What I Wore

Top: Zara, Skirt: Zara, Shoes: Forever21, Sunglasses: Nasty Gal, Watch: Michael Kors

 
     Here I am sporting my latest loves from Zara at Miami Beach International Fashion Week: a fuchsia top with exposed zipper in the back combined with an orange skirt with geometric/retro-inspired pockets in the front.The top is well worth the $39.90 as I get compliments on it everywhere I go, its nice and bright and perfect for the Spring color trend. The skirt is also great, and this photo really doesn't do it justice. My only issue with the skirt is that it wrinkled rather quickly after sitting down for a little while, and I wish I had a mini steamer in my bag to smooth out the wrinkles. It is on the expensive side for a skirt at $59.90 but I do recommend that you try it on to make the ultimate decision if you are interested.

Image courtesy of Zara

Image courtesy of Zara

Runway Looks at Miami Beach International Fashion Week

Being at Miami Beach International Fashion Week allowed me an opportunity to see designers from all over the world. The two collections shown in today's post exemplify the beauty of being inspired by one's cultural/national identity and tying it into fashion design. Mariela Allaix collection, from Argentina, seen above, hit the runway showing off expert craftsmanship and intricate knitting skills. The collection is based on Argentinian typical country clothes emphasizing a different fashion style loaded with national identity and a touch of urban elegance. The next collection to debut was by Russian-born designer Marina Makaron, Marina Makaron Moscow. The colors and prints where vibrant and eye-popping, and could easily be worn in South Florida. Hints of Marina's roots were visible in the beautiful head scarfs.

Day 3: Miami Beach International Fashion Week

  As promised more photos from LUXXE Collection that go beyond animal print. By far my favorite piece in the collection was the bright off the shoulder mini, perfect for a day strolling down Lincoln Road in South Beach. Following LUXXE Collection came Boston Proper, a retailer of women's high-end apparel and accessories based in Boca Raton, Florida. Taking a cue from the locale, Boston Proper shows a variety of short dresses and swimwear with bright cover ups and bangles.

Day 2: Miami Beach International Fashion Week

The first show of the night was a Prêt-à-Porter (Ready-to-wear) Style Showcase featuring special guest models, cute dogs of all sizes, in Eccentric Apparel, a new line of pet couture. The best part of the show was when one of the adorable pups decided that walking the runway was so passé and curled up in the middle of the runway refusing to move. Eventually after some encouragement the pup continued on with its runway debut, but somehow I felt this reminded me of an America's Next Top Model challenge.

The next line to showcase was LUXXE Collection, designed by Nicolette Mayer. I was afforded a chance to interview her backstage, and photograph her collection before the show. Of note was the predominant presence of animal print in her collection. Nicolette's creative vision for the line is one of "effortless chic redefined for everyday dressing, a sexy elegance". Below I have highlighted her inclusion of animal print, but her collection encompassed a variety of looks that I will share in tomorrow's post.

Day 1: Miami Beach International Fashion Week

I was lucky enough to cover Miami Beach International Fashion Week, the largest Latin American and international fashion event in the world. I was ushered backstage where I spoke with Moroccanoil® Artistic
Director, Antonio Calero, who designed all the runway hair looks and headed the Moroccanoil® Hair Teams. For a majority of the runway hair styles he wanted a very slick and pulled back ponytail using of course the Moroccanoil® hair oil products (which I was fortunate to receive some to take home). Other models were sporting Victoria Secret-esque hair, soft wavy hair with lots of bounce. After speaking with Antonio it was time to make my way to the press pit, which was an adventure on its own. I somehow made my way to the front, which could not have worked out any better, since if I had not arrived when I did I would have been behind a pack of eager photographers and at my height with no view it would have been really hard to take a great photo. I was surrounded by some amazing professional photographers, who offered me some great tips on shooting (after all I am a novice when it comes to photography). Tomorrow I will post more pictures from the runway shows. But for today I hope you enjoy these backstage looks.