275), rogervivier.com

Horsebit platform loafer ($1,490), gucci.com

Rosso Ancora GG leather vanity case ($3,505), gucci.com

CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN

LOUIS VUITTON

Sweet Jane Strass ballerina flats ($2,795), christianlouboutin.com

Scott monogram handbag ($3,350), louisvuitton.com

DIOR

Miss Dior pump ($1,250), dior.com

ROGER VIVIER

LE SMOKING X

INSPIRATION: Betty Catroux

THE EDIT: Monochromatic noir, pointed-toes, high shine, heavy metals, hand-held bags

RUNWAY: Dolce & Gabbana

MICHAEL KORS COLLECTION

Manhatta leather shoulder bag ($2,200), michael kors.com

VERSACE Greca earrings ($395), versace.com

Cinch M leather handbag ($1,895), jimmychoo.com

& GABBANA

Polished pumps ($1,195), dolce gabbana.com

VERSACE

SAINT LAURENT

JIMMY CHOO

DOLCE

Slice heels ($1,175), versace.com

Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello Romy 90 patent mule ($1,090), ysl.com

ALEXANDER MCQUEEN McQueen by Seán McGirr cross-bar clutch ($2,800), alexandermcqueen.com

HERMÉS

Grand Manege detail scarf 70 ($415), hermes.com

Tweed handbag with crystal embellishments (price upon request), stellamccartney.com

TOWN & COUNTRY

INSPIRATION: Queen Elizabeth

THE EDIT: Scarves, rain boots, equestrian-inspired, tweed and tartan

RUNWAY: Prada

FENDI

Brown leather and canvas FF boots ($1,550), fendi.com

Mini doctor bag (price upon request), dior.com

Horsebit 1955 shoulder bag ($3,150), gucci.com

Platform Mary Jane with buckle (price upon request), stellamccartney.com

Over-the-knee equestrian boots ($4,640), gucci.com

GUCCI

STELLA MCCARTNEY

STELLA MCCARTNEY

DIOR

GUCCI

TO LOCAL SCHOOLS SMART GUIDE

2024

Aventura Magazine presents you with the ultimate resource filled with detailed information to make your school choice easier.

AMERICAN HERITAGE SCHOOLS, BROWARD CAMPUS

Open House: October 19 - Virtual (Pre-K 3 - 12th grades)

American Heritage Schools provides a rigorous and well-rounded college preparatory education with superior programs in academics, the arts, and athletics for students in grades Pre-K 3 through twelfth grades.

Its Lower School offers advanced courses, including honors math and honors math competition for accelerated students in grades four through six; 15 elective classes are also integrated into all students’ daily schedules.

Its Upper School offers 138 Honors courses, 30 Advanced Placement courses, 6 Pre-Professional Programs—pre-med, pre-law, pre-engineering, biomedical engineering, computer science, and business and entrepreneurship, and a Science Research Institute that solves real-world

issues. Over 100 student-run clubs and honor societies are available at all grade levels.

Many of the accolades of American Heritage Schools include: number one K-12 private school in Florida by Niche; number one high school in Florida for highest number of National Merit Scholars; number one in Florida for highest number of Presidential Scholar Candidates; 93% passing rate on all Advanced Placement exams (66 percent passing rate in Florida, 70 percent passing rate globally); average AP test score is four; top five team in the U.S. in Model UN; numerous fine arts awards at the national and state levels, including thespians, chorus, band, orchestra, and art.

