Funkshion, a.k.a. Fashion Week Miami held its 15th season of runway shows this past week, drawing the usual stellar crowd of designers, VIPs, politicians, and fashion forward, who convened at, around and between the Bass Museum, Setai Hotel and Set nightclub for 5 days of shopping, runway shows and parties fueled by Wodka Vodka. Noteworthy shows included The Red Dress show, The Richie Rich PopLuxe, Sarahi House of Fashion and Krell Wear. Organizers and designers have already begun preparations for the March 2011 season!
One of the many highlights of Funkshion is undoubtedly Vanidades’ ‘Magia de la Moda’ fashion event, now its fifth season. The event, which took place at the Bass Museum, was emceed by Satcha Pretto, co-host of Univision’s Primer Impacto, and showcased the season’s chicest eveningwear and accessories with a surprise finale and appearance by Luca Luca’s Creative Director Raul Melgoza.
Pretto kicked off the runway show by saying, “It is an honor to be here this evening to present the fifth anniversary of ‘Magia de la Moda. Most importantly, we are thrilled to bring everyone together again to celebrate established and emerging designers alike, with a collaborative evening of incredible vision and talent that will certainly not disappoint.”
Trina Turk kicked-off the 70 looks, followed by Elie Tahari Bal Harbour, Ina Soltani, Jacqueline Quinn and Laundry by Shelly Segal. Elegant handbags by Laura Buccellati and Beautiful People along with footwear by Sergio Rossi Bal Harbour and bold jewelry by Daniella Kronfle and Diane Marie Designs which completed each look. Showcasing the looks on the runway were television personalities including Telemundo’s Azucena Cierco, Jorge Bernal and Quique Usales; Univision’s Alejandra Espinoza; Mega TV’s Angie Perez; actresses Ivelyn Giro, Jessica Fox and Martiza Rodriquez; actor and singer Melvin Cabrera; and international model Ines Rivero, who cascaded down the runway in a Luca Luca gown for the finale.
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Miami fashionistas Amanda Fernandez-Leon, Jacquelynn Powers, Jilian Sanz and Sarah Arison hosted an intimate shopping soiree at Trina Turk Bal Harbour coinciding with Mercedes-Benz Miami Fashion Week Swim 2011. In celebration of the designer’s appointment as the Mercedes-Benz Presents designer, the event offered guests the opportunity to browse the new Swim & Spa collection as well as mingle with Trina Turk, herself.
Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Swim descended upon the South Beach sands this weekend, with an action-packed schedule of 20 shows, featuring designs from top swimwear brands including: Poko Pano, True Religion, Mara Hoffman, Ed Hardy, Red Carter, Luli Fama and our favorite, this season’s Mercedes-Benz Presents Designer, Trina Turk, whose 60s Hollywood-glam-meets Acapulco inspired pieces received raving reviews. The daily mix of sweltering heat and torrential rain, (c’mon, it’s Miami in JULY, what did you expect?) hardly dampened the excitement for the thousands of fashion insiders who packed the various venues at the Raleigh and trekked amid puddles to off-site shows, such as Red Carter’s at the Bass Museum and satellite swimsuit showcases such as Salon Allure and Melissa Odabash at the W; Funkshion at the Setai; and numerous events at the Webster boutique (more on these next week). 
