Calling all Miami Fashionistas!
Gone are the days of Miami being known solely for flip-flops, guayaberas, and floral shirts a la Miami Vice. Miami has been stepping up their fashion game for the past few years, and slowly getting attention from international outlets, and Miami Fashion Week has been a big impetus for that evolution. Founded by ex-model and Miami native Beth Sobol, MFW strives to shine a spotlight on not only local talent, but designers from Latin America, the Caribbean and more.
Miami will be one of the hottest spots on the planet, with Ultra Music Festival and Winter Music Conference coinciding over the weekend of March 20-23, so if you’re more into the idea of schmoozing with fellow fashionistas than the sweaty festival crowds, you’ve found your plans.
Celebrating their Quinceañera this year, MFW has quite a diverse and star-studded line-up. On March 20th, along with a pop-up boutique and eats by a culinary star, top Brazilian designer Carlos Miele (who we’ve covered at NYFW) will be receiving the International Designer of the Year Award, as well as presenting his 2013 F/W collection. The following days, the Miami Beach Convention Center will be overrun with showcases and pop-up shops covering the newest designers in bridal, evening wear, and of course, swimwear.
Some of the designers showing include Carlos Vigil of Peru, Brazilian swimsuits from Sambarela, Heidy Estrada of Bolivia, Claudia Manuguian of Chile, Peruvian Itala Testino Atelier and Rosa Clara Bridal Couture of Barcelona (who also won International Bridal Designer of the Year.)
There will also be a very random assortment of Latino celebrities, if you will, attending the MFW finale, Miami Moda and Music Awards. If you’ve dreamed of rubbing elbows with Sammy Sosa, foxy Fabian Rios, or Lorena Rojas, here’s your chance! Personally, i’d be most excited that the cast of Real Housewives of Miami is filming an episode at the shows. I may or may not have asked Mama Elsa for a fan girl photo and psychic reading because she is a perfect Latina queen.
You can still purchase tickets here and check the full schedule here for the runway shows, jewelry/beauty showcases, industry workshops, pop-up shops and more! Go get your fashionista on.