By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

Style Saves at Soho Beach House

The most eclectic crowd during Miami Swim Week gathered at the exclusive Soho Beach House (SBH) on Thursday, July 19^th for the Style Saves’ 1 Year Anniversary, celebration/fundraiser.  Co-chairs Rachael Russell, fashion stylist and Ashley Spitz, event planner, combined their talents to produce this sensational event, which drew over 400 of Miami’s most recognized, influential and fashionable faces.  Guests filled the pool area of the SBH to support Style Saves’ mission to “build confidence through clothes and give a fresh start through fashion” to local underprivileged students in South Florida. The event raised nearly $40,000 for Style Saves, doubling last year’s total.

Style Saves’ affiliation with the Miami Foundation and its efforts in coupling philanthropy with fashion, led Haute Living magazine to name the event Mercedes-Benz Swim Week’s “Best Show for a Cause.”

“We were thrilled to host the ‘Best Show for a Cause,’ and lend our support to Style Saves,” said SBH General Manager Laurent Fraticelli. “We think the work that they do is so important to the heart of Miami, and the approach that they take by tapping into the fashion world fits very well with our deep support of Miami’s creative communities.”

The show featured runway looks by Trina Turk and Papi swimwear, and showcased fashions from Atrium and iShine365. Each of the 80 looks was personally styled by Russell, who founded Style Saves.

“Collaboration is key,” says Russell who recognizes that a show like this can have a profound and positive impact on smaller brands. In turn, Russell encouraged the runway debut of Tortoise & Blonde eyewear, That Madonna Girl floral halos and C. Madeleine’s vintage jewelry whose accessories completed each look. Stylists from Rik Rak Salon beautified the models with gorgeous fishtail braids and glowing faces.

DJ Brett Sylvia set the mood with the perfect mix of tunes, while partygoers sipped on cocktails sponsored by Grey Goose, Moët Chandon, Peroni and Vita Coco, and indulged in cupcakes by Stella’s Sweet Shoppe. The event was highly digitized, featuring a plasma screen at the end of the runway for designer branding and a projected live Twitter feed updated by LGD Communications and incorporated interactive technology with an online auction hosted by Charitybuzz on iPads throughout the space. The Capture Pod photo booth sponsored by Atrium was also a hit.

Notable guests included film director Michael Bay, celebrity chef Travis London, Gilt Groupe founder Alexandra Wilkis Wilson and “Real Housewives of Miami” cast members Joanna Krupa, Marysol Patton and Alexia Echevarria. To cap off the night, Mynt Lounge hosted an after-party to celebrate the event’s success.

Most recently, Style Saves has partnered with Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation to benefit the children of the Michael Fux Family Center. Spitz said, “Our hope is to make children who don’t feel good, look good. In a sense, we will be giving a healthy dose of confidence to the kids and helping their families at the same time.” “Going forward, we really want to pull all of our fashion industry resources together and reach a greater number of organizations,” explains Russell whose plans include partnering with Tracy Mourning’s Honey Shine Mentoring Program.  “It’s all about the little details when making a difference,” she adds. Russell has each student fill out surveys to assess their personal style.

Russell is spearheading the Style Saves back-to-school event scheduled to take place on Sunday, August 26^th. The event will incorporate more than just clothing aspect by offering haircuts by Privé Salon, plus make-up lessons for the teenage girls, since as stylist Russell is eager to create an entire look from head-to-toe. If you are interested in participating in the back-to-school event as a designer, business or volunteer, please e-mail Rachael Russell, rachael@stylerr.com. To learn more about Style Saves visit, www.stylesaves.org

Chloé

French luxury brand, Chloé showcased its spring 2013 ready-to-wear, women’s clothing and accessories collection on Saturday, July 21, providing a “swim wear break” to a crowd that packed the pool area at Soho Beach House.  Despite the late hour (the show started after 11 p.m.) guests piled on the lounge chairs and surrounding areas for a glimpse of the beautiful flowing fabrics, as models sashayed on the runway atop the pool.

The bohemian chic collection was characterized by a romantic softness, representative of the brand, with silk riding pants and a gorgeous sapphire blue long skirt that billowed in the wind, resembling a waterfall.   The looks were gorgeous and every outfit was perfect for Miami’s endless summer weather.

The brands top clientele joined local VIPs and celebrities for the show and cocktail party.  Guests included:  TV personality Jonathan Cheban, Sports Illustrated model Julie Patrice Henderson and BRAVO’s Real Housewives of Miami star Adriana de Moura who stepped out to view the collection, which was shipped directly from Paris to be showcased for the first time in the United States.