★ THE STATS ★ YEARFOUNDED: 1965 GRADES SERVED: Pre-K (3 years old) – Grade 12 CURRENT ENROLLMENT:

2,900 STUDENT-FACULTY RATIO: 5:1 GRADUATION RATE: 100% UNIFORMS REQUIRED? Yes TUITION: $32,800 to $42,700 TOP AWARDS/RECOGNITIONS: No. 1 K-12 Private School in Florida by Niche // No. 1 high school in Florida for highest number of National Merit Scholars // No. 1 school in Florida for highest number of Presidential Scholar Candidates // No. 1 private school in the U.S. in math competition // No. 1 high school in Florida in science fair competition // Top one percent in the U.S. in speech & debate

12200 W. Broward Blvd., Plantation // 954-472-0022 // ahschool.com

MIAMI COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL

Founded in 1938, Miami Country Day School (MCDS), is an independent, coeducational, nonprofit learning community designed to empower every student every day, everywhere to learn with vigor, explore with purpose, strive for excellence, and serve with honor, respect, and compassion as global citizens. MCDS sits on a sprawling 22-acre campus 10 minutes north of downtown Miami, has approximately 1,250 students from 26 nations who speak 19 languages. Students benefit from a 9-to-1 student-to-teacher ratio and 240 full-time faculty and staff members, 66 percent of whom hold advanced degrees.

Through thought-provoking, analytic, philanthropic, and studentcentered experiences, an MCDS education is relevant and provides the foundation students need for success beyond the classroom. MCDS is a beacon for learning and engagement, and the launchpad of young

people of substance and consequence. The school’s focus on inclusion, belonging, global education, integration of community life, and growth experiences that are deep and powerful for every student ensure its continuation of the modern manifestation of what it means to be a “country day school.”

MCDS is proud to announce Impact Studio, an innovative, immersive project and place-based academic program for ninth graders. The program will launch this fall, and its first classes will begin in August.

MCDS is recognized for its academic excellence as a member of and accredited by: National Association of Independent Schools, Florida Council of Independent Schools, SAIS, COGNIA, SACAC, ACCIS, NAIS, FKC, CASE, CRIS, College Board, ERB, and the American Library Association.

THE STATS ★ YEARFOUNDED: 1938 GRADES SERVED: Pre-K 3 – Grade 12 CURRENT ENROLLMENT: 1,270

STUDENT-FACULTY RATIO: 9:1 GRADUATION RATE: 100% UNIFORMS REQUIRED? Yes TUITION: $30,500, to $40,700 TOP AWARDS/RECOGNITIONS: MCDS is recognized for its academic excellence as a member of and accredited by: National Association of Independent Schools, Florida Council of Independent Schools, SAIS -, COGNIA, SACAC, ACCIS, NAIS, FKC, CASE, CRIS, College Board, ERB, and the American Library Association

601 NE 107th Street, Miami // 305-779-7200 // miamicountryday.org

BOLD FLAVORS, COOL COCKTAILS, AND LOCAL FAVORITES

OPENINGS

GIMME, GIMME MOORE

Arguably the Miami Design District’s most electrifying adaptive reuse to date, the Neoclassicalstyle, four-story Moore complex hailing from the Roaring ‘20s has been thoughtfully reimagined. Today, the building comprises a private membersonly club, a boutique hotel, and the drop-deadgorgeous restaurant, Elastika. Occupying the first floor of the open-plan building and nestled under its namesake commission by late artist and architect Zaha Hadid, Elastika is testament to the vibrant flavors, design, and hyper-creative edge—past and present—that has branded Miami a global cultural phenomenon.

In this mesmerizing, high-design space, executive chef Joe Anthony leads diners on a soulful, globally inspired epicurean journey rooted in

sustainable local farming and clean eating. Anticipate an impressive menu that starts with the likes of Florida tomato gazpacho with pickled tomatillo and avocado, aged kingfish crudo with fermented farro, local kohlrabi and cucumber “aguachile,” and eggplant and sheep’s milk ravioli serviettes. Next, relish the multi-dimensional flavor profiles of the spice-seared diver scallops over snap pea puree or the pork “rib eye.” Be sure to leave room for an Instagram-worthy dessert of pavlova filled with local guava and strawberry compote. In total, this is the Design District’s ultimate destination dining experience, offering sublime design while catering to the eco-minded, foodie-forward desires currently defining the restaurant landscape. (elastikamiami.com) —Paul Rubio

