Miami Fashion Week (MIAFW) unveiled its inaugural Virtual Fashion Awards at the glamorous Queen Miami Beach, transforming the traditional runway into an immersive digital experience where artificial intelligence, artistry, and couture seamlessly converged.

Hosted by Emmy Award-winning journalist Lisa Petrillo, the exclusive gala welcomed an international gathering of designers, creatives, innovators, and tastemakers for an evening that felt equally rooted in craftsmanship and propelled toward the future. Rather than replacing fashion’s human element, technology elevated it, offering breathtaking virtual worlds that expanded the storytelling possibilities behind every collection.

The event featured AI-powered runway presentations produced by The Fashion Shows, complemented by live model showcases that brought the digital and physical worlds together. The result was an editorial-worthy experience that felt more cinematic than conventional—a fitting evolution for one of fashion’s fastest-growing international platforms.

Among the participating designers were Ana+Maria, Beatriz de la Cámara, Brooke Wilder, ByMerveDundar, Danfive by Daniela Ospina, Fiore, Jacqueline Then, Jhoan Sebastian Grey, Johnathan Hayden, René by RR, Seta Apparel, Shantall Lacayo, Vero Diaz, Yas Gonzalez, and Yenny Bastida. Finalists presented imaginative virtual collections inside immersive digital environments that demonstrated how technology can enhance—not diminish—the artistry of fashion design.

The highest honor, Best Virtual Fashion Show, was awarded to Jhoan Sebastian Grey, earning him a coveted runway presentation during Miami Fashion Week this October, along with editorial exposure, mentorship, retail opportunities through The Fitting Room, and valuable industry introductions. Yas Gonzalez received Best Brand Narrative, while Vero Diaz earned Best Creative Direction, recognizing the growing importance of storytelling in today’s evolving luxury landscape.

Adding another layer of artistry was the debut of the awards’ sculptural statuette, created exclusively by artist Ada Da Silva, symbolizing the fusion of creativity, innovation, and design that defines the platform’s mission.

The celebration also recognized renowned Miami fashion designer René Ruiz for his enduring contributions to the city’s fashion industry, while Academy Award-winning actor Cuba Gooding Jr. added a touch of Hollywood glamour to the evening’s guest list.

Innovation extended beyond the runway through Miami Fashion Week’s collaboration with SCIRCLE, introducing AI-powered fragrance creation that translated each designer’s creative vision into bespoke scents, expanding fashion into an entirely new sensory experience.

As the evening concluded with an energetic live performance by Gabriel Coronel, one message became unmistakably clear: fashion’s future isn’t replacing tradition—it’s enhancing it.

With Miami Fashion Week returning October 13–17, 2026, this inaugural Virtual Fashion Awards successfully positioned Miami at the forefront of fashion’s next chapter, where technology amplifies creativity, storytelling becomes immersive, and the runway extends far beyond the catwalk.

Istituto Marangoni Miami celebrated the future of fashion in extraordinary form with La Grande Bellezza, its highly anticipated annual showcase presented May 20 at 8 p.m. at Jungle Plaza in the Miami Design District. Now in its third year, the production has evolved into far more than a student runway presentation — it has become one of Miami’s most sophisticated fashion events, operating at a level comparable to the polished showcases and emerging designer presentations seen during New York, Paris, and Milan Fashion Weeks.

From the moment guests arrived, the attention to detail was unmistakable. The custom-built set transformed Jungle Plaza into an effervescent Italian cityscape, immersing attendees in a cinematic environment inspired by the romance and grandeur of Italy while blending the vibrant American energy that defines Miami. The immersive buildout perfectly reflected the DNA of Istituto Marangoni Miami: internationally rooted, creatively ambitious, and undeniably modern.

Inspired by eternal elegance and the soul of Italian artistry, La Grande Bellezza transformed the runway into a living masterpiece. This year’s showcase celebrated the intricate textures, craftsmanship, and refined details that define Italian style while spotlighting the final collections of IMM’s graduating fashion design students. The result was an evening of exceptional creativity delivered with a level of professionalism rarely seen outside the global fashion capitals.

Unlike many emerging designer showcases that lean heavily into spectacle, IMM delivered a production grounded in precision and industry-level execution. From seamless show pacing and elevated styling to impeccable casting and technical direction, the evening carried the sophistication and discipline expected at elite international fashion presentations.

