The Runway of the World
It’s safe to say that the fabric of Miami is spun from an mélange of global threads. Our city is a melting pot of cultures, and the second night of Miami Beach Fashion Week served up just that, a trove of eye-popping fashions from across the globe.
Fashionistas of the Caribbean
First up in the Jamaica showcase was up-and-comer Ayanna Dixon, who blasted the audience with vibrant neon shades of blue, orange, and green. The vibe was resort-wear with a funky twist. Dixon’s models started things off with one-shoulder bathing suits paired with sexy black high heels. High-waisted flared pants in a light fabric were flaunted in a slew of delectable neon colors (our favorite was hot pink). Simple, go-to black dresses in a stretchy, curve-hugging fabric were also thrown in the mix.
© Venessa Monokian / MFbShenna CarbyKeeping with Dixon’s colorful palate was Shenna Carby. Carby wowed the audience with a yellow silk gown with hints of orange on the bottom; the model looked effortlessly glam. Mustard yellow dresses in various asymetrical cuts were also displayed along with pink and orange flowy jumpers. Draped dresses and tops in shade of coral and pale pink were also in store.
Next up was Jamaica Collective, a showcase featuring the works of three designers: Sandra Kennedy, Kenea Linton, and Barry Moncrieffe. This trio took the audience in a new direction with darker shades of bold reds and black. The key was comfort as the models sauntered down the runway in jersey black dresses in various cuts and lengths (our fav was a string-tie long black dress). For evening wear, sultry red velvety dresses with sheer red fabric on the back were in store.
Julan by Juliette Dyke came next showing off a resort-meets-the-city collection. Light purple belted dresses and pants paired with plunging neckline, loose, long sleeve tops mastered the perfect blend of comfy chic.
Poshe, by designer Camesha Powell, closed out the Jamaica show with a wallop of glam-rock. Gold zippers and metallic details were added to just about every look. Curve-hugging dresses and mini skirts in red and forest green were sprinkled throughout. Pleather jackets with gold zippers were paired with floral print dresses and skirts. Poshe also featured lace red and black dresses along with a provocative pleather and lace negligee. Our favorite look was a voluminous red short skirt with a long-sleeve red lace top.
Mod Men
Dominican designer Mauricio Alberino kept things simple yet sophisticated. Barefoot models strolled down the runway in linen white pants paired with an array of linen button-down shirts in various pale shades of white, green, and blue. Short sleeve button-downs in floral pastel prints were also in store along with bold blazers in red and green with white lining and button detail.
© Venessa Monokian / MFbMarithé & Francois GirbaudRobert Flores switched gears with a grey and black palate. Grey suits with ruffled white shirts paired with black vest and tie showed off a retro dapper look. Flores shook things up with bi-colored velour pants (one red leg and the other black) paired with a red jacket. The collection also showed off futuristic looks in bubble jackets with leather elbow pads. Board shorts in lighter shades of pastel green, orange and tan were sprinkled in along with tiny black bathing suits with rhinestones.
Design label Individual transported us to a post-apocalyptic future with deep charcoal greys and blacks mixed with metallic accessories. The models sported sci-fi sunglasses as they walked confidently in black cargo zipper pants paired with black trenchcoats. Grey, long sleeve, loose fitting shirts paired with dark cargo pants were also in the mix.
French husband and wife design duo Marithe Francois Girbaud turned out a casual downtown chic collection. Hooded sweaters in dark shades of blue and green paired with dark blue jeans were key. We loved the thin faded-wash sweaters in blue and red paired with jeans. The models accessorized their urban looks with large headphones, sunglasses, fedoras, and berets.
Electric Evening
Dubai designer Rocky Gathercole put on a carnivalesque show filled with feathers, chains, glitter, and body paint galore. Half naked men in black body paint were the gatekeepers of the runway, as the models- in the form of exotic creatures- took to the catwalk in elaborate, glittering crystal encrusted swimsuits paired with unique pieces such as butterfly wings, spidery legs with crystals hanging in the form of a chandelier, and wild protruding feathers. One of our favorites was a Dr. Suess-esque multi-color swirling, circular gown.
© Venessa Monokian / MFbPatuna Fashion House Patuna BushyheadNext up was Venezuelan designer Franco Montoro. The focal of this collection were trumpet gowns in pale shades with romantic sheer sleeves and backs. Pencil skirts and dresses in darker hues of green, maroon, and brown were also mixed in, paired with fitted demi-jackets. Our favorites were a coral trumpet gown and an adventurous, asymmetrical hot pink gown with cascading ruffles falling from one side.
Patuna Fashion House designer, Patuna Bushyhead, draped us in her airy, angelic gowns. Draping was the key ingredient in these goddess-like flowing, dresses that moved across the runway with elegance and ease. To add a touch of glam, each gown was embellished with just the right amount of crystal detail and/or rosettes. And to spice things up a bit, sultry high slits ran up the sides of some gowns as well as some plunging backs. Pale nude, blush, and grey were the dominant hues. Our top pick was a hypnotic grey silk gown with crystal details.
Damaris Rubio of the Dominican Republic gave us an eye-full of colors and stripes. Tropical yellow, purple and green were the colors of choice. Silk, bouncy, belted dresses with long, flared sleeves along with sultry v-cut backs and skin tight dresses with loose bodices gave the collection a modern touch. Embroidered feather hem lined mini dresses were also on display with matching headpieces. Our favorites were the sultry, long sleeve, sheer back gowns in red and black.
“Poetry in the form of fashion,” is how American designer Baron Levon Siamanto described his collection. A shimmering, sheer high-slit long skirt paired with a metallic-silver corset with a violin prop protruding from it was one of the many eccentric and whimsical designs featured. The models also flaunted paintings on paper wrapped around bouncy wire-skirt gowns as well as an American flag painted on cloth gown. Playful tattered, tapestry gowns were also mixed in along with look-twice oddities such as a white ruffled top with a large golden scissor hanging from a thin string in the back.
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