Miami Fashion Week Returns

When you live in Miami, it’s easy to forget that what comprises 90 percent of our daily wardrobe – Pucci caftans, floral sundresses, sequined turbans, and vintage maxis from the 1970s – is considered vacation wear for the rest of the world. So naturally, the Resort Collections are always a favorite, with runways offering tropical goddess looks we can wear for both work and play, as well as vacay.

What we saw at Miami Fashion Week – the CFDA-recognized organization which presented a week of Resort 2023 shows earlier this month after a two-year hiatus – was so much more extra than we had expected, though. Two designers in particular — Naeem Khan and Rene Ruiz – wowed us with truly stunning collections, each show held at a different museum, a clever idea.

At the Frost Science Museum, society couturier Naeem Khan delivered a strong showing of gorgeous glamazon caftans and red carpet-worthy gowns in cheery oversized florals, exotic brocades, and painterly ombre’ chiffons that made us long for a good house party at a chic private estate someplace fun like Palm Beach or Monaco where people still dress, or an Italian lovers’ getaway in magical Capri (attention, Mr. D’Annunzio) where excess is never discouraged.

Of the many stand-out looks, a lemon-yellow, palazzo-pant silky jumpsuit with a sweetheart-necklined halter top and long, fluttering, unattached sleeves that tied around the upper arm, keeping the shoulders bare, will end up haunting my dreams. It’s that divine.

RR by Rene Ruiz Resort 2023 at Gary Nader Art Centre

Popular Miami-based designer Rene Ruiz was inspired by the Andalusian region for his sleek 45-piece Resort 2023 collection, which showcased day, evening, and swim wear for both women and men. Transparent fabrics, bold hues, shimmery silver paillettes, and sophisticated black-and-white polka dot prints filled the maze-like runway which wove its way past giant Botero paintings on the clandestine 2^nd floor of Gary Nader Art Centre in Wynwood.

Miami’s hip glamour set including Dana Shear, Martina Borgomanero Basabe, Laura Buccellati, Brooke Bagletter, and Tatiana Teo and her lovely daughter Aisla Teo, among many others, came out on a very rainy day to support Ruiz, who clearly knows what his swans want. The swoon-worthy looks included a sequined psychedelic mini wrap dress, a one-shouldered fitted sheath in a mix of black-and-white polka dots, and a super cute, ruffle-top romper in a floaty cobalt blue fabric edged in a thick border of silver metallic.

For the gents, Ruiz gave us cabana boy loungewear, South Beach-style – satiny fuchsia-and-emerald, bateau-necked loose T-shirts over tight short-shorts, SO fun — and several impeccably cut suits in pale blue or dove grey summer plaid that every Miami fashionisto should have in his closet.

Yvonne Rosemeier Silver’s Birthday Fete at Varsol

A girl doesn’t turn 25 every day, so when Yvonne Rosemeier Silver was approaching a special birthday, devoted husband Scott Silver took over the party planning and invited her sizeable inner circle to a very festive dinner party in her honor at Varsol by Akashi, a great new Japanese restaurant in Coconut Grove. (When you go, get the tuna tartare – it’s one of the best we’ve ever had, anywhere.)

The birthday queen was dressed for the occasion in a Dolce & Gabbana jeweled crown (YES!), a fuchsia-and-black-checked Balenciaga Hourglass blazer over a black bustier and mini-skirt, and made-to-order fuchsia patent Louboutin stiletto pumps (they took nine months and cost thirty percent more, in case you’re wondering) – which all made for the perfect photo op next to her fantastical dessert table with its Chanel-themed birthday cake, pink chocolate-dipped strawberries, and custom iced cookies in the shape of quilted chain-strap handbags, which were beyond adorable.

Not to be sartorially outdone, Mr. Silver wore blinged Swarovski-studded Louboutin sneaks with his understated black sweater and pants, both by Y3. Bonded by love, not to mention fashion, this perfect couple gave us all the feels, especially during their serenade-turned-duet of The Carpenters’ “Close to You,” which we added to our playlist the next morning.