TODD COLEMAN, COURTESY OF WOODHOUSE

SIX NEW SPICY SERVINGS

MAKE ROOM IN YOUR SPICE RACK FOR SIX OF THE MAGIC CITY’S HOTTEST TABLES MAKING THEIR DEBUT APPEARANCE IN THIS YEAR’S MIAMI SPICE LINEUP OF DEEPLY DISCOUNTED, PRIX-FIXE THREE-COURSE MEALS

BY PAUL RUBIO

X

What: Sereia

Where: Coconut Grove

The Buzz: This modern, seafood-centric restaurant by esteemed Portuguese celebrity chef Henrique Sá Pessoa (of two Michelinstarred Alma fame) fills a long-standing void in the Miami dining scene for wow-factor Iberian gastronomy. The extensive, three-course Miami Spice menu allows patrons to choose from four appetizers, four mains, plus desserts, and features many of the chef’s most popular dishes including the wahoo curado (cured wahoo, sweet potato puree, lime, and salicornia) and bacalhau à brás (shredded salted cod, onions, and potatoes, all bound with egg).

Know Before You Go: Dinner offered Wednesday through Saturday, $60. (sereia.miami)

What: Kissaki

Where: South Beach

What: Casadonna

Where: Edgewater

The Buzz: Occupying the ground floor of the near-century-old Miami Woman’s Club (a Mediterranean-revival building on the National Register of Historic Places), this stunning indoor-outdoor bayside restaurant attracts an easy-on-the-eyes crowd eager to indulge in solid coastal Italian cuisine and pose for the ‘gram among photo-worthy blush pink furnishings. On September’s Spice menu, start light with the tuna carpaccio (bathed in citrus, watermelon, and pickled Fresno chili), then feast on the campanelle Bolognese with whipped ricotta, and cap the evening off with refreshing lemon tiramisu for dessert.

Know Before You Go: Dinner offered Sunday through Thursday, $60 (casadonnamiami.com)

The Buzz: This acclaimed New York transplant is an exercise in Japanese culinary excellence, using ingredients flown in from Japan and executed to perfection. Standing out among Miami Spice Asian offerings, Kissaki has priced its premium three-course menu at $45. (Can we say, “Arigato.”) Indulge in a four-piece nigiri flight with the chef’s signature selections, fill up on Wagyu-fried rice (crowned by a poached Jidori egg and scallion), and end the meal with peach cobbler, topped with Japanese vanilla ice cream.

Know Before You Go: Dinner offered Wednesday through Sunday, $45 (explorekissaki.com)

MIAMI SPICE

RUBEN CABRERA NGOC MINH NGO

What: Toku

Where: Aventura

The Buzz: This snazzy Asian restaurant at Aventura Mall dazzles with a design that incorporates nineteenth-century Japanese elements, Buddhist worship, Chinese mythology, and even Wynwood street art. The seductive interiors are matched by excellent pan-Asian cuisine. Highlights from Toku’s trifecta of Miami Spice menus include a dim sum sampler at brunch, crispy rice with spicy tuna followed by sesame chicken at lunch, and a three-course dinner of tuna pizza, miso black cod with shishito pepper salad, and a warm brownie with matcha Chantilly.

Know Before You Go: Lunch offered daily, $35. Brunch offered Saturday and Sunday, $35. Dinner offered Sunday through Thursday, $60. (tokumodernasian.com)

What: Pastis

Where: Wynwood

The Buzz: The much-hyped Miami outpost of the iconic New York City bistro is every bit the excitement of the original. Interiors are almost identical—including the signature subway tiles, red banquettes, and curved zinc bar—and the menu embraces its counterpart’s distinctly French portfolio of bistro classics. Look forward to some of Pastis’ best on their Miami Spice menus, including escargots drenched in garlic-parsley butter, the famed cheeseburger à l’américaine, chicken paillard, and crème brûlée.

