Neiman Marcus Bal Harbour along with special hostess Erin Newberg cordially invited guests to meet designer Christian Siriano on Thursday, November 10. Guests arrived for a champagne reception and luscious lunch bites on the Fine Apparel area of Neiman Marcus Bal Harbour to view the stunning Fall 2011 Collection, and get a sneak peek into Spring 2012. Those in attendance mingled as they enjoyed the afternoon in the ultra chic lounge setup. Models took center stage on elevated platforms as Siriano spoke through each look featured. Known as the youngest and most popular winner of Bravo TVs “Project Runway,” Siriano featured a mix of his ready-to-wear pieces including beautiful crisp white blouses with flowy bright colored pants, along with fabulous cocktail dresses and ultra glamourous evening gowns.

Some of our favorite designs this season included Mercedes-Benz presents designer, Derek Lam; Diane von Furstenberg, DKNY, Michael Kors, Nanette Lepore, Milly by Michelle Smith, Marc Jacobs, Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Naeem Khan, and Carolina Herrera.

Derek Lam

Diane von Furstenberg

DKNY

Michael Kors

Nanette Lepore

Milly by Michelle Smith

Marc Jacobs

Ralph Lauren

Calvin Klein

Naeem Khan

Carolina Herrera

photo courtesy of getty images

Dani Stahl and Elena Kiam

by: Maryanne Salvat 

During Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim 2012, luxury jewelry brand Lia Sophia, along with creative director Elena Kiam and Red Carpet Collection designer Dani Stahl, hosted an exclusive unveiling of the Fall/Winter 2011 Collection. Guests previewed the highly-coveted pieces while enjoying a beautiful ocean view from the 9^th floor loft at the Soho Beach House. The Special Edition and Industrielle II Red Carpet Collection designs were sophisticated and bold, staple pieces that make a statement. Attendees included: stylist Louise Roe, Victoria Secret Model and actress Alina Puscau, OK Columnist and Celebrity Chef Travis London, socialite Dana Shear, style-setter Henrietta Ronson, and, “The Hills” ,Whitney Port, who was spotted wearing the jewels during her visit to Miami. For a catalogue or more information on Lia Sophia, visit www.liasophia.com.

Criselda Breene, Susanne Birbragher, Carlos Betancourt, and Barbara Becker

Miami’s chicest fashion and design crowd gathered at the newly reopened Gucci Boutique in Bal Harbour for an exclusive cocktail party on Tuesday April 5.  The hosts: Barbara Becker, Carlos Betancourt, Susanne Birbragher and Criselda and Jonathan Breene – all decked out in Gucci – welcomed guests including Belkys Nerey, Frank Amadeo, Brian Antoni, Cathy Leff, Iran Issa-Khan, Jeri Wolfson, Jilian Sanz, John Lin, Karla Dascal, Lisa Petrillo, Mitchell “Micky” Wolfson, Jr., Rodner Figueroa, Sam Robin, Gingi Beltran, D. Ashlee Harrison and Susie Wahab. 

The new boutique, designed by Gucci Creative Director Frida Giannini, evokes the Art Deco era.  Men’s and women’s ready-to-wear styles, purses, shoes, jewelry and accessories as well as the newly launched children’s collection are elegantly displayed amid luxurious accents in rosewood, marble, ribbed glass and polished gold.

 In honour of its 90^th Anniversary, and to demonstrate its commitment to art preservation and restoration, Gucci is making a special contribution to The Wolfsonian–FIU to support the future installation of the Italian Double Parlor (1900-01), a rare surviving example of Italian art nouveau designed by Agostino Lauro. 

Brunello Cucinelli Boutique Grand Opening at Bal Harbour Shops

On Thursday, March 31st, Italian cashmere guru, Mr. Brunello Cucinelli, joined hosts, Leticia & Miky Grendene and Carole & Oscar Seikaly, to celebrate the grand opening of its newest boutique located at the legendary Bal Harbour Shops.

