WORTH AVENUE, ONE OF THE WORLD’S MOST COVETED SHOPPING LOCATIONS, is now home to Venue on Worth. Recently more than 200 fashionistas took time to attend the private debut of the exclusive boutique. The store, located on Worth Avenue’s Via Encantada is poised to be the go-to place for Palm Beach’s fashion savvy. Padania wines, Bice Ristorante and DJ Jean Marc Halimi complemented the ambiance with their flawless service, free flowing wine, fabulous food and background sounds. One of the evening highlights was the projected slide show of the upcoming designs exclusive to Venue.
The opening night event provided the opportunity to meet some of the creators of the lines available at the store. Among them: custom cuff link designer Michael Kanners, House of Bastion jewelry designer Ramona Boucher and Royal & Rolande’s Celeste Miller. Other designers featured at the debut event were Liza & Tara’s fresh line of resort wear, stunning Chadwick Bell and Ghadah couture gowns, the exquisite fashion lines of Alexander Berardi, Ana Molinari for Blumarine, Johny Dodge’s innovative T-shirt collection, Onnet Designs and Celestine, a fresh fragrance created by local entrepreneurs Courtney Brown and Kai Hsieh. “This opening night was an unprecedented event that represented style in every sense of the word. This is exactly what Palm Beach needs and Worth Avenue is sure to benefit from this breath of fresh air,” said Lourdes Fanjul during the event.
Clients will benefit from a vast menu of services that include priority previewing privileges, a customized profile and home delivery service. Founders Alexis Posada and Danielle Bennemann have come up with a concept that redefines the fashion lounge idea for the select Palm Beach crowd and a vast international clientele in order to satisfy the discerning and chic individuals drawn to the island every year. “We are in the business of luxury. To some, this translates into saving time and money, to others it means allowing the customer to dictate when and how they shop, having access to pieces that are not available to the general public,” says Bennemann. “The Venue lounge will host events and offer clients a truly unique place where they can explore, access and enjoy the finest in fashion,” concludes Posada. SA

Photographed by Tom Tracy

By Lucy Bahamonde

THE SPRING-SUMMER 2009 COLLECTION BY CHRIS BENZ reflects a historical play on the first developing features of American sportswear. Chris deconstructs the 18th-century American aversion to formality and transforms it into a vibrant collection that echoes the imperfections of our era through organized chaos. The result is a beautifully crafted, feminine collection with a youthful and modern spirit.
In 2009 the seams remain untouched, colors fade in sun-bleached pastels, and sheer under-layers flow from crispy silk morning suits, baker’s shirts and cavalry jackets. Proportion remains consistent, loose and layered, over a tailored, tapered foundation. A mix of delicate military elements and texture enhance this sensibility. These concepts are stirred further with the introduction of a high 1960s undercurrent of tailored shifts, pegged trousers and color palette inspired by mid-century ceramics. Colors flow from milky hues of jade, coral, pollen and beige throughout and hints of vibrancy: vermilion, zinnia, sunburst yellow, grass green and bitters.
In this collection, Benz has appropriated his Seattle upbringing and his ability to create a unique American style, a breath of fresh air with a vision of meticulous but effortless design experimenting with vintage and surplus elements retooled in luxury and classic fabrics the set the temperature of new American sportswear. Chris Benz is fascinated by innovative proportions, expert tailoring and finishing detail. The designer recently previewed his collection at Neiman Marcus Coral Gables. SA

Images courtesy of Chris Benz

AN ITALIAN DELEGATION comprised of leaders and notables from the Milan Chamber of Commerce, the Fashion Committee of Lombardy, the National Chamber for Italian Fashion, Coveri Couture and Vernissage Fondazione Ambrosiana celebrated the Art of Italian Style recently at the Biltmore hotel in Coral Gables. The gala dinner featured a concert by The Academia della Scala di Milano, a fashion show by Italian designer Coveri Couture and musical performance by Paolo Meneguzzi. The mission of the Italian delegation is to promote business, arts and cultural ties between the two countries.
This initiative, created by the Beacon Council aims to raise Miami-Dade County’s profile as a fashion industry business destination by means of attracting high end brands that would ultimately establish showrooms, offices and distribution centers in Miami. The Magic City is a natural fit for this industry, which also includes lifestyle and luxury products such as cosmetics, design and jewelry. Miami’s worldwide popularity as a warm weather destination, prime location for photography shoots and reputation as a playground for models, designers and fashionistas is opening doors to attract a cross-section of the world’s fashion trend setters.
Miami-Dade has long developed an infrastructure that is poised to take this challenge. The city’s multicultural profile provides a door for many European luxury brands to reach the Americas. This initiative will enhance the economy of the area and help establish the city as one of the bastions for fashion merchandising business opportunities. It will also contribute to the diversification of Miami-Dade’s economy and promote the area as a global business center. SA

Since 1999, The Museum of Lifestyle & Fashion History has been making its mark in Palm Beach, so far having presented 17 exhibitions and establishing the popular narrated bus tours of Historic Delray Beach. Kicking off its campaign fund drive for its proposed permanent building, MLFH held its inaugural Palm Beach Style Luncheon. The honoree was design and fashion icon Iris Apfel.
Iris Apfel is recognized for her great sense of style as well as her contributions to the perpetuation of the educational significance of fashion. The luncheon honored her interior design career at Old World Weavers, which she owned with her husband Carl Apfel. Established in 1950 in New York City, Old World Weavers became one of the world’s most prestigious textile and design manufacturers.
The luncheon also featured guest speaker Ira Neimark, former CEO of Bergdorf Goodman. He has written a book named Crossing Fifth Avenue to Bergdorf Goodman in which he details his career working with the elite retail store. Attendees at the luncheon received autographed copies.
MLFH is a nonprofit museum that offers educational programs and exhibits to showcase lifestyle, culture, people, fashion trends, design and more. In the plans for the proposed new building is a permanent gallery dedicated to the style, fashion, interior designs and furnishings of Iris Apfel.

