Bal Harbour Magazine Fall / Winter 2023 issue (preview)

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Bal Harbour Shops 305-868-4344

STYLE

JEWEL TOMES

Ever since Dolce & Gabbana launched its Alta Gioielleria (high jewelry) collection in Taormina in 2012, our dreams of maximalist accessories have never been the same. From high-quality gems and diamonds in unique cuts to enamels, corals, and even miniatures, there’s nothing subtle about the brand’s sculptural masterpieces. Rizzoli celebrates the Italian house’s first decade of fine jewelry as wearable art with a 384-page book dedicated to the craftsmanship, skill, and artistry behind these decadent pieces. Available at Books & Books.

BAL HARBOUR NEWS & BEYOND OF SAMANTHA BROOKS Dolce & Gabbana Alta
Gioielleria necklace PHOTO BY MASSIMO BIANCHI; COURTESY OF DOLCE & GABBANA ALTA GIOIELLERIA
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PAGE-Turners

What would fall book recommendations be without the luscious illustrated books that we’re known for? Here is a roundup of the most sumptuous .

NEW YORK CITY BALLET: CHOREOGRAPHY & COUTURE (RIZZOLI)

An in-depth look at the NYCB’s Fall Fashion Gala, where nearly 30 designer and choreographer collaborations have premiered.

SLIM AARONS: THE ESSENTIAL COLLECTION (ABRAMS)

The ultimate and most comprehensive collection of Aarons’s photography ever released, featuring more than 100 previously unpublished images.

AVEDON 100 (RIZZOLI)

A celebration of Richard Avedon’s enduring influence on photography and on visual culture worldwide.

LOUIS VUITTON YAYOI KUSAMA (RIZZOLI)

Louis Vuitton and artist Yayoi Kusama team up for the most ambitious partnership to date.

LATIN AMERICAN ARTISTS: FROM 1785 TO NOW (PHAIDON)

An essential survey showcasing the work of more than 300 modern and contemporary artists born or based in Latin America.

ARNOLD (TASCHEN)

This photographic homage to Arnold Schwarzenegger traces his journey from poverty to Mr. Olympia, to movie star, and to the Governor’s mansion in California.

All titles available at Books & Books

THE ATLAS OF CAR DESIGN: THE WORLD’S MOST ICONIC CARS (PHAIDON)

A groundbreaking survey of more than 650 of the most exceptional cars.

A CUT ABOVE

Ilham Mestour, Balmain Hair Couture’s artistic director, is one of the most visionary stylists in the industry. Here, she shares the secrets behind her sought-after tresses, shouts out her mentors, and debunks some myths about good hair.

Who has had the greatest impact on your career, and why?

Throughout my career I have had mentors at different stages who have taught me a lot, including Luigi Murenu with his perfectionism and technical skills. He provides me with guidance, support, and advice to achieve my goals and reach my fullest potential as a hairstylist.

Do you have any daily rituals?

My daily routine always starts with my hair. My curls need a little extra attention so I start with taking care of and styling my hair. I use the Balmain leave-in conditioner spray, and mix in our Curl Cream. I always finish my hair with a hero product: the Texturizing Volume spray.

What is the biggest misconception about hair? Any other hair myths to debunk?

One of the biggest misconceptions about hair is that it can repair itself. Once the hair is damaged, it cannot fully repair itself—you need the right treatments that can help improve the appearance and health of damaged hair. Another hair myth is that trimming your hair frequently makes it grow faster. In truth, trimming your hair only helps to prevent split ends and breakage, which can make your hair look and feel healthier, but it does not actually affect the rate at which your hair grows.

PHOTOGRAPHY © PARI DUKOVIC (NEW YORK CITY BALLET); ALBERT BUSEK, 1967 (ARNOLD); IVAN ERIK (MESTOUR); VOLVO CAR CORPORATION. USED WITH PERMISSION FROM VOLVO CAR CORPORATION; © 2023 SLIM AARONS/GETTY IMAGES MATTER OF STYLE
Count Filippo Theodoli’s Magnum speedboat docking at Il Pellicano, Porto Ercole, 1973, by Slim Aarons Costume design by Humberto Leon for Kenzo for the New York City Ballet
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Haute DENIM

Fresh ways to wear your favorite material, whether oversize, cut-o , distressed, or faded.

