CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Merry-Go-Round mule in patent leather and suede, Louis Vuitton ($1,460). Aventura Mall, 19501 Biscayne Blvd., 305-931-3887. Vernice leather clutch, Prada ($2,280). Bal Harbour Shops, 9700 Collins Ave., 305-864-9111. Mint YSL Cardinal pump, Yves Saint Laurent ($1,695). Bal Harbour Shops, 305-868-4424

Pastel shoes and bags as staples of your spring wardrobe always run the risk of seeming a bit too precious, as though you never quite got over the idea of being 10 years old and dressing up for Easter Sunday. Designers are hip to this notion, which is why this season you see so many icy undertones injected into otherwise-sweet shades for a hint of fashionforward edge. A much-talked-about hit when it debuted on the runway, Yves Saint Laurent’s Cardinal pump is crafted in a sorbet-like mint green, with a brilliant gold accent that no doubt contributed to its status as one of spring’s most coveted shoes. For his strappy Merry-Go-Round mules at Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs sent out a variety of icy shades, mixed with a metallic silver that likewise imbued the look with modernity. But for artful whimsy, it’s tough to top Miuccia Prada, who opted for iconic ’50s influences such as flame-fendered cars (said autos adorned leather skirts, while the flames also found their way onto sling-back sandals), as well as pinup girls—hence the use of brilliant yellow bows on posh clutches in pale blue. Rarely has sweet looked so sophisticated.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRIAN KLUTCH

From Top: Cruise Antibes sandal, Chanel ($850), Bal Harbour Shops, 9700 Colins Ave., 305-868-0550. Small Glam Tote, Valentino ($2,745), Bal Harbour Shops, 9700 Colins Ave., 305-868-1215. Daisy Bead & Necklace, Talbots ($79), The Falls, 8888 SW 136th St. Miami, 305-254-6951

You can always count on designers to offer up some variation on floral as a spring trend, but this season the choices seem particularly lush and inventive. We loved Jason Wu’s digitally printed petals on his breezy dresses and high-waisted shorts, and waxed rhapsodic over the brilliant beaded and lace floral treatments on a variety of Valentino totes. Rodarte’s Kate and Laura Mulleavy conjured up van Gogh’s sunflowers on their ’50s-inspired dresses, while the birds of paradise blooming throughout Joseph Altuzarra’s Spring collection had us thinking he’d been hanging out at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. Meanwhile, the ubiquity of spring florals also comes with one decided advantage: With equally lovely entries from the likes of J.Crew and Talbots, it’s also a trend that’s highly accessible, no matter whether your budget tends toward a bunch of daisies or a bouquet of hothouse flowers. 

 PHOTOGRAPH BY BRIAN KLUTCH

De Stagni at The Standard

Though she’s currently braving a cold New York winter, Nektar De Stagni looks down wistfully at the flamingo-adorned flip-flops she is fond of wearing because they are so stereotypically Miami. “I’m fantasizing about lying on the beach at Soho Beach House, eating fruit and drinking Evian,’’ she confides.

The 28-year-old designer—best known for whimsical jewelry—has recently closed NDS, the clothing and accessories boutique she opened in the Design District five years ago; she has plans to open a new Miami shop by year’s end. While searching for a fresh location, she’s taking her store on the road, with plans to open pop-ups in New York this winter and East Hampton over the summer. “The [NDS] store was a creative platform that happened to have a retail aspect,” she explains of the space in which she held art and fashion events as well as showed her designs.

De Stagni was born in Miami and raised in Napa Valley, California. “I grew up picking blackberries and eating apples off the tree,” she muses. “But design was second nature to me; I still have piles of sketches I did as a kid.”

She began researching back then, studying illustrations by Erté and Aubrey Beardsley and examining shapes and fabrics. “I was always wearing costumes, and I started altering my own clothes when I was six,” she recalls. Her first design experiment was pasting pennies on the bottoms of her flat Mary Janes to imitate the click-clack of high heels. “I wish I still had them,” she says with a sigh. By the time she was in her early teens, her family had returned to Miami and she was taking sewing lessons and buying every book she could find about the fashion business. “Miami has always been a strong source of inspiration. It’s a city of contrasts with a lot of different aesthetics merging,” she says.