The evening was elegantly emceed by Eva Hughes, Executive Vice President of Istituto Marangoni Miami and a globally respected fashion media and luxury industry veteran. Hughes brought commanding presence, warmth, and unmistakable expertise to the production, guiding guests through the evening with the polished ease of a seasoned international fashion executive while reinforcing IMM’s growing influence within the global fashion conversation.

“In this, our third graduation showcase, we hope to continue to show the community not just how talented our student body is but how important it is to nurture and support that talent with access to top-tier instruction and industry opportunities,” said Hakan Baykam, President of Istituto Marangoni Miami. “La Grande Bellezza is a celebration of the beauty that comes to life when we provide the space for our students to birth their unique visions.”

Miami’s fashion, art, and cultural communities gathered in full force to celebrate the city’s rapidly growing creative influence. Guests included supermodel Karolina Kurkova, celebrity stylists Danny Santiago and Irma Martinez, and influencers Gabriela Medina, Jenny Lopez, Elle Ullman, Roy Teng Moure, and many more. Models were beautifully made up by the Godina Worldwide team at GWT Beauty, bringing each designer’s vision to life with editorial-level sophistication as students debuted their collections on the runway for the very first time.

The night was further elevated by a captivating live performance from Italian singer and performer Arianna Bergamaschi, whose collaborations with internationally renowned artists including Andrea Bocelli, Pitbull, Shaggy, Michael Bolton, Il Volo, Flo Rida, and will.i.am brought an unmistakably international energy to the celebration.

Supported by longtime IMM partners including Swiss luxury watch brand RADO, the presentation reinforced Miami’s emergence as a legitimate global fashion destination — one capable of delivering cultural experiences with both creative depth and world-class execution. Witnessing an inspiring display of fresh perspectives, innovative craftsmanship, and boundary-pushing aesthetics, La Grande Bellezza further positioned Miami as an internationally recognized center for creativity, design, and emerging artistic voices.

Following the show, VIP guests proceeded to the neighboring and iconic Moore Building for an intimate afterparty sponsored by LALO Tequila and Ethica Wines. The celebration continued late into the evening with decadent treats from Rosetta Bakery alongside one of the night’s standout culinary moments: made-to-order truffle pizzas by Verace Artisan Pizza, served fresh throughout the party as guests toasted an evening that seamlessly blended artistry, sophistication, and the future of fashion. La Grande Bellezza proved that Miami’s fashion scene has arrived, polished ready for the international spotlight.

Watch a video of the show here:

https://youtu.be/TfFNo7Jqcxs?si=S1zACR0FyS0vdGpZ

Photo credit for all photos: World Red Eye

Some exhibitions are meant to be viewed. This one must be experienced.

After commanding reverence in Milan’s Palazzo Reale, Paris’s Grand Palais, and Rome’s Palazzo delle Esposizioni, From the Heart to the Hands: Dolce & Gabbana arrives at ICA Miami not as a traveling show — but as a consecration.

Curated by Florence Müller — one of the most respected voices in global fashion curation — this exhibition is less about garments and more about legacy. Müller, a graduate of the École du Louvre and former curator at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, has orchestrated more than 150 exhibitions worldwide. She does not curate fashion; she contextualizes it within civilization.

And here, she does so with first-hand intimacy. Müller has followed Dolce & Gabbana across decades of Alta Moda presentations — standing inside Sicilian cathedrals, along Venetian canals, within Roman ruins — witnessing not just the runway, but the ritual. She understands the ateliers — the expert hands that cut, stitch, drape, bead, and revive techniques that might otherwise vanish.

As Müller observes: “I believe Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana are among the couturiers most inspired by Italian culture and art, and those who represent it most faithfully… the exhibition demonstrates one thing: that the past is not dead.”

The title itself is literal: ideas born in the heart, realized by the hands. Over 300 Alta Moda, Alta Sartoria, and Alta Gioielleria pieces unfold across immersive chapters, where the experience is total. Each gallery features its own custom soundtrack and signature scent, enveloping the visitor in an olfactory and auditory map of Italy.

The “Devotion” Hallway: A Pilgrimage of Craft

The “Devotion” room serves as the exhibition’s spiritual anchor, meticulously recreating the high drama of the 2022 Alta Moda show in Syracuse, Sicily. To experience it is to walk a long, narrow gallery carpeted in vibrant papal yellow, an architectural echo of the Piazza del Duomo where the collection first debuted.

