By Alizée Chaudey By Alizée Chaudey | September 22, 2021 | People, Style & Beauty, Feature,
Founded in 1987 by Silvia Tcherassi (@silviatcherassi), the eponymous Miami-based luxury label is known for blending authentic Colombian craftsmanship with modern designs, creating timeless pieces that constantly draw inspiration from the city of Miami.Born in Colombia, Silvia Tcherassi began her career as an interior designer before pivoting towards fashion in search of new artistic expression. Often described as a trendsetter and trailblazer, she was awarded one of France’s most prestigious honors, the Officier de L'Ordre Arts et Lettres. The honor being a distinction bestowed on leaders of the international arts community, the savvy creative finds herself as one of the fashion industry’s leading figures.
Constantly evolving, the label recently became a mother-daughter affair when daughter of Silvia, Sophia Tcherassi (@sofiaetcherassi) joined the team as ready-to-wear Creative Director after graduating from Parsons School of Design. We chat with the duo as they give us an inside scoop on the roots of their inspiration and favorite Miami hot spots. Favorite place to shop in Miami:
Silvia: Bal Harbour, because I love open spaces and it also has a lot of the luxury stores that I like. Makoto, the restaurant, is an obligatory stop.
Sofia: Bal Harbour Shops for clothing and Antiques & Design mall for decor hidden treasures.
Favorite restaurant:
Silvia: Cipriani—the ambiance, view, décor by Michele Bönan and signature bellinis are always on point.
Sofia: Matsuri is a hidden gem sushi near our offices. I go twice a week. I love Osaka for weekend dinner and drinks.Best place for drinks & going out:
Silvia: Casa Tua has a lovely, colorful atmosphere surrounded by trees and nature. The food is magnificent as well.
Sofia: Los Felix- Great Natural wine and Record Bar!
Somewhere that inspires you:
Silvia: I find the curation at the Rubell Museum especially inspiring. A stroll through the place always gets my creativity going.
Sofia: Coconut Grove. The relaxed and secluded feel of my neighborhood paired with the rich history that it carries is the perfect contrast to Miami’s usual nightlife association. How do you reflect Miami and its culture in your designs?
Silvia: The first collection I presented in Milan was inspired by the flora of Coral Gables, especially the beautiful textured barks on the trees. More recently, Coconut Grove was very influential on another of my collections created during the quarantine period. My upcoming Spring-Summer collection has a significant Miami connection as well, as it draws elements from the architecture of Morris Lapidus—creator of some of the most iconic landmarks in the city.
Sofia: My coming of age years coincided with Miami’s cultural transformation and I think it definitely influenced my overall outlook on art and design. Perhaps it’s the proximity to the sea, but I feel there is a sort of ease in Miami that makes its way into our designs.
What is your creative process like?
Silvia: Materials are always the jumping point—there might be a certain direction or concept in the background, but fabrics are what inspire me the most. An important part of my process is devoted entirely to them, the majority of which are made especially for me in Italy. Unlike a lot of designers, my process does not begin with sketches or with a set idea for a concept—I like the pieces to slowly take on a life of their own.
Sofia: Compared to my mother, my approach tends to be more methodical while she is more intuitive. I like to start with mood boards, trend research and an analysis of our previous bestsellers and then dive into design.What is unique about the Miami fashion market?
Silvia: I am so proud of the transformations undergone by the city as they have elevated it completely. Art Basel truly changed Miami, making it an important epicenter of the art world. Major fashion projects like Miami Design District, Miami Dade College’s: Miami Fashion Institute, the arrival of Istituto Marangoni and the expansion of Bal Harbour speak volumes of the industry here. Miami has become a sort of creative hub and an international stage for fresh talent and innovative brands.
Sofia: For starters, I love that Resort and Spring-Summer collections are appropriate throughout the year. We keep this present while curating our store selections or thinking of events.
Photography by: Courtesy of Silvia and Sofia Tcherassi