Photographed by Tom Brodigan

By Lázaro Pérez-Moré

Everybody loves Monique! This petite, beautiful woman is a creative dynamo that sounds too mature for her age. Her inquisitive eyes reflect her passion for fashion and design and her eloquence talks volumes of her talent for creating pieces that are structured but not stiff. In 2009 Monique Lhullier achieves a play on textures that is versatile, modern American, yet glamorous, luxurious and rich in color. “My new collection is inspired by a recent trip to the Bahamas,” said Monique during a preview of her Spring 2009 collection at Neiman Marcus Bal Harbour. Fashionistas were impressed by the delicate treatment Monique affords each of her pieces. The flowing, luxurious, impeccable gowns that make up this collection are flawless and tailored with a hint of Bohemian chic hidden behind the sensual fabrics.
Some of the pieces are as light as sea foam. The models seemed to levitate above the catwalk enveloped in the finest lace, silk, organza and tulle. The Caribbean influence is implicit through the use of color: the turquoise waterscapes, coral undertones and patterns reflecting tropical sea shells are all present to accent the neutral tones that characterize the designer. Ivory is still prevalent in this year’s creations, while bejeweled necklines on tailored denim dresses make an easy transition into day wear that complements her elaborate evening designs. Monique takes lace and organza to a place where few other designers can. The collection exudes a sense of subdued elegance that is not extravagant, but accessible, taking advantage of the right proportions of adornment, functionality and simplicity to create delicate beauty on the runway.
Lhuillier started her successful business as a wedding gown designer. The fantasy of wedding design is not lost in this collection. Two bridal dresses drew applause from the audience. The first was a feathery ivory gown steeped in fantasy; the second, a dreamy white tulle creation accented with crystals that would make the envy of any bride-to-be. With a roster of clients that includes Sarah Jessica Parker, Jennifer Connelly, Janet Jackson, Debra Messing, Angelina Jolie, Sharon Stone, Mariah Carey and countless other Hollywood luminaries, Monique still thinks about the everyday woman who loves to feel secure and elegant during the day or at a gala evening. Her resort and spring 2009 collections are available at Neiman Marcus as well other luxury retailers. SA

OUT OF THE FOUR SEASONS, spring inevitably carries the most anticipation. Will March come in like a lion, out like a lamb? On top of that, fashionistas are concerned with more than just the weather forecast; they want to know the projected path of the global storm known as Spring Fashion. The SA prediction: In like a Lam—as in Derek Lam’s Spring 2009 Collection.
During a luncheon presented by Neiman Marcus Coral Gables and Eva Hughes, editor-in-chief of Vogue México & Latinoamérica, Derek Lam made a personal appearance to show off his new season of style. Lam, who attended Parsons School of Design and worked at Michael Kors for 12 years, has led his own line since 2002, attracting attention from the start. His overall style is often described in terms of his clean silhouettes and use of stiffer, shape-keeping fabrics. Still, the use of fabrics in his spring line is also very fluid.
It is clear that a Californian fashion sensibility dominates Lam’s spring collection, which the designer describes as surfing inspired. “Every collection really has multiple ideas that kind of percolate,” Lam explained, “but definitely, my love of expressing the freedom of surfing…the ease when you see a surfer who does it well, that was the inspiration on some of the pieces.”
“This season in particular, I really wanted to emphasize what I love, which is the formal/informal quality that I think has a very modern point of view,” explained Lam. “I’m talking about not just jeans and t-shirts or when I talk of formals, it’s not just an evening gown. It’s that something in between.” One example of this was the “trouser gown.” He incorporated the classic elements of a formal gown while making it easy and sensible with a wide, flowing trouser leg. “While it may not be for everybody, it’s nice to know there’s an alternative for evening that’s as glamorous and as formal as a ball gown,” commented Lam.
Highlights of the collection are his easy dresses with adjustable drawstring waists and his use of natural nudes and coral shades. “They really are flattering; it’s not about bright, bright colors anymore,” said Lam. Other key looks include slouchy pajama jackets with asymmetrical scarf lapels, loosely cuffed utility shorts and cropped cigarette pants.
On his inspiration for becoming a designer, Lam shared: “I grew up always loving the arts, but I love arts as an application to problem solving. I think whether it’s figuring out a business or how a dress fits…these are all things I find very interesting and challenging,” he reasoned. “I would say my hobby has become my occupation, which is a wonderful thing.” Another wonderful thing: knowing that the spring season is right on track. SA