Fashion Shows and Haute Hat Luncheons

FASHIONmiami presented by Chrysler

In the world of fashion, March was a spectacular month because “FASHIONmiami presented by Chrysler” took over the Design District for four days. The festivities began on the night of Wednesday, March 10, with the presentation of Gen Art’s Fresh Faces in Fashion in a spectacular 35,000-square-foot tent. More than 900 of the industry’s who’s who showed up to witness the debut of six new designers at this annual event, which is where Zac Posen got his start. While I give all of the up-and-comers credit for their efforts, the one that stood out to me was Whitney Port’s debut of Whitney Eve (Eve being her middle name) for Fall 2010. Port said her inspiration for the line came from young women who are motivated in their careers but still out on the town having fun.

The quality of the production of the Gen Art Fresh Faces show was noted over and over again, and I agree. It was one of the more incredible displays that I have witnessed in quite a while

On Friday, March 12, Fashion Group International took center stage at FASHIONmiami, teaming up with Chrysler to first present the FGI Emerging Designers Competition, and then to formally announce the winners of the FGI Awards. It was one of the most spectacular evenings of the year.

FGI, the longest running fashion nonprofit of its kind, was founded in 1928 by a group of style mavens, including Edna Woolman Chase, who was editor-in-chief of Vogue, and Eleanor Roosevelt. For the past 82 years, they have been setting up programs in regional offices all across the country to help support fashion and design students and fund scholarships.

This year’s FGI Award named four influential leaders and contributors who have made an impact on the fashion industry here in Miami. I was absolutely thrilled beyond belief to be chosen as one of the honorees, alongside editor of Vogue en Espanol Eva Hughes, the Beacon Council, and the incredibly talented designer Silvia Tcherassi. I can’t express enough how thankful and delighted I was to be included in this elite circle of prestigious award winners.

Vizcaya Preservation Luncheon

While those four days in March were all about avant-garde designs, back in February we saw a different expression of fashion here in Miami, although just as high in its style.

This is the second year that nonprofit group The Vizcayans presented the Hat Luncheon, more formally known as the Vizcaya Preservation Luncheon. When the invite says “Hats Required” and Neiman Marcus is listed as a sponsor, you know that all of the ladies who lunch are going to go over the top with personal displays of style, and, as expected, guests were dressed to the nines. It was a stunningly gorgeous afternoon, both in terms of the weather and the explosion of pastel flowers that dotted the gardens.

During the luncheon, Miami’s two Neiman Marcus stores (Coral Gables and Bal Harbour) joined forces to present a spring fashion show. Neimans chose ensembles from a host of designers, including everyone from Chanel and Dolce & Gabbana, to Versace, Yves Saint Laurent, and Zac Posen. Trend reports indicate that all shades of blue will be “in” this season, and the models strutting down the runway demonstrated some of the best ways that designers incorporated the hue into their collections.