Know Before You Go: Lunch offered Monday through Friday, $35. Dinner offered Sunday through Thursday, $45 (pastismiami.com)

What: Ostrow Brasserie

Where: Buena Vista

The Buzz: French-born chef Olivia Ostrow showcases the best of French cuisine—with an unlikely Kosher twist—at her charming neighborhood brasserie (certified under Kosher Miami supervision). For Miami Spice, look forward to two menus at different price points, each with a different spin on Ostrow’s greatest hits: the first ($45) with staples like French onion soup, poulet à la moutarde (mustard chicken), and tarte tatin (apple tart); the second ($60) offers more elevated delights, beginning with filet mignon carpaccio with fresh truffles, followed by a brasserie lamb and blue cheese burger (or a seared tuna burger) served with hand-cut fries, and finished by Ostrow’s award-winning chocolate mousse.

Know Before You Go: Dinner offered Sunday through Thursday, $45 or $60 (ostrowbrasserie.com)

A PAIR OF OUR FAVORITE HANGOUTS ARE RETURNING TO MIAMI SPICE’S LINEUP THIS MONTH AND WE COULDN’T BE HAPPIER

What: Doya

Where:

Wynwood

The Buzz: Doya transports diners to the kitchens of eastern Greece and rural Turkey with dishes prepared in a theatrical open kitchen and accompanying meze bar. On the restaurant’s Miami Spice menu, try mainstays like classic muhammara (roasted red pepper, pomegranate, walnuts, garlic, and breadcrumbs) with pita, Turkish flatbread (pide) laced with black truffle and kasseri cheese, and baklava with pistachio for dessert.

Know Before You Go: Lunch offered daily, $35. (doyarestaurant.com)

What: Joe’s Stone Crab

Where: South Beach

The Buzz: This South Beach icon has been cracking Florida’s prized stone crab claws for over a century. While dining here typically requires deep pockets, Miami Spice presents an opportunity to sample Joe’s on the cheap. The restaurant’s Spice offerings include a lunch menu and two dinner menus (one $45, the other $60). We suggest the latter, which includes a stone crab bisque starter, followed by a quarter fried chicken and three select-size stone crab claws (with the option of upgrading to a full order of select-size claws for $20, or large-size claws for $45). Finish things off with Joe’s epic key lime pie.

Know Before You Go: Lunch offered Friday through Sunday, $35. Dinner offered Wednesday through Sunday, $45 or $60. (joesstonecrab.com)

SIP&SAVOR

Hidden among the bustle of Fifth Street on South Beach, Orilla Bar & Grill is an unexpected refuge of soothing design and a familyrun gastronomic treasure that’s quietly thrived by word-of-mouth for over five years. Though officially a modern Argentinean steakhouse, Orilla’s excellence extends well beyond its prime cuts. The restaurant masterfully blends bold South American flavors with its Josper grill and a diverse, ingredientfocused menu that includes ample vegetarian and seafood options.

The quintessential Orilla experience begins with a warm loaf of bread accompanied by labneh, paired with the first of many expertly crafted cocktails. A standout is the Life of Riley, a unique twist

of chimichurri oil, and caviar-stuffed Castelvetrano olives. To start, we suggest sharing a few exceptional appetizers like the mahi mahi tiradito in coconut milk vinaigrette and the grilled calamari atop romesco sauce. For the main course, dishes cooked to perfection on the Josper grill await.

Consider the 14-ounce prime New York steak with chimichurri sauce or the butterfly branzino with champagne garlic sauce. Complement your meal with sides like zucchini carpaccio with shaved almonds or roasted Brussels sprouts in brown butter and black garlic dressing. Regardless of the dishes you choose, we’re confident you will leave

PERUVIAN PERFECTION

At Jarana, a new Gaston Acurio-backed Peruvian restaurant in Esplanade at Aventura, delight in an ethnic extravaganza of ceviches, causas, antichuchos, traditional street foods, stewed meats, and national cocktails (pisco sour, anyone?). The extensive menu features dozens of craveworthy, delectable dishes. Here are three to not miss. (jaranaraestaurant.com) —P.R.

CONCHITAS À LA PARMESANA

This signature hot appetizer features four Hokkaido scallops beautifully served on the halfshell and topped with bubbling Parmesan cheese and a citrus zest.