MARKET SHARE

Imagine you’re Harvey Specter and need something that suits your date night at Carpaccio. Where do you go to find something e ortlessly put-together?

To Emporio Armani’s new pop-up. Versatile, contemporary, and only here through January, the shop carries the Italian house’s Fall/Winter 2023 men’s and women’s collections across 3,100 square feet of space.

COURTESY OF EMPORIO ARMANI MATTER OF STYLE
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1 VERONICA BEARD blazer and skirt, 305.504.8574 76 BAL HARBOUR
786.437.9020
3 VERSACE jacket and skirt, 305.864.0044 4 BALMAIN blouse and pants, 305.397.8152 5 GUCCI pants, 305.868.6504 6 DSQUARED2 dress, 305.866.7880 7 ZIMMERMANN shirt and skirt, 305.397.8231 8 TORY BURCH skirt, available at Saks Fifth Avenue, 305.865.1100
STELLA McCARTNEY jacket and pants, 305.864.2218 10 COURRÈGES denim jacket, available at The Webster, 305.868.6544 11
ALEXANDER McQUEEN jumpsuit, 305.866.2839
2 VENETA
Bal Harbour Shops | 9700 Collins Avenue #213 | 305-866-2020

MARIA TASH HAS REVOLUTIONIZED THE WORLD OF

Since opening at Bal Harbour Shops in 2021, Maria Tash has been bringing her elevated piercing process and eye-catching jewelry designs to everyone from South Florida to South America. With a newly redesigned shop (she also has locations in Dubai, London, Paris, and Los Angeles), Tash continues to do for the piercing process what a couturier does for evening gowns, fine-tuning and custom-fitting piercings for a perfect look. Here, the native New Yorker discusses trends, finding your own personal style, and what to pierce next.

What is it like to get pierced at Maria Tash?

There are no rules: It’s about one’s personal aesthetic. We have a wide variety of styles in our case for many different areas of the ear, and if someone has standard first-lobe piercings and wants to add to their collection, we like to get an idea of how open they are to piercing different areas of the ear.

In addition to our patented Tash Studio virtual try-on software, our stylists have special tools to physically suspend pieces of jewelry the body for accurate in-store previews. We also look at skin tone for metal-color recommendations, as well as any notable physical features we may want to draw attention away from or toward, with the choice of jewelry and gemstones.

What if someone has never been pierced before?

If they are adventurous, I would suggest a less common cartilage piercing, such as a Tash Helix or Tash Rook. We also pierce a lot of children’s ears, in which case getting a set of well-angled first earlobe piercings is important, as they will likely have these piercings for life.

What mistakes do most people make when they get a piercing?

Many people have studs and rings that sit at mismatched angles. Maria Tash piercers are trained in my piercing aesthetic, which is called “forward facing.” The angles on multiple piercings should be parallel to each other and

sit so that the wearer can see them straight on. Also, it’s about the quality of the angles and placement, not the quantity of jewelry. Often, initial piercings done with studs need to be “downsized” to look optimal, and not stick out of the piercing like an antenna, which can also cause a piercing to shift over time.

Is there anything available at the Bal Harbour location that isn’t available elsewhere?

At Bal Harbour, I’ve released some unique pink diamond designs for the ears, as well as a special necklace and two-finger rings with hard-to-find hues of pink. I also have some Maria Tash high-jewelry pieces, some of which I designed for red-carpet events.

What’s in the works for the season ahead?

I’ve recently developed some new pieces that simulate the look of multiple piercings with a single piece of jewelry. There are also some new angular diamond-shaped solitaire studs, all invisibly set, with no prongs. And, I’ve just released the Tash Lobe— an earlobe piercing located where the lobe abuts the cheek, thereby creating a completely new look.

Saint Laurent’s Creative Director Anthony Vaccarello launched the Rive Droite concept in Paris and LA in 2019, and now select pieces from the collection of functional branded luxury items are available at Bal Harbour. Bike locks, surfboards, headphones, tumblers… surely you’ll find something essential.