De Stagni’s sartorial ambitions soon took a backseat to her jewelry. “It became so popular and consumed all my time, so I stopped making clothes.” Her plan is to pick up fabrics again, but right now, she is readying her new collection, which she plans to unveil this month at both The Webster and the STND/OHWOW boutique at The Standard Spa, Miami Beach.

Like much of her work, the soon-to-debut pieces celebrate contrast. They are largely based on Baroque jewelry interrupted by minimal metal forms—ornate designs intersected with squares or simple shapes of rose gold, bronze, and oxidized “black gold.” There are also white-pearl necklaces with bursts of bright cobalt and lavender velvet.

Her signature collections feature pearls pavéd with happy faces, and natural rope wrapped with crystal or silk. “I am always playing with opposites, combining classic or natural with humor or popular symbols,” De Stagni explains.

It turns out those symbols that wind up as beautiful adornments come from her dedication to pop culture, and hours of viewing old shows and videos on the computer. “I get a lot of images and influences from YouTube!” she reveals. 

PHOTOGRAPH BY GREG DELMAN

Silk-chiffon caftan in goldfish print, Carlos Miele ($2,850). Ever After,
2977 McFarlane Road, Miami, 305-444-7300

OCEAN DRIVE: You called your spring collection Perpetual Sun. How do you translate this idea to fashion?
CARLOS MIELE: Perpetual S un is related to the virtual image of a perfect world, where the sun is always out, bright and shining, [and this] natural exuberance was translated in my collection through vivid colors, liquid and fluid lines, sleek sculptural forms, and vibrant digital prints.

It’s a collection that seems very much at home in Miami.
It’s very suited to both warm weather and a simultaneously sexy and relaxed environment; the clothes are colorful and textural and very body-conscious in their construction. M iami is international and cosmopolitan and loves all these ideas.

Which looks are best for our town?
The chiffon caftans are the most Miami-looking pieces to me. They are colorful and fluid, like the city’s atmosphere.

Ultimately, what is it about this city that inspires you?
Miami has a great energy and is such an exuberant place with vibrant people, which is fascinating. I t is one of the only A merican cities where you can either relax going to the beach or while attending an elegant black-tie event. F or all these elements, the environment provides a perfect source of inspiration.

PHOTOGRAPH BY FERNANDA CALFAT/GETTYIMAGES.COM

Étribelt bag in Togo calfskin, Hermès ($7,600). Bal Harbour Shops, 9700 Collins Ave.,
305-868-0118

The storied French label never disappoints when it comes to chic styling that effortlessly conjures the brand’s heritage. Just arriving in stores, the Étribelt’s trapezoid shape calls to mind that most iconic of Hermès bags, the Kelly, though we love the contemporary (and comfortable-to-carry) update of the rounded handles. And while many a wraparound strap has adorned generations of Birkins and Kellys, this one takes its cue from the house’s signature Étriviere belt, seen in both its men’s and women’s collections. While the Kelly has never failed to dazzle since its introduction in the 1930s, we can say nearly 80 years later that we’re equally charmed by her younger sister, indeed.

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Mini Harper neon-yellow crossbody bag, Diane von Furstenberg ($295). Bal Harbour Shops, 9700 Collins Ave., 305-865-1850. Lance orange patent-leather sandal, Jimmy Choo ($675). Saks Fifth Avenue, Bal Harbour Shops, 305-865-1100. Miss Sicily satchel, Dolce & Gabbana ($1,625). Nordstrom, Aventura Mall, 19501 Biscayne Blvd., 305-356-6900. Pink Raffia pump, Versace ($795). Bal Harbour Shops, 305-864-0044. Candy Turnlock Exploded bracelet, Marc by Marc Jacobs ($128). Neiman Marcus, Village of Merrick Park, 390 San Lorenzo Ave., Coral Gables, 786-999-1000

