Dwyane Wade: Fashion's Next Big Shoe Designer?
We know that Dwyane Wade can bring the Heat (pun intended) on the basketball court, but now the star athlete is flexing his muscles in another way — fashion design. D. Wade recently collaborated with the high-end loafer brand Del Toro to create several cutting-edge shoes. How did this unlikely pairing come about, you ask? Del Toro designer Matthew Chevallard tells us he originally created a couple of custom-made pairs for Wade, but the Heat player was so enamored, the company suggested he try out designing on his own. And the rest, as they say, is history.
As of now, the shoes aren't available for the masses (the limited-edition pairs live only in Dwyane's closet), but here'sto hoping he one day designs a full-scale collection. In the meantime, check out our slideshow of the kicks, and revel in the star's many talents. Just, please, no singing career...
Photo: Courtesy of Del Toro
Photo: Courtesy of Del Toro
3 Mother/Daughter Teams That Inspire Us (And Run Miami Fashion, Too!)
Maybe there's something in the water, but the mother/daughter relationships in Miami are incredibly special. Certainly ladies share deep maternal bonds everywhere, and we aren't suggesting our maternal relationships are any better than those forged in other cities, but Miami is home to a host of ultra-creative mother/daughter teams. From one of our city's most recognizable labels to our go-to accessories haunt, some of the best the 305 has to offer is helmed by incredible moms and their children.
Three local leaders in beauty, fashion, and accessories opened up to us about teaming up with their parent, spilling the ins and outs of mother/daughter entrepreneurship. Not only do such fashionable families make Miami proud, but these stories might provide inspiration for your next big adventure...with your mama by your side, of course.
Photo: Courtesy of Gee Beauty
Three local leaders in beauty, fashion, and accessories opened up to us about teaming up with their parent, spilling the ins and outs of mother/daughter entrepreneurship. Not only do such fashionable families make Miami proud, but these stories might provide inspiration for your next big adventure...with your mama by your side, of course.
Photo: Courtesy of Gee Beauty
A Sexy, New Summer Collection Cures Your South Beach Setbacks
When you’re out looking for those effortless evening looks, you’re more often disappointed than not. Something doesn’t fit right, the bandage look is smothering in the heat, or you’ve tried on so many sequins, you look like you could be related to a disco ball. Thankfully, New York City native and University of Miami student Annabel Schwartz feels our pain, and with the recent launch of her clothing line Sibling Rivalry’s website, she may be able to help with our sexy sartorial woes.
"Despite my best efforts to shop the latest trends, there was always something that needed to be tweaked," Schwartz comments, regarding the motivation behind creating Sibling Rivalry. Her first collection for spring '12 features silky fabrics draped in all the right ways, revealing just as much or little of what you’d like to flaunt.
While Sibling Rivalry is definitely all about strutting your stuff, it does leave some room for interpretation. "Key features like plunging necklines, open backs, or shorter hems leave the pieces to be coveted, but room to make it your own," Schwartz adds about the ease of putting your own spin on the simple pieces. Dresses and rompers make up the collection and range from $200 to $700, all of which are now available on the Sibling Rivalry website. "The Sibling Rivalry girl is smart and cultured, and leaves an impression wherever she goes — she’s our It Girl," Schwartz says. We have no doubt that in these threads it'll be impossible not to feel like an A-lister. Leave the bandage skirt at home, people, these silky smokeshows are comin’ in hot, and Miami’s the perfect place for their debut.
Photo: Courtesy of Sibling Rivalry
This Stylish New Beachwear Line Has Built-In SPF
Sometimes sun protection isn’t so stylish. Sure, you can sit under an umbrella looking as chic as you wish, but we all know that’s not going to happen the entire time you’re at the beach. And then, of course, sloshing sunscreen on yourself every hour isn’t necessarily the most convenient way to protect your skin either. But, alas, we live in Miami and something needs to be done to make sure we all don’t turn into wrinkly leather messes when we grow old and gray. Fortunately, we been hearing buzz about a new, stylish line of sun-protective resortwear hitting the beach scene, and while we may have a little past style judgment when it comes to "sun proof" gear, we were pleasantly surprised.
