Designers have a gleam in their collective eye for fall 2011, with the brilliance of metallic finishes lighting up more than one collection. From Jason Wu to Alexander Wang to Lanvin’s Alber Elbaz, the focus on shine, particularly in accessories, is rooted in a sort of notice-me confidence that seems tailor-made for Miami. Here we spotlight three of the season’s best. Each is sure to add a magical touch to a night that starts at Casa Tua and ends at LIV, or any other moment you choose to step into the limelight. After all, if you’re going to live in the Magic City, shouldn’t your look cast a spell?


CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Lytton clutch, Diane von Furstenberg ($345). Bal Harbour Shops, 9700 Collins Ave.; dvf.com. Night Tube paillettes clutch, Roger Vivier ($1,725). Bal Harbour Shops; rogervivier.com. Gold Chameleon heel, Fendi ($935). Bal Harbour Shops; fendi.com

Villains today are more famous and interesting than heroes,” says Salo Lekach, CEO of New Wave Fragrances, from the set of a steamy ad campaign. “Who’s more interesting, after all: Céline Dion or Lady Gaga?” Such was the inspiration when he took on the challenge of producing the latest scents for clothing company Ed Hardy, dubbed Villain.

New Wave has produced scents for True Religion and BCBG Max Azria. The assignment with Ed Hardy, a brand born from the art of California tattoo maverick Don Ed Hardy, was to elaborate on the bad boy/bad girl image but to also connote a sultry sophistication. Once the idea was established, the chemistry began. Perfumers of Swiss fragrance manufacturer Givaudan spent months developing both the men’s and women’s versions.

“Our job isn’t easy,” says Adriana Medina-Baez, who created the men’s fragrance. “We’re very much scientists and artists at the same time.” Drawing from a palette of 1,500 ingredients, Medina-Baez strove to create warmth and magnetism using pepper, Italian bergamot and cardamom in the top notes; basil, sage and nutmeg in the mid notes; plus an alluring base of musk, amber, cedar and sandalwood. “We went for a sexy, Far East perspective,” she says. “It has the elements of exotic places, conjuring faraway lands.”

For the women’s version, perfumer Marypierre Julien took inspiration from a sea siren, aiming for a scent that unfolds in waves. “I was asked to focus on the sugared ‘brûlée’ of crème brûlée,” says Julien. There are also feminine notes of lychee, watermelon and citrus baked by “heat” provided by elements of fresh, soft woods and musk. “We wanted the sense of hot skin,” she explains.

Then there’s the ever-important packaging. Trading on Ed Hardy’s “inked” aesthetic, the team developed three-dimensional sculptural visions tattoos, which is no small engineering feat. “It was very complicated to transform the art into a sculpture. But we worked with 3-D packaging designers, an engineering group and a marketing team to create the perfect vessels. There were many iterations.” When all was said and done, what was Lekach’s reaction? “We see Villain as the next generation of the Ed Hardy customer,” Lekach says. “It’s the refinement of Ed Hardy.” Ed Hardy Villain launches in October at Nordstrom, Macy’s, Dillard’s and Sephora locations across South Florida.

J Brand just upped the ante for its fashion forward and social media-inclined shoppers. Visitors to the brand’s revamped website can now virtually try on clothes, get opinions from their friends and inspire people all over the world with their sense of style. The new site is filled with denim recommendations for various body types and features enhanced photography and zoom options from all angles. Perhaps the most exciting innovation is the ability to share virtual ensembles with followers and friends on Twitter and Facebook for feedback. Also new are style notes from top fashion experts such as NYLON editor-at-large, stylist and girl about town Dani Stahl, Esquire fashion editor and stylist Nic Screws and L.A. stylist of Rachel ZoeProject fame Brad Goreski. Style inspiration photos and guest blogs from contributors such as Song of Style’s Aimee Song add to the shopping and style spotting experience on the new site. And the new J World page allows visitors to upload personal style snapshots as well as browse photographs posted by others, which are seemingly endless in numbers and sartorial inspiration. 