CEBICHE NIKKEI

3 1 2 X

The highlight of Jarana’s cebiche bar—which includes eight varieties of cebiches and tiraditos—is this top seller, made with massive cubes of soft red tuna marinated in tamarindo and soy sauce leche de tigre and accompanied by cucumber coins and avocado slices.

Among Jarana’s family-style dishes (which easily feed two to three), try this fresh, whole-fried snapper—diced and deboned for ease yet reconfigured for aesthetic value—with sweet and spicy Nikkei sauce and crispy broccoli.

PESCADO FRITO NIKKEI

MINDFUL MIXOLOGIST

Toast to the Negroni

THE

ICONIC BITTERSWEET COCKTAIL IS FETED THIS MONTH

BY JULES ARON

The Negroni, like most good cocktails, has a debated past and a beloved following. It’s said that in 1919, Count Camillo Negroni invented the cocktail when he ordered an Americano with gin instead of sparkling water at the Caffe Casoni in Florence. The accidental cocktail took his name and quickly became a hit.

With the perfect blend of Campari, gin, and red vermouth, the iconic bittersweet cocktail will be celebrated around the world, including South Florida, for a week this month. Italy’s iconic aperitif Campari teams up with Imbibe magazine for its twelfth annual charity initiative during Negroni Week September 16-22, with classic and custom versions of the cocktail offered at participating restaurants.

Start your own Negroni journey with the classic rendition or give a variation a try. (negroniweek.com)

Negroni

Ingredients

1 oz. Campari

1 oz. gin

Orange peel garnish

X1 oz. sweet red vermouth

« Stir ingredients into glass. Pour over ice. Garnish with an orange peel. For a delicious twist, try substituting 1 oz. gin with 1 oz. mezcal.

The Kilinga Bacanora, a regional mezcal made with the Agave angustifolia plant is smooth and shares the qualities and complexities of fine gin, with notes of green herbs, hibiscus flower, and citrus. Other ingredients and method are the same as the classic recipe.

Our newly renovated fourth floor is ready for you to see! Visit The Sterling Aventura and explore modernized common areas and stylish assisted living apartments that fit your every need. While you’re here, savor a restaurant-style meal on us and meet our exceptional executive chef. This is your chance to experience firsthand why residents love calling The Sterling Aventura home. OUT WITH

to schedule your complimentary meal and tour today.

HOME

FROM CITY TO SHORE, THE FINE ART OF MIAMI LIVING

GALLERY GETAWAY

To achieve their desire for a family getaway that could also showcase their modern art collection, two New York City homeowners gravitated to the sleek gallery allure of the Residences by Armani Casa tower in Sunny Isles Beach. Their 3,200-square-foot condo offers dramatic ocean vistas from the living area and primary suite, while three additional bedrooms feature sweeping views of Biscayne Bay and Miami’s skyline.

The clients turned to the tailored approach of international interior designers Satomi-Yoshida Katz and her husband and partner, Todd Katz. Owners of the New York, New Jersey, and Japan-based firm Yoshida + Zanon Design

Atrium (YZDA), Satomi and Todd’s primary challenge was maintaining maximum ceiling heights while also integrating a dynamic lighting system to accurately illuminate the art.

“Based on the clients’ request to showcase their art and layer in pops of color, we curated the design around several calm and soothing whites—which allow the furniture, decorative lighting, and artwork to shine” says Satomi.

In the condo’s entry, custom color-blocked slide doors by Glas Italia integrate with the art collection, enclosing a private den and office. The dining area dazzles with lacquered glass, mirror finishes, hot pink chairs, and artwork, titled Mad Men, by Toni Sanchez.

Overhead, a Quasar Spectre chandelier achieves balance through asymmetry.

The homeowners have found their Sunny Isles retreat offers a soothing respite from their metro New York lifestyle. Their beachside haven has become the most fantastic family getaway.

