Meet six local designers who are making waves in the world of fashion and beauty.
“Never take fashion too serious, but make sure it makes you dream,” says Maryjane Claverol. “My designs have to be fun, magical and bring me happiness.” The Barcelona-born, Miami-based accessories designer goes above and beyond with her newest collection. Embroidered sequin turbans, rainbow earrings, beaded floral barrettes—every single whimsical piece is guaranteed to spark joy. And turn heads.
Headband, turban and earrings from the Maryjane Claverol spring 2020 collection available at Mary Jane Claverol
Ask Ayssa Di Pietro what inspired her to launch an après-beach beauty collection and she’ll show you pictures of—wait for it—her butt acne. “I was constantly in the ocean—kiteboarding, diving, boating—and I was unable to find a skincare product that healed the folliculitis blemishes wet swimsuits left behind,” she says, “so I used my background in science to formulate our signature bum cream.” The marine science grad looked to natural solutions, like antibacterial oregano and spearmint (there are no chemicals or steroids in the products) and then wrapped them up in chic art deco-inspired packaging.
Bum + Body Cream in Vanilla Orange and Mint, $45, Miami Beach Bum
When Chilean designer Bernardita Torres brought her brand of boldly colored separates to Miami, she came in with a roar. Literally. Friends and muses dressed in the newest collection and wearing playful tiger and lion masks loaded into a party bus and hit the town for a social media blitz. It was the kind of showing that made you want to be part of the Qüina crew. Now, with a new store in Aventura Mall, Torres is establishing her brand of wild, cool, free-spirited style as a must-have for every Miami woman.
From top: Blouse, $295, and slingback shoes, $340, Qüina
“As a born-and-raised Miami native, I’ve enjoyed seeing the local fashion industry evolve over the years,” says Cecie Gonzalez. Her contribution: Theme Dresser, a South Miami boutique that marries the artisans of Latin America with the shapes of American contemporary fashion. Think handpainted hats and unique denim jackets.
Yazúinaa x Theme Dresser hats, $160, Theme Dresser
“We want women to feel like there are no limits when they are wearing our bathing suits,” says Alexa Quirch, who co-founded Krewe du Q with her cousin, Sophia Quirch. “Diving? Krewe. Fishing? Krewe. Tanning? Krewe. Party? Definitely a Krewe.” After years of family vacations in the Bahamas, the designing cousins took inspiration from their surroundings to launch a line of swimwear that is equal parts Bond girl and girly girl. “Since we were young, we have always been obsessed with fashion and playing dress-up. We figured it would only be fit that we start our own bikini line that was inspired by all of our Bahamian travels and adventures.”
Staniel one-piece, $180, Krewe du Q
Jenny den Hartigh’s Coconut Grove home, which she shares with her husband, fashion photographer Ted Hartshorn, is filled with shells, stones, antiques and other treasures picked up all over the world. “I probably made my first piece of ‘jewelry’ when I was about 8, most likely made out of shells and beach glass that I had collected visiting the Mediterranean every summer with my family,” she says. What began as a childhood hobby morphed into a side hustle and then a full-blown jewelry line: Yenden Collection. “For many years, I was making new pieces and bringing them to photo shoots since people were always asking...” she says. “I just kept creating and selling what I made, had trunk shows here and there, and met many lovely private clients. Slowly this turned into my brand, Yenden."
Yenden Collection necklaces are available at Mrs. Mandolin, Design District.
Photography by: Qüina photos by Diego Armando Mendoza; Yenden photos by Ingle Fonteyne; Beach Bum, Maryjane Claverol, Krewe du Q and Theme Dresser photos courtesy of brands