With over 200 guests, attendees included: HIH Princess Thi-Nga of Vietnam; Tennis Star – Gabriella Sabatini; News Anchor – Belkys Nerey; and Swimwear Designer – Ariel Stein; among other Miami socialites Lin Airson, Mari Alarcon-Grimalt, Laura Buccellati, Francesca Halpyrn, Fana Holtz, Lydia Touzet and Gigi & Randy Whitman gathered in the 1,600 square foot boutique for an evening of luxury, fashion and charity. A percentage of proceeds from the evening as well as the weekend were donated to the Jackson Memorial Foundation Guardian Angels benefiting Holtz Children’s Hospital.  

While enjoying hors d’oeuvres and white wines with an Italian twist, guests were able to meet and mingle with Mr. Brunello Cucinelli during his first trip to South Florida. Collections on display included the Spring/Summer 2011 men’s and women’s apparel as well as Brunello Cucinelli accessories which were displayed throughout the store. The evening was filled with the true Italian spirit that only Mr. Brunello Cucinelli could bring to Bal Harbour.

By: Mary Jo Almeida-Shore and Maryanne Salvat

Neiman Marcus Bal Harbour and Coral Gables joined forces on Thursday, January 20 to host iconic designer and philanthropist Donna Karan, who celebrates 25 years in the fashion industry this year. Over 150 guests gathered at the Coral Gables location for this highly anticipated event, as the Donna Karan Spring 2011 Collection was showcased, with each piece being described and highlighted by Karan and Neiman Marcus Fashion Director Ken Downing.  The entire Fine Apparel area of the store was transformed into a runway set-up, complete with a built-in Donna Karan shop featuring the latest pieces. Karan, ever the picture of coolness, fresh from a trip to Australia where she broke her arm, donned a stylish black leather cast lined with cashmere, yoga pants, a bathing suit, stunning scarf, leather beaded necklace and Lanvin flats.

As gazelle-like models sashayed down the runway in beautiful nude silhouettes and body revealing drapings in beige and tan, Karan spoke to clients about her inspiration for the spring collection.    During the intimate presentation, she mentioned that her father was a custom tailor and so she has that in her blood- her reason behind starting every collection with a perfect jacket.   Karan commented how the fabric has a way of speaking to her and how a tailored look should compliment   a woman’s figure.  Soft neutrals, muslin, and silk creations inspired by natural elements that transcend from day to evening were featured throughout the collection, which is about “laying down and being the woman that you are, celebrating femininity and sensuality” she explained.  The much sought-after red carpet styles are intended to be naturally comfortable without sacrificing glamour and elegance.

Karan spent quite a bit of time discussing her global initiatives, including Urban Zen, which was inspired by her late husband’s struggle with lung cancer.  “I’ve spent years dressing people on the outside, I want to dress people inside.” In her intimate and moving conversation with the audience, Karan spoke about the current voids in health care and education.  She explained that Urban Zen seeks to create calm in chaos and that more care needs to be given to the nurses.  “Nursing is everything we are…as women, as mothers.”  She went on to say that people care for disease not patients and that we must look to cultures and wisdom all over the world to make changes in health care and education.  A basic tenet of Urban Zen is that when you buy a dress- you help all of the people involved in its creation-it is much deeper than just fashion but an understanding of what clothing means- the preservation of cultures- artisans -working

with hands- indigenous cultures, all of which lead to empowerment.  “The goal is to collaborate, communicate and empower.”

Following the fashion presentation, fashion aficionados swarmed the runway to snap shots and meet the designer. Throughout the afternoon guests were treated to a champagne reception and scrumptious lunch bites by Thierry’s Catering, while continuing to shop and mingle. Guests included Sue Miller, Mari Alarcon, Alexia Echevarria, Annelies de Costa Gomez, Yolanda Berkowitz, Debra Scholl, Andria Holtz, Elena Baronoff, Terry Jove, Fernanda Cisneros, and Cheryl Stephenson. 

**photo credit: Manny Hernandez