The air here is heavy with the scent of sacred incense, while a grand projection brings the ritual to life: a solemn, theatrical procession of “cardinals” in crimson vestments and figures representing Mary and Jesus moving to the haunting strains of Cavalleria rusticana by Pietro Mascagni. On the opposing wall, the garments stand like icons — sculptural gold jackets adorned with 3D-molded cherubs, “tabernacle” coats encrusted in jewels, and black lace veils that honor the Sorrowful Mother. This corridor pulls the viewer forward, transforming a fashion display into a pilgrimage that leads, inevitably, toward a shimmering golden altar.

A World of Influence

The journey continues through the layers of the Italian soul. There is Sicily — not as cliché, but as bloodline. Ceramic motifs from Caltagirone and the painted heroics of Sicilian carts are reborn in sculptural coats. Rome appears not as backdrop but as empire; papal mantles shimmer in metallic embroidery while vestal silhouettes glide in white silk moiré. Venice glitters in Murano glass and Byzantine mosaics, reflected infinitely in mirrored rooms.

And then there is The Leopard (Il Gattopardo), directed by Luchino Visconti. The masterpiece becomes both metaphor and muse — tradition surrendering to modernity. The ballroom scene flickers across mirrored walls to the swell of Nino Rota’s original score, while Alta Moda gowns shimmer beneath.

The Opera Gallery: The Grand Finale

The journey culminates in a gallery where fashion surrenders entirely to the stage. Curated as a reimagined Italian opera house, the space is enveloped in crimson velvet and gold-leaf molding, echoing the grandeur of Teatro alla Scala in Milan.

Here, Müller displays the Milano Opera Collection, where the designers act as conductors of silk and organza. Voluminous capes and gowns are dedicated to the heroines of Verdi, Puccini, and Bellini — from the tragic fragility of La Traviata to the fierce exoticism of Turandot. The air is filled with the aroma of vintage theater wood and velvet, as iconic arias pull the viewer into the dramma all’italiana.

A Legacy Preserved

What Müller accomplishes at ICA Miami is significant. She places Dolce & Gabbana not inside the fashion calendar — but inside cultural history. Architecture, Renaissance painting, Catholic iconography, folklore, artisan guilds — all converging into garments that feel less worn than inherited.

And Miami — bold, baroque, unapologetically sensual — understands this language.

This exhibition is not about trend. It is about devotion. To craft. To region. To memory. To beauty so deliberate it feels sacred. In a fashion landscape chasing speed, Dolce & Gabbana choose permanence. In a culture obsessed with disruption, they choose preservation.

From the heart to the hands — and now, from Italy to Miami — where spectacle meets reverence and craftsmanship becomes destiny. From the Heart to the Hands: Dolce & Gabbana is not just about fashion — it is about legacy.

View more here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DVhbL1UiZY2/?igsh=MXQyZ3dpdWdiaHd0ZA==

https://www.instagram.com/s/aGlnaGxpZ2h0OjE4MDk4NzkxNzU2OTQwNzEw?story_media_id=3846502735298555886&igsh=MTZyMTc4ajJva2pqbA==

Plan Your Visit

From the Heart to the Hands: Dolce & Gabbana

ICA Miami

23 NE 41st Street, Miami, FL

On View: February 6 – June 14, 2026

Hours

Sunday – Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 7:30 PM

Thursday – Saturday: 10:00 AM – 10:30 PM

Last entry approximately one hour before closing.

Tickets

Adults: $26–$27 Students/Seniors/Youth: $23–$25 Children (4–11): $14–$16 Under 4: Free

Timed-entry tickets are strongly recommended, especially on weekends.

Purchase official tickets here:

Tours

✔ Book a live museum tour if available (included with admission).

✔ If live tours are unavailable, add the official audio guide for a deeper, room-by-room immersive experience.

⏳ Allow 1–1.5 hours to experience the full exhibition.

On Monday, September 15th, Chelsea Industrial in New York City set the stage for Natalie De’Banco’s Spring/Summer 2026 presentation, Concrete Safari. The collection, a dialogue between untamed nature and the urban grit of New York, drew a distinguished and star-studded audience. Among the front-row luminaries were Saweetie, Victoria Justice, Dascha Polanco, Nicky Hilton, Rachel Hilbert, and athletes including Olivia Nelson-Ododa of the Connecticut Suns and Kiki Iriafen of the Washington Mystics, alongside influencers, models, and tastemakers such as Jackie Aina, Ekin Su Cülcüloğlu, and Batsheva Haart.