Created by Town & Country’s Creative Director Alexandra Kotur and partner Tiffany Moller, Parasol is debuting flattering and lightweight Italian knit pieces that protect against 98% of the sun’s damaging rays. With sensitive skin in mind, the line was created with zero chemical coatings and is available for both women and girls (you can match!) for prices ranging from $95 to $295. The collection has everything from swim shirts to dresses, mini skirts and sarongs, all with crisp, classic shapes, colors, and patterns. With summer right around the corner (and don't forget Mother’s Day), we’re looking forward to tryin’ out this new line for our next boat/beach/pool day. Photo: Courtesy of Parasol
House Of Holland's Miami Punk Now On Sale
Mixing old school British punk with sunset-hued pastels inspired by Miami Beach might seem incongruous, but the high-waisted, pink-and-pleats sensibility works for House of Holland. The avant-garde British label turned local (for them) and local (for us) for their spring '12 collection, which had Rorschach-like graphic blots on top of lavenders, mints, and pale orange. These maxi-dresses and separates are perfect for a Magic City summer and fortunately, they are now available (finally!) at Opening Ceremony right now.
The OC offerings include key pieces from the collection à la netted shirts and the plaid, pleated skirt (which is a cheeky staple for any gal), but is sadly lacking the snakeskin leather that Holland used give a nod to The 305. Though the marriage of punk and pastel might sound weird, the structured and, dare we say, fierce pieces and lots of fun details (gauze-y shirts, leather collars) feels like a perfect homage to the place we call home.
Photos: Via Opening Ceremony
Taxidermy Fashion: Are Shoes Made From Mice Now A Thing?
Integrating taxidermy and fashion might come as a shock, but it’s nothing new in the designer world. German designer Iris Schieferstein released a shoe collection earlier this year featuring horse hooves, stuffed doves, and snakes, while the widely praised Alexander McQueen struck fans with antlers, bird cadavers, and adorned dresses with pheasant feathers in his fall '06 collection. Sure, it may take the riskier of fashion forwards like Lady Gaga (who also wore a dress made out of raw meat) to be the first wearing these eccentric pieces, but who says they won’t become more of an ongoing trend if you're down with, say, fur.
Divya Anantharaman, Miami native and recent winner on Lifetime’s 24 Hour Catwalk, is the next in line to release a taxidermy fashion line, complete with bunny slippers and white mouse pumps. Starting as a hobby, Anantharaman integrated her passion for fashion design with her fix for taxidermy after stuffing her first mouse four years ago, and has been mesmerized by the practice ever since. Her winnings from 24 Hour Catwalk are finally letting her dream become a reality with the launch of her shoe collection (word on the street for potential names of the collection includes “Ampoule” or “Friends Forever”), set to release in just two months. Are you down to try out this trend, or does it have you clinging to your pet kitten? Please, we need to know. (Observer)
Photo: Via The Observer and "Butterfly", Courtesy of Divya Anantharaman
Mom Jeans No More! Rock This New Miami Line Of Vintage Cut-Offs
Mom jeans. We all know the term well, and our derrières avoid this type of denim at all costs. While the infamous mom jeans had their hayday back in the ‘80’s, all the vintage hoo-rah has really brought them back on the scene. Some of us react in widespread panic, seeing a denim pair that falls under the unflattering category and turning away in disgust, and others, specifically Miami bloggers Eugenia Alliegro & Simonett Pereira of The Goodwill Project, see it as an opportunity.
As the brains behind The Goodwill Project, Eugy and Simonett are pros at turning the old into something renewed, fresh, and trendy. Their blog demonstrates this knack of DIY skill by showing off outfits created from pieces bought at Goodwill. Now they’ve decided to share their vision by creating a line of renewed cut-off shorts, amped up and revived from original denim bought second-hand, online vintage boutiques, and thrift stores (you know how we feel about DIY cut-offs!). The outcome? Fake Frivolity, one-of-a-kind cut, died, studded, and embellished high-waisted and undeniably awesome denim shorts. Miami girls, get ready to sport these babies with pride because they’re all locally made and sold through Fake Frivolity’s website. And this is just the first collection. Are you dying to know what’s next? Yeah, us too.
Click through our fave picks from Fake Frivolity’s current denim showdown, and let us know which pair you’re dying to have!
As the brains behind The Goodwill Project, Eugy and Simonett are pros at turning the old into something renewed, fresh, and trendy. Their blog demonstrates this knack of DIY skill by showing off outfits created from pieces bought at Goodwill. Now they’ve decided to share their vision by creating a line of renewed cut-off shorts, amped up and revived from original denim bought second-hand, online vintage boutiques, and thrift stores (you know how we feel about DIY cut-offs!). The outcome? Fake Frivolity, one-of-a-kind cut, died, studded, and embellished high-waisted and undeniably awesome denim shorts. Miami girls, get ready to sport these babies with pride because they’re all locally made and sold through Fake Frivolity’s website. And this is just the first collection. Are you dying to know what’s next? Yeah, us too.