FROM LEFT: Stacy Studnik and Cory Papunen

Cousins Stacy Studnik and Cory Papunen come from a long line of fashion plates, but they started their own handbag-design company, Vintage Reign, just two years ago. “We had lots of experience with bags in general, just being girls,” Studnik explains, “and our entire family for generations back has been in manufacturing and retail.”

When Studnik and Papunen create a bag, they take into account three factors: “First, one of our major considerations is texture,” Papunen says. “If a material is not something we like to touch, we’ll skip over it, because women need to handle their bags all day. The second is function. We like to look at our bags like art, but while we’re doing that we’re thinking of how each opens and closes, and are there enough pockets? The third thing we keep in mind is the cultural context,” Studnik adds. “When we visit an exotic location, we’ll often decide to use materials we saw there.”

Our Favorite Vintage Reign Bags

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The Fill Her Up clutch in rust ($410)

 

The Coco satchel ($290)

 

The Mimi hobo in golden olive ($396)

 

The Cici clutch in blue embossed snake ($280)

 

The Traveler belt bag in gold ($160)

 

The Fill Her Up tote in black and white ($410)

 

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Argentinean-born, Miami-raised designer Carolina Loyola followed in the footsteps of her mother (jewelry designer Adriana W. Loyola), creating delicate pieces inspired by her travels—such as this necklace infl uenced by her recent journeys in Asia. Loyola works with artisans from Italy and South America to create her stunning gold and silver collections. Green Grass, 54 SW 10th St., Miami

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Nars lip gloss, as well as Le Crayon Lèvres in Cardamone from Chanel

 

Bobbi Brown Bronzing Powder in Medium

 

Essie Waltz, as it’s so light and looks natural and clean

 

Sisley gives my skin the right level of hydration for Miami’s climate

 

I love the feel of Sisleÿa by Sisley. It keeps the delicate area under my eyes moisturized all day

 

Seaweed Shampoo by Bumble and Bumble, which doesn’t strip my hair of its natural oils

 

La Roche-Posay Anthelios 45 Ultra Light Sunscreen Fluid. It’s one of the most important parts of my daily beauty routine

 

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Argentine native Gisela Lowenstein knows that a clean and well-run household—be it mansion-size or modest—can be key to a blissful life. And as a mother and breast cancer survivor who needed some extra help around the house, she realized everyone could benefit from some tips. She developed The Glow System DVD and flashcard series, which aims to demystify the housecleaning process for you (or your hired help) by offering tailored cleaning schedules, useful tips, hospitality-industry secrets and more. Here, we discover what gives Lowenstein her warm, healthful glow.

A look from Vintage Mavens

Secondhand shopping can be fun—minus all that digging through endless racks to find the piece you truly covet. Cue a new crop of locally based online vintage shops offering a great selection of goods, sans the musty thrift-store aroma.

Vintage Mavens
Part shopping website, part fashion editorial, this site leans toward the visual with regularly updated glamorized lookbooks shot around town. vintagemavens.com

Fox House
Launched by local art director/stylist Tobi Salver, the site specializes in vintage clothing and accessories plus new, vintage-inspired styles. myfoxhouse.com

Vegetal calf and metal sandals, Lanvin ($785 each). Bal Harbour Shops, 9700 Collins Ave.

She was born María Carolina Josefina Pacanins y Niño in Caracas, Venezuela. You know her as Carolina Herrera, who since founding her New York-based label in 1981 has excelled at creating luxurious, sophisticated clothes whose crisp lines never belie their romance. Herrera’s collection, counted among our favorites this season, is a spotlight on botanical prints based on 18th-century plates and imbued with the details of traditional Korean clothing, with obi-like belts and sashes adorning many a gown. Florals are everywhere this spring, but Herrera elevates these blooms to hothouse status.

FROM LEFT: Silk faille and floral Impressionist jacquard gown ($4,290) and floral Impressionist jacquard cocoon dress (price on request). Carolina Herrera. Bal Harbour Shops, 9700 Collins Ave.

Pitusa brings a splash of Peruvian color to an increasingly green US with its eco-minded Trackie pant—derived entirely from recycled bottles. Complete the look with a supersoft Inca headband (seen here), and you’ve got yourself the ultimate assemblage of guilt-free garb. Haus Fashion, 3509 NE Second Ave., Miami