“We always endeavor to create spaces that reflect our clients’ tastes and lifestyles while remaining inviting, comfortable, and functional to live in,” notes Todd. “The homeowners’ unwavering trust in us was paramount to realizing a successful project—and for that, we are most grateful.” (yzdesignatrium. com) —Jeanne De Lathouder

HOME

BY DESIGN

FASHION-FORWARD FURNISHINGS

OUTFIT YOUR HOME WITH WARDROBE-WORTHY ITEMS INSPIRED BY THE MOST LUXE NAMES IN FASHION

BY ALENA CAPRA

When you think of luxury fashion brands, clothing, shoes, and accessories may spring to mind. However, many fashion houses offer a range of items for the home, as well. These can include furnishing, table setting, wall covering, rug, and pillow collaborations between fashion houses and home-design brands. Here’s a look at a few of my favorite ways to add some wardrobelike wow to your home. (alenacapradesigns. com)

HIGH-FASHION FURNITURE

TABLE TOP

A beautiful place setting on a table is akin to a gorgeous piece of jewelry that completes an outfit. Most high-end fashion brands—including Dior, Gucci, Roberto Cavalli, Hermès, and Fendi—offer an extension of their signature patterns and logos in a range of plates, bowls, saucers, cups, and even napkin rings and place mats. Whether you use just one piece or an entire place setting, it’s a sure way to make a fashionable statement for your next special gathering.

The attention to details in designer clothing and accessories is also reflected in their furniture lines—featuring embellished stitching, adorned accents, and luxe hardware. Roberto Cavalli Home and Fendi Casa are two brands that offer a wide range of sofas, chairs, dining tables, bedroom furniture, storage pieces, and even dog beds!

FASHIONABLE FLOORS

Extend fashion to the floor with tile from Versace Ceramics. Collections include luxe stone looks, the brand’s iconic Medusa, and other patterns synonymous with the fashion house. You can even go a step further with area rugs that feature classic embossed logos or patterns in luxurious carpeting from the likes of Fendi Casa and Roberto Cavalli Home.

FINISHING TOUCHES

An easy way to bring a touch of your favorite designer brand into your home is with smaller accent pieces that make a big statement. Consider pillows and throw blankets or small tabletop accessories, vases, and even paperweights that are sure to add style to any space

ADORNED APPLIANCES

Dolce & Gabbana teamed up with appliance manufacturer, Smeg, for a collab featuring boldly patterned and colorful countertop appliances, as well as larger appliances for the kitchen. This fashion-forward collection includes everything from toasters, juicers, and mixers to ranges, range hoods, and refrigerators—all clad in classic D&G prints and patterns.

WALL COUTURE

DRESS UP YOUR WALLS IN ICONIC, PATTERNS—WHETHER THEY’RE TOILE, FLORAL, GEOMETRIC, OR ANIMAL PRINTS. THERE IS A STATEMENT WALL COVERING FOR EVERY FASHION LOVER, FROM BRANDS LIKE GUCCI, HERMÈS, VERSACE, ROBERTO CAVALLI, AND MORE.

COURTESY

ELEMENTS

Study Guide

GIVE YOUNG MINDS A PLACE TO FLOURISH WITH THIS FRESH SELECTION OF DECOR ITEMS PERFECT FOR A DEDICATED STUDY SPACE

BY LIZA GRANT SMITH

POT

LUCK

This money tree ($42) from Costa Farms offers the feng shui benefit of good luck as well as the scientifically proven benefit of cleaner air, making it a great way to stack the odds toward academic success. Costa Farms, Miami (costafarms.com)

BUNGEE JUMP

QUICK STUDY

Designer Deborah Wecselman of Wecselman Design stayed focused when envisioning this study space. “The goal here was a ‘learning focus,’” she says. “We wanted to create a distraction-free area for study, using a more quiet design that offers good artificial and natural lighting.” Miami (wecselmandesign.com)

LIGHT BRIGHT

The Z-Bar light ($338) from Koncept has a brightnessadjustable LED head that can spin in its socket, sweep side to side, and rotate around the end of the arm to point in any direction that bright minds should be focusing. Capitol Lighting, Fort Lauderdale (capitollighting.com)