Click through our fave picks from Fake Frivolity’s current denim showdown, and let us know which pair you’re dying to have!
Introducing Our New Favorite (Local!) Bracelet Designer
Pretty much anyone who has taken a peek at a fashion blog in the past few weeks has been completely over-saturated with Coachella styling tips. With the festival as the new street style extravaganza, the sartorial set is chiming in about just what to wear to the desert oasis. So, we figure it's gotta take a crazy awesome designer to break through and start an all-out Coachella craze. Enter Charmdeliers — the brand new Miami-based bracelet company, started by architect-by-day Carli Pino, found itself in the middle of its largest order rush yet after Pino posted images of the line's ultra-hip friendship bracelets on Instagram...only two days after she joined. Indeed, Pino found herself working long into the night in an effort to fill all of her orders in time for the music festival. (#youngdesignerproblems) But, we have to say we can see why the bracelets took off — bright and friendly neon contrasted with edgy metal detailing makes for one rockin' arm party. And you know we like those! (The Fashion Poet)
Lila Nikole's New Swim Collection Is Muy Caliente!
Looking for a quiet afternoon by the pool, peacefully soaking up some rays while sticking to yourself, not drawing any attention whatsoever? Then skip these suits, m'dears, because they certainly aren't for the subtle. Lila Nikole has been the go-to for bodacious babes who want some South Florida vivaciousness, having been featured thrice on BET's Rip The Runway, on celebs like Selita Banks, and in just about every Florida publication under our bright sun. So for Nikole's most recent collection, she turns up the heat even more, inviting the gorgeous (and Miami-based) Tamara Amador to model the neon, fringe-filled, and totally radical collection.
The Miami shout-out is great and her new offerings, aptly named Native Warriors, totally has 305 style on lockdown. With necklines this plunging, the sunbaked sand or rising temps won't be the hottest things at the beach. (The 305)
Photo: Courtesy of Lila Nikole
Rag & Bone Comes To Miami And Tell Us All About Spring!
Over 500 guests clamored inside Soho House Thursday evening to a watch Rag & Bone duo Marcus Wainwright and David Neville’s spring '12 collection hit the catwalk. Saks Fifth Avenue and Ocean Drive magazine presented the show on an outdoor runway, where models waltzed out to a mix of Radiohead and Cypress Hill on a breezy night (insert collective sigh of relief). It was the same collection seen at New York Fashion Week last September, but for natives who rely on Mercedes Benz Swim Week for big name fashion shows, this was a major deal for SoBe style. We snagged a quick interview with Wainwright a few minutes before the show kicked off and found out about his new Saks Fifth Avenue shop and got the scoop on the brick and mortar location they may be planning in Miami. Luckily, he's done this show before, so the designer was less harried and more good-humored, and the evening was simply divine.
Our Prince Of Peace's Newest Collection Is Made In Blog Heaven
Sing it "Sound Of Music" style: Crop-tops and fishtails and punch-out tube dresses, these are a few of bloggers' favorite things. These edgy pieces are all abundant in Our Prince Of Peace's newest collection, which'll have plenty of style writers going nuts with its brand-spankin' new offerings (seriously, the lookbook was shot last week). Not only is this line soon-to-be internationally known thanks to e-store mecca Karmaloop picking up the label, but the clothes are all made right here in Miami Beach.
kate spade new york's Swimwear Makes Us Want Candy On The Beach
Is there anything more perfect than kate spade new york's bright, preppy prints? We've long been fans of the oh-so-cute shoes and totes, and now the label known for mouthwatering color-play is finally breaking into the swimwear business. We say it's about time — the brand's infamous candy-hued color palette is perfect for sunny days spent on the beach. The new collection is a collaboration with venerable swimwear designer Malia Mills, and is part of the kate spade new york's Year Of Pattern, which incorporates the signature prints of Australian artist Florence Broadhurst into the company's designs. Mills created girly-chic mix-and-match separates, as well as super flattering one-piece looks. The collection will debut for spring '12, in Kate Spade boutiques and online, just in time for pool party season. Photo: Courtesy of kate spade new york
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