September 25, 2020 | People Style & Beauty
What inspires the tastemakers, artists and influencers whose personal style inspires us? Hear from some of the fashionable folks who have caught our eye. And check out the September issue of Ocean Drive [@oceandrivemag] for the full list of Miami's Most Stylish 2020 edition.
Nina Johnson curator & gallerist
Describe your style in three words: Comfortable, colorful and playful
Who inspires your style? The artists I work with and whatever tasks I need to complete that day
Favorite designers: Willi Smith, whose recent exhibition at the Cooper Hewitt opened my eyes to the history of streetwear and the disproportional representation of Black designers in American culture. I always prefer vintage, so I’ve been scouring the web for his work since the show opened. I’m also a big fan of Kansai Yamamoto, who recently died. I’m lucky enough to own one of his sweaters with an incredible embroidery on the front.
Karolina Kurkova model & entrepreneur
Describe your style in three words: Forward feminine chic
Who inspires your style? Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy
Favorite designers: Yves Saint Laurent, Zimmermann, Gabriela Hearst, Johanna Ortiz, Thom Browne
Tyler Herro Miami HEAT rookie
Describe your style in three words: Effortless, free-spirited, flavorful
Who inspires your style? No one person or persons in particular inspire my style. My style comes from what catches my eye initially if I’m looking at something. It’s more of a feel. My style is inspired off of how the design or the color or the fit makes me feel whenever I find clothing that I am interested in.
Favorite designers: Right now my favorite designers would probably have to be Daniel Patrick, Dior and John Elliott.
Carolina Melo fashion consultant
Describe your style in three words: Spontaneous, fun with a bit of a masculine touch
Who inspires your style? I try to find, every season, an idea of what I will want to wear after I have seen the shows and the fashion campaigns, but sometimes a scene at a farmers market does more for my style than any fashion show does.
Favorite designers: I am a die-hard fan of Dries Van Noten, Stella McCartney, Riccardo Tisci and Isabel Marant. I was also a big fan of Phoebe Philo at Celine and Nicolas Ghesquiere at Balenciaga. Sometimes houses and designers just were meant to create magic; this happened in these last two cases.
Gabriela Medina influencer
Describe your style in three words: Eclectic. Bold. Versatile.
Who inspires your style? I am fascinated with vintage or any design with a retro vibe. I definitely love to bring inspiration from the ’20s to ’50s.
Favorite designers: I am in love with all Dries Van Noten runways for the great sense of juxtaposition. I always feel excited to support emerging designers all around the world, but especially proud to wear pieces from talented designers from my home country, Mexico.
Alexis Alease tastemaker
Describe your style in three words: Unapologetic, haute mess and effortless
Who inspires your style? I’m inspired by my mood or what the day has in store for me. If it’s a sunny day, I’ll feel more inclined to grab sneakers and a flowing skirt with a vintage tee, glasses and load up on accessories. If it’s a rainy day and I’m feeling more chill, I’ll throw on a sweatshirt , biking shorts and sneaks and roll that way.
Favorite designers: Cushnie, Dapper Dan, Olivier Rousteing
Miky Grendene and Leticia Herrera-Grendene Casa Tua owner & tastemaker
Describe your style in three words: MG: Timeless, elegant and personal. Never follow any trends.
Who inspires your style? I’ve always been a bit nostalgic about style. I look back at actors from the ’50s and ’60s where fashion, in my opinion, was at its peak: gentlemanly
and elegant.
Favorite designers: I’m not big on designers, but I do appreciate vintage Valentino, Yves Saint Laurent and Dior. And because style to me is more than just the clothes you wear, I’d be remiss not to mention my friend and architect Michele Bonan. Michele has designed Casa Tua in Miami, Aspen and most recently Paris, and we share the same love for beauty and elegance.
Anastasia Koutsioukis founder of Mrs.Mandolin & co-founder of Mandolin Aegean Bistro
Describe your style in three words: Creative, comfortable, unconventional, colorful, feminine (sorry I picked five)
Who inspires your style? 1960s and ’70s references. Slim Aarons’ photos of chic women in caftans, adorned in jewelry will always inspire. Mediterranean effortlessness.
Favorite designers: I love independent designers. I’m always on the hunt for something new and exciting. I have a closet full of dresses by Carolina K, Lisa Marie Fernandez, Ulla Johnson, Borgo de Nor, Ganni, LaDoubleJ—
or vintage.
Faith Rein Haslem tastemaker
Describe your style in three words: Tomboy/sporty, chic, comfortable
Who inspires your style? My sports background and my sister
Favorite designers: Isabel Marant, Chanel, Sandro, Louis Vuitton and Zara
Danié Gómez-Ortigoza artist
Describe your style in three words:Free-spirited, elegant and colorful
Who inspires your style? It’s a mix between indigenous tribes, the vibrancy of Mexico and the elegance of France.
Favorite designers: Isabel Marant, Carla Fernandez, Caralarga, Carolina K and artisanal huipiles from Chiapas and Oaxaca.
And the rest of Miami's Most Stylish names
From top left: Lenny Kravitz; Pharrel Williams; Ximena Caminos; Maluma; Devon Windsor; Iggy Pop; Alan Faena; Martha Graeff; Rick Ross.
Photography by: From top: by Gesi Schilling; by Genesis Bonilla; by David Alvarez/Miami HEAT; by hugo lee; courtesy of gabriela medina; courtesy of alexis alease; by Rafael Balcazar; courtesy of mrs.mandolin; by genesis bonilla; courtesty of Danié Gómez-Ortigoza;