A celebration of style, comfort, and functionality, this Bungee office chair ($180) from The Container Store features a unique bungee cord system for back support and comes in fun shades like rainbow or blue ombre. The Container Store, Hallandale Beach, Miami (containerstore.com)

READY TO ROLL

This woven tiered storage cart ($89) by Pottery Barn Kids lets them roll organization wherever their next project takes them. Pottery Barn Kids, Fort Lauderdale, Coral Gables (potterybarn kids.com)

ZIG ZAG

ZEST

SUNSHINE STATE OF MIND

Add a geometric slant to the space with Crate & Kids’ fun Ziggy flatweave wool and cotton rug ($800 for 8’x10’). Crate & Barrel, Hallandale Beach, Coral Gables (crateand barrel.com)

Embroidered in brilliant colors, this pillow ($78) delivers a geography lesson on the

delightful destinations of Florida. Gifts and More at The Paper Store, Sunrise (thepaperstore.com)

SOUND DECISION Harness the proven power of white noise to improve focus and concentration with Tuft & Needle’s Snooz machine ($110). Best Buy locations (bestbuy.com)

COSTAS PICADAS

SOCIAL STUDIES

SEEN ON THE SCENE IN SOUTH FLORIDA

FRENCH KISS

WHO: The Collection Maserati and World Red Eye

WHAT: An Evening with Chef Thomas A. Keller

WHERE: Bouchon, Coral Gables

HIGHLIGHTS: Guests were greeted by a fleet of Maserati vehicles, followed by a dinner showcasing Keller’s most renowned dishes.

MARC SHWARZBERG, THOMAS KELLER, JOSE ORTEGA

KARINA AND JOSE ORTEGA, LAURA CUNNINGHAM

CAMILA CUEVAS, JOHN ANDREW

SPENCER MORRIS, ANDRES FANJUL, DANIEL DE LA VEGA

THOMAS KELLER, ADRIENNE BON HAES, MARVIN ROSS FRIEDMAN, SETH BROWARNIK

THOMAS KELLER

LISSETT RINCON, JAVIER ROMERO

THOMAS KELLER, OLEE FOWLER, MICK AINGER

CINDY PRADO

SOCIAL STUDIES

CASA CHIC

WHO: Casa Neos WHAT: Casa Neos Grand Unveiling with Louis Vuitton WHERE: Casa Neos, Miami HIGHLIGHTS: The new hospitality concept by Riviera Dining Group celebrated its grand unveiling with an exclusive event that featured a poolside takeover by Louis Vuitton, inspired by the Maison’s LV By the Pool Resort collection.

GABRIEL CORONEL, DANIELA OSPINA

JENCARLOS CANELA, OLIVIA ELLIOTT

LIZ AND VIOLET CAMACHO

RACQUEL NATASHA

KAROLINA KURKOVA, ARCHIE DRURY

REGINA MASKOW, JARAD GONZALEZ

TATIANA SEIKALY, CHIARA DI GIALORENZO

THALIA DEHAM

TYLER

SOCIAL STUDIES

WELL-HEELED

WHO: The Power of the Heels Foundation WHAT: A Woman’s Day: Embracing Disruption with Endless Opportunities WHERE: Living Sculpture Sanctuary, Davie HIGHLIGHTS: Guests were treated to presentations from a variety of speakers—including Bertha Baum, Tamara Filgueiras, Gloria Garces, Nicole Shelley, Valentina Izarra, Mercedes Yahia, Sandra Coiffman, and Katie Nicholl—who offered inspiring messages on how to find the positives in any situation.

ADRIANA MADRINAN, GLADYS MEZRAHI, CHANTALE MILORD, GINGER JOSEPH, NEKEISHA BASCOMBE, MARIA CLARA OSORIO

ANNETTE TADDEO, LUZ WEINBERG KATIE NICHOLL, GLADYS MEZRAHI

SHAHNOZA ORIPOVA, YELENA BRASLAVSKAYA

GLADYS MEZRAHI, NICOLE SHELLEY

MERCEDES YAHIA GLORIA GARCES, KATIE NICHOLL

BERTHA BAUM, GLORIA GARCES, NICOLE SHELLEY, VALENTINA IZARRA

SOCIAL STUDIES

IN THE SWIM

Miami Swim Week 2024 presented cutting-edge swimwear looks in a series of three marquis showcases:

1. MIAMI SWIM WEEK POWERED BY ART HEARTS FASHION

Standout shows featured Willfredo Gerardo, Giannina Azar, Hunk, Gyv Me Body, and the Black Tape Project.

