At Night Owl with Paloma Soyka

© Pamela Wasabi / MFb

Night Owl is a small boutique illuminated by its own moonlight - the radiant presence of Paloma Soyka, the girl behind the counter covered in classic relics from her wrists up to her neck. Her vintage yet contemporary style is a contrast to Miami’s typically hip scene. Hip can be cool but she is cooler for appreciating fashion as an art and for projecting style and self-confidence everywhere she goes.

I enjoyed some sangria with Soyka on Night Owl’s patio one balmy night last week, while we shared some laughs and talked vintage style.

Describe your outfit from head to toe.

My staple candy striped nails. Marc Jacobs’ polka-dot skort with pockets – so necessary. My boots are from Florentini+Baker a great boot Italian company, but I got them from Barney’s CO-OP at Aventura. I have only had them for a year but I’m hoping they last ten more. My top I got it at LF stores, it’s a regular shirt, cropped with attached lace at hem and it says Police in front and back.

Tell me about your jewelry habits, and describe what are you wearing right now.

© Pamela Wasabi / MFbI keep my on my right arm the vintage more chunky pieces, stuff that I don’t have to take off or if I do they are easy to manage. It’s basically my most precious pieces. Right now I have some chunky chains, a Hermes leather strap and my golden metal snake bracelet.

On my left arm I have bracelets I’ve gotten over the years, or that I like to collect, or I get in travels like my wish tie bands. I try to keep it simple so I can wear my watch too.

On my neck I've got a delicate necklace with a diamond that my mom got for me, a locket charm chain from New York, a bullet necklace from HOWL – a line by local designers that I carry at the shop. Also got these black and gold chains that I got in LA and my favorite brass kitchen charms necklace from Night Owl.

What’s key about your style?

My style can change every day. I like wearing dresses but I add a punk flavor to it - like nice spring dresses with vintage edgy dark boots. I like having somewhat of a dark side added on to my outfits. Definitely my bold fashion statement will be my accessories, my nails and to layer my clothes when the weather allows me too.

Who is your fashion muse?

My mom and her effortless style. She fits anywhere with her self-confidence. That’s what style is all about.

Tell us now about your store, what’s the concept behind Night Owl?

It’s my mom’s and mine, she is the shopper and I’m the shop girl. We feature vintage accessories; we display pieces that we have fallen in love with and sure if you are into vintage fashion you will love too. Night Owl opens at 6 p.m. and closes at midnight so that [in and of] itself makes it special. It gives you the option of rolling out of bed and swinging by for a cocktail next door at The News and then getting yourself a cute little vintage accessory at Night Owl.

What’s so special about vintage fashion?

It’s so much more individual, when you get something vintage you are buying a piece no one else is going to have. It’s unique. It’s different. Besides, fashion always revolves around the past. When you see a vintage piece you've got to accept it with its flaws it’s part of its beauty. It’s something that has history built in it.

If vintage is different, how ready do you think Miami is for something different?

I think that in the past five years and with Art Basel's presence Miami’s has broadened its horizons. Yet, I feel people are afraid to voice their opinion, I don’t mean to generalize, but as a whole Miami likes to follow rather than to make a statement. However, if people are into vintage or not I have had many enthusiasts just admiring the store as is.

Have you thought of carrying clothes in your store?

It’s something that we have tried to keep away from, since we only carry vintage; if we offer clothes they can’t come in different sizes you have to buy as is. Accessories and bags can suit everyone. But, who knows we might bring some key pieces in the future, and you’ll have to play with luck.

What’s you favorite Night Owl piece?

© Pamela Wasabi / MFbEverything that I love I steal from the store first! I have a couple, but the most special ones are this salt and pepper ceramic baby pheasants birds in orange and yellow. And this metal bold chain bracelets with New York buildings as charms.

What will Night Owl be in twenty years?

The same spot filled up with merchandise to the ceiling, and my mom and I will be these old crazy women knowing exactly where everything is and where everything came from.

When the clock strikes midnight, is time for?

On the weekends I tend to keep the store open later than midnight, my best hours are 1am when costumers had one to many cocktails. But after I close I got to Bardot with my friends and mom to dance and sip some white wine.