PHOTO BY ELI SCHMIDT COURTESY OF MARIA TASH; COURTESY OF SAINT LAURENT
MATTER OF STYLE on
Louche LUXE
notable
Pavé diamond ruby Coronet with diamond briolette hoop earring Maria Tash
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Invisible diamond Apsara hoop earring 1 Lomography reloadable camera 2 Gradient skateboard 3 The Dude surfboard
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Bleach mules 5 Python-embossed basketball

TITLE SEARCH

Who doesn’t love the work of Ann Patchett? Her new novel, “Tom Lake” (Harper), has garnered rave reviews, and her loyal readership has made it one of the most talked-about bestsellers of the year. Ann also owns the wonderful Parnassus Books in Nashville, and nobody knows books like Ann. “‘The Deadline,’” by Jill Lepore (Liveright), is like a giant collection of fairy tales for adults,” says Patchett. “A collection of her essays, most of which originally appeared in the New Yorker, the book is a treasure trove of insight and intelligence to be dipped in and out of forever.”

Many have called this the year of Judy Blume: the documentary Judy Blume Forever, and the critically acclaimed film Are You There God, It’s Me, Margaret were both released. On most days, you can find Judy on the floor of Books & Books at the Studios of Key West—our outpost to the south, which I can proudly say Judy and her husband, George, are responsible for—recommending her favorite books. Recently, she shared her admiration for “Wellness” (Knopf). “If you loved Nathan Hill’s first novel, ‘The Nix,’ as much as I did and you’ve been waiting seven long years for his next, as I have, rejoice! You won’t be disappointed,” says Blume. “This brilliant storyteller has done it again.”

“Lessons in Chemistry” (Doubleday) by Bonnie Garmus is a phenomenon. It was on everyone’s best list in 2022 and its momentum has not slowed. Bonnie is quick to recommend Cat Bohannon’s “Eve: How the Female Body Drove 200 Million Years of Human History” (Knopf). “It’s a smart, funny, scientific deep dive into the power of a woman’s body,” says Garmus. “It surprises, educates, and emboldens.”

“The Exchange: After the Firm” (Doubleday) is John Grisham’s new one this fall. If you’re like me, you’ll welcome this sequel to the novel that launched the career of one of our most beloved storytellers. John is also a great friend of writers and booksellers everywhere. For his recommendation, he offered a classic debut by an author for whom he has the utmost admiration. Wiley Cash’s 2012 “A Land More Kind Than Home” (William Morrow) “is Southern gothic at its finest,” says Grisham.

Selling books for more than 40 years, with close to 15 of those years at Bal Harbour Shops, has been a dream. Guiding readers to their next book—a book that might change the way they view the world, create empathy, find beauty, or maybe, just maybe, provide a respite from this very challenging time—is my calling, and the calling of booksellers everywhere. It’s why we do what we do.

The most exciting season for publishing tends to be the fall. It’s always before the holidays that publishers put their best lists forward, and so it’s now that I’ve called upon our Books & Books booksellers, author friends of the store, and my own ear-to-the-ground instincts, to give you some of the titles we’re all most excited about.

As for my recommendations: “Gator Country” by Rebecca Renner (Flatiron) is a page-turning true story of the mysterious world of alligator poaching and its largerthan-life Floridian characters. I love the fierce music of Sonic Youth, and in “Sonic Life” (Doubleday), Thurston Moore, one of the band’s founding members, gives us a brilliant memoir of his early years—much of it spent here in Miami. Tananarive Due has been called one of the greatest living horror writers. And her new novel, “The Reformatory” (Simon & Schuster), is one of her best. It’s a gripping novel set in Jim Crow Florida that follows Robert Stephens, Jr., as he’s sent to a segregated reform school. Finally, in celebration of bookstores everywhere, you might want to give this to the book lover on your list: “150 Bookstores You Need to Visit Before You Die” (Lannoo Publishers).

PHOTO BY SUSIE HORGAN (KAPLAN)
WE ASKED BOOKS & BOOKS FOUNDER MITCHELL KAPLAN TO SHARE THE SEASON’S TOP TITLES—AND TO ASK A FEW AUTHORS WHAT’S ON THEIR READING LISTS, TOO.
MATTER OF STYLE
Mitchell Kaplan (Liveright) (Doubleday) (Harper) (Flatiron) (Knopf)
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(Lanoo Publishers)
Bal Harbour – 786-735-6446 extend your international limited warranty for up to 8 years on panerai.com

How would you describe your personal fashion aesthetic?

Classic with a twist.