Resort collections always seem tailor-made for sultry days under the Miami sun, with their faithful inclusion of a fabulous caftan here, a bold bikini there, but this year’s resort crop had us envisioning designers congregating en masse at Soho Beach House to lay out their game plan for the season. Case in point: the dominance of neon as an acrossthe- board trend, from bold brights at Diane von Furstenberg to the luscious pinks and turquoise tones seen at Versace, Miu Miu, and points beyond. Not even white brings out the bronzed glory of tanned skin the way neon works its magic, so opt for one simple accessories strategy during this brilliant, balmy month: Go for the glow.

PHOTOGRAPH BY CHRIS STEIN

For those in the know, the Ferrari watch license has gone around the block more than a couple of times. A couple of decades ago, a division of the then Cartier Group was producing Ferrari accessories, writing instruments and timepieces. Then came the famous Girard-Perregaux alliance approximately a decade ago, followed by another partnership and then a Panerai collaboration. Whew, the alliances are not quite as fast as the cars, but they keep you on your toes.

Now, Swiss luxury watch brand, Hublot has formed a relationship with Ferrari to unveil the first genuine Ferrari-stamped Hublot watch. Created in a limited edition of just 20 pieces, the Big Bang Chrono Tourbillon Ferrari made its debut in China, and is, in fact, exclusively for the Chinese market. The unveiling celebrated Hublot’s announcement of its watchmaking partnership with Ferrari. More than just a watchmaking collaboration, however, the Hublot agreement is a comprehensive package covering the full range of activities in terms of Ferrari brand image and commercial activities including “Official Watch” of Ferrari, “Official Timekeeper” of Ferrari, “Official Timekeeper” of Scuderia Ferrari, “Official Watch” of Scuderia Ferrari, “Official Timekeeper” of the Ferrari Challenge, and partners in Ferrari special events with which Hublot will be closely associated. It should be a fun ride. We’ll keep you posted.

Read more about watches from our timepiece editor Roberta Naas at atimelyperspective.com.

When Diane von Furstenberg stopped by Sephora at Aventura in early November with her just-released fragrance, Diane, we asked her for some scent-sational advice.

How does Diane differ from other fragrances?
Diane is the ultimate accessory, and a tool for seduction. Women have forgotten the power of scent because so many perfumes today are passive and ephemeral. With Diane, I wanted to create a classic, something that would stand the test of time. That is what DVF is all about.

What are the most sensual notes in Diane?
The tension between the bold, exotic floral of the frangipani flower and the subtly mischievous violet is very sensual. The myrrh, musk, and patchouli only reinforce that quality.

What’s your best tip for wearing scent?
With fragrance or otherwise, the most important advice I can give is to wear everything with confidence. That is always the best result. Be the woman you want to be

On any checklist of iconic style elements, Gucci’s bamboo detailing surely must rank in the all-time top 10, alongside Chanel’s double-C’s and Louis Vuitton’s monogram canvas. A collection of bamboo-inspired bangles from Gucci’s latest fine-jewelry collection therefore immediately caught our eye as an instant must-have, only more so when tried on: Rather than stiff bracelets that must be forced over the hand, ingenious little spring mechanisms are hidden at each joint, adding a comfort factor to this dazzling example of classic chic.

Large Bamboo spring bracelet in 18k yellow gold ($5,690) and 18k white gold with diamonds ($20,300), Gucci. Bal Harbour Shops, 9700 Collins Avenue, 305-868-6504; gucci.com

100ml eau de toilette, John Varvatos USA ($70). Macy’s, Aventura Mall, 19501 Biscayne Blvd., 305-937-5485

Red ginger from Laos and Venezuelan tonka beans are just two of the many aromatic, globally sourced elements found in the new fragrance from John Varvatos USA. The sensual bouquet, in combination with the pleasingly sleek bottle (designed to resemble a 19th-century ink vial) make this worldly and completely new Varvatos scent a must-try for the polished, cosmopolitan Miami man with an edge.