Chic Shopping
Invite Only at the Bath Club
By Amanda Del Duca
Social powerhouses Maria Elena Uzcategui and Susanne Birbragher hosted an afternoon of shopping, martinis and fun among girlfriends at the Bath CLUB, the ultra-lux condo building developed by Don Peebles.
Inside Maria Elena’s chic 8th floor unit that overlooks the ocean and features stunning interior design, friends like Cindy Dana, Katie Holtzman, Jeanne Kouri, Amy Segal, Claudia Taylor Brod, Jillian Jacobson and Johanna Abraham mingled and shopped collections represented by Uzcategui and Birbragher, as well as Alison Zhuk and Anick Vorbe.
Maria Elena, event host and Uzca jewels designer, is known for creating unique and uncommon natural materials with precious and semi-precious stones and divides her time between Miami and Florence, Italy. Her rich minimalist style with textured metals and snake motifs is tantalizing. Maria Elena showcased Uzca jewels along with her newest design venture, python handbags. From a gorgeous, purpley blue shoulder bag to a classic stonewash snakeskin clutch, the bags are sexy and sophisticated, perfect for the affluent Miami woman.
Susanne Birbragher is not only the associate publisher of ArtNexus magazine, she also represents Rinkel, a Colombian exotic leather bags and accessories brand, with business partner Kimberly Model. These jewel tone crocodile skin bags can be completely color customized from the outer skin to the suede interior. FYI, Rinkel is registered with CITES and designates five percent of its annual sale earnings for the preservation of the species and its ecosystem in Colombia.
Alison Zhuk brought some favorite pieces and fabric samples from her Petite Chic boutique. Her products are personalized gifts for any age or occasion and range from monogrammed custom bags, baby essentials, customized stationary to fashion accessories. SocialMiami’s Michele Sadkin special ordered a pair of monogrammed, metallic gold driving shoes.
Anick Vorbe is a Miami-based fashion designer who created a collection of handmade, one of a kind caftans and tunics. Using exclusively chiffon or silk fabrics, the pieces are intended to give women a smart, elegant option that is timeless. The pieces on display that afternoon were free flowing and unique unto themselves, including a few vintage Pucci prints. The line offers some serious versatility to any Miami wardrobe.
Overall, the chic afternoon shopping event was vintage social miami – fab locale, stylish fashionistas and stunning garments and accessories presented in the privacy of an invite-only setting.
Read about the Miami Chic Movement.