The Collection

Concrete Safari embodies the modern woman’s duality—refined yet audacious, cultivated yet untamed. De’Banco marries modern sportswear with eveningwear, blending architectural tailoring with fluid, slinky silhouettes and subtle, daring edges. Oversized jackets and sleek separates convey an effortless yet cultivated style, perfectly attuned to the rhythm of the contemporary woman.

The color story traverses ivory and seafoam, anchored by sage and terracotta, punctuated with hyper-real safari graphics, gilded spinal accents, and artisanal hand-crocheted details. A newly introduced line of accessories bridges daywear and evening occasions, designed to meet the dynamic needs of a New York woman—functional yet luxuriously refined.

About Bronx and Banco

Founded in 2009, Bronx and Banco is celebrated for its vibrant color stories, precise tailoring, and a distinctive chic allure adored by celebrities and socialites worldwide. From red carpets at the Oscars, Golden Globes, and Cannes, to the bustling streets of Sydney and New York, the label reflects the vision of Russian-born, Australian-raised Natalie De’Banco. Her collections are at once feminine, flattering, and cosmopolitan, embodying strength, confidence, and sophisticated glamour for the worldly woman.

Sponsors included: Clarity RX / Hand & Stone, Commando, David Protein, ghd, Glass House Fragrances, Gorgie, Loverboy, New York Makeup Academy, Route, Salon Perfect, Tepozan Tequila, Urban Stems, Voss Water, Weber Ranch Vodka, and Wella.

For inquiries, contact: bronxandbanco@ledecompany.com

The adidas Adizero Aruku by CNCPTS is more than just a shoe—it’s a lifestyle revolution. Picture this: a shoe that makes your feet say “aaaaah” when you put them on. Such is the experience of wearing the adidas Adizero Aruku, brought to you by the visionary minds at CNCPTS. Their goal is all about embracing the art of movement. We’re talking about perpetual movement, the kind that doesn’t rush you but guides you into a rhythm where you walk, don’t run.

Now, here’s what makes this shoe different—it’s where activewear meets wellness and style. Imagine slipping into a world where comfort reigns supreme. With a reflective cage and a gradient mesh upper, the Adizero Aruku takes everything we love about CNCPTS’ cutting-edge design DNA and wraps it up in one sleek, stunning silhouette.

And you won’t just see this vision—you’ll feel it, in the CNCPTS activewear collection that goes hand in hand with the Adizero Aruku. It’s more than fashion, it’s a way of life.

Your new favorite shoes are available at all CNCPTS stores and cncpts.com. Unisex sizing from 3.5 to 14, all for $140. Go on, treat yourself. You deserve it!

Mootts isn’t just a bag brand; it’s a movement. Rooted in empowerment, sustainability, and community, Mootts partners with Salvadorian artisans who craft bags from recycled materials, blending tradition with purpose. Founded by a mother-daughter duo and inspired by the Nahuatl word for “roots,” Mootts is all about love, heritage, and giving back. The versatile, colorful bags come in a variety of shapes, sizes, styles and colors- perfect for every season.

As a woman-owned business, Mootts empowers women in El Salvador, offering fair wages and meaningful work. Each bag tells a story—one of sustainability and solidarity. According to founder, Kathya Bendek, who designs the bags alongside her daughter, Stephania, “We’re planting deep roots in El Salvador, spreading messages of empowerment, unity, and community. Plus, a portion of our proceeds goes to organizations that vulnerable populations in El Salvador.” Kathya recalls her “Aha moment” that inspired her to create Mootts. “I was visiting my family when the idea came to me. During this visit, I reconnected with the rich, vibrant, culture of my homeland. Seeing all of this made me realize how much I wanted to capture the beauty of my childhood experiences. That’s how the idea for the brand, and its mission, were born. Stephania and I began brainstorming ideas together and the rest is history.”

In a nutshell, Mootts is about more than just bags. It’s about weaving love, beauty, and resilience into every stitch, building a brighter future for all. For more information and to place orders, visit @mootts_style on Instagram