2. MIAMI SWIM WEEK THE SHOWS

The four-day event offered shows by Elle Resortwear, Venus, Amarotto, Ema Savahl, and Haitian Doll by Jo Bella, among others.

3. PARAISO MIAMI SWIM WEEK

Collins Park tent shows included favorites Luli Fama, Sinesia Karol, Azulu, and Hunting Hue.

DESIGNER WILLFREDO GERARDO

BLACK TAPE PROJECT

WILLFREDO GERARDO

WILLFREDO GERARDO

GIANNINA AZAR

GYV ME BODY

HUNK HUNK

GIANNINA AZAR

EMA SAVAHL

HAITIAN DOLL BY JO BELLA

EMA SAVAHL

AZULU

LESLIE AMON

SINESIA KAROL LULI FAMA

AMAROTTO SWIMWEAR AMAROTTO SWIMWEAR

LAST WORD

ON THE RECORD WITH...

MATTHEW CHEVALLARD

Footwear founder Matthew Chevallard finds inspiration everywhere—in sneaker culture, art, food, and even wine. At 19 years old, the Miami Beach resident started his first luxury brand, Del Toro, specializing in shoes and accessories made in Chevallard’s native Italy ( named for his favorite soccer team, Torino Football Club). After the successful sale of Del Toro in 2019, Chevallard launched two more high-end footwear brands: Concetto Limone—a line of loafers and mules crafted from woven raffia and leather—and Blu Scarpa. The celeb-favorite line of tennis-inspired, handcrafted shoes and accessories give a nod to the sports fashion and lifestyle of the 1980s but also honors the Italian essence of la dolce vita. Aventura caught up with Chevallard to get his take on all things style. (concettolimone.com; bluscarpa.com) —Kristen Desmond LeFevre

My full name is… Matthew Chevallard. I live in… Miami Beach. I grew up in… Torino, Italy and Palm Beach. I first became interested in fashion when… I started collecting soccer jerseys and Oakley [sunglasses]. My first foray into fashion was… Del Toro. My next project was… Blu Scarpa. Blu Scarpa embodies… ‘80s and ‘90s luxury sportswear. Designing footwear is special because… it is often referred to as one of the items that shows one’s personality most. Being fashionable means… having style, specifically one’s own. Three fashion pieces I can’t live without are… my shoes, jewelry, and watch. Fashion items I collect include… sneakers and watches, among other things. Art impacts my fashion creations because… it inspires and stimulates. The first piece of art I ever bought was… a Kaws lithograph. Today, my art collection includes… Arte Povera from Italy. It’s my favorite. Three Miami-based artists I’m loving right now are… Johnny Robles, Ernesto Kunde, and Hernan Bas. My average day is… interacting with Italy and going to the Design District while I’m home in Miami. Three independent fashion brands I’m loving right now are… Bode, Massimo Alba, and Blu Scarpa, of course! When I’m not

working, you’ll find me… traveling. When I want to relax… I stay home with my fiancée and my dogs. One bad habit I cannot break is… potato chips. If you’re coming to my house for dinner, I will probably… cook a Bolognese. If you’re going to pour me a drink, make it… some good vino or Japanese whiskey. If I’m eating out in Miami, I’ll book a table at… Boia De. If I could give my younger self advice, it would be… trust the process. Whenever someone tells me they want to start a fashion line, I tell them… cut your teeth and be ready for lots of work and limited fun! My biggest success has been… channeling my passion to start a business. The best thing about my job is… I get to do what I love.

RICHARD

ON THE SHELF, OFF YOUR MIND