You are an Emmy-winning contributor to CBS Sunday Morning. What are some of your go-to on-camera looks? Fitted pieces in solid colors work best. For camera, I wear a lot of Michael Kors Collection. The Hutton cashmere sweaters are particularly great. They come in a ton of colors and they’re super slimming. For shoes, I love Gianvito Rossi pumps. In the winter, I add Wolford Velvet de Luxe 66 tights.

As the host of “The Atelier with Alina Cho,” you have interviewed some of the top thought-leaders in the worlds of art and fashion. Who are some of the most inspiring people you have interviewed?

I’ve been lucky enough to interview everyone from Anna Wintour to Michael Kors to Vera Wang to Tory Burch. Other highlights include Pierpaolo Piccioli of Valentino and Olivier Rousteing of Balmain. Next year is my tenth anniversary hosting this series, so we are planning an exciting lineup. I can’t say who just yet but stay tuned!

ALINA CHO

BROADCAST JOURNALIST AND HOST

Veteran television journalist Alina Cho has made a career out of her uncanny ability to master everything from hard-hitting news to feel-good general interest stories to intimate one-on-one interviews. The former national correspondent for CNN currently serves as a contributor to CBS Sunday Morning, as well as the host of “The Atelier with Alina Cho,” a fashion-focused conversation series at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. She also authors her own Substack newsletter, “Cho & Tell,” serves as an editor-at-large at Ballantine Bantam Dell, and is producing an upcoming Netflix documentary on Martha Stewart. No matter what the award-winning multi-hyphenate is working on, there is one thing that remains constant: her inherently sophisticated sartorial sense. Here, Cho shares some of her current must-haves. —A.E.

You split your time between Manhattan and Bridgehampton. How does your style differ in each place?

My style is more relaxed at the beach, but no matter where I am, I’m most often in a dress. My favorite beach look—for the actual beach—is an Eres one-piece swimsuit, Missoni coverup, Prada straw hat, and Havaianas.

What are some of your favorite shops to visit at Bal Harbour?

I love, love, love Bal Harbour Shops!

Chanel and Prada are favorites, and I’m a big Saks Fifth Avenue shopper.

What fashion pieces are you coveting for Fall?

I’m currently coveting a red tweed Chanel bustier and Khaite black denim culottes.

What is your ideal look or style for a gala or charity event?

You can never go wrong with Chanel.

Ideal vacation ensemble?

Laboratorio in Capri is my favorite store for my European summer looks. Everything is handcrafted, and only a few of each style are made.

What are your favorite shoes for a night out? How about for day?

Chanel and Gianvito Rossi are my go-to shoes, day and night.

How about entertaining items or décor for the home?

Frette for bedding, Christofle for tabletop.

What are your makeup or beauty essentials?

I recently discovered Trish McEvoy makeup brushes and, I must say, what a difference a good brush makes!

Do you have any fall travel plans?

I’m hoping to sneak in a trip to Paris. My favorite hotel is J.K. Place. Owner Ori Kafri is all about the details and making sure guests are treated like royalty.

IMAGES COURTESY OF FRETTE, MISSONI, BALMAIN, CHANEL, PRADA, GIANVIO ROSSI, ERES, VALENTINO, JK PLACE, PORTRAIT BY BEN ROSSER/BFA.COM STYLE SETTERS
PORTRAIT BY BEN ROSSER
Balmain Fall/Winter 2023 Missoni coverup Gianvito Rossi Dositea sandals J.K. Place Paris Valentino Fall/ Winter 2023 Prada raffia hat Chanel tweed slingbacks Frette duvet cover
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Eres maillot, available at Saks Fifth Avenue
BAL HARBOUR SHOPS

EOR ES COUPET

INFLUENCER AND MODEL

Although tastemaker and social media star Georges “Monsieur”

Coupet has only worked in the fashion world for a few years, he has already made quite a lasting impression. “The pandemic was a wakeup call for me to focus on my true passion in life, which is a career in fashion and content creation,” says the charismatic native of Haiti, who moved to Miami 17 years ago, initially working in healthcare. Since launching his popular Instagram account, which chronicles his refined minimalist and neutral aesthetic, Coupet has gained more than 100,000 followers, signed with Ford models, sat front row at New York Fashion Week, and collaborated with top luxury brands, including Ralph Lauren, Chanel, Fendi, and Tod’s. “Getting to work with these incredible brands and to witness their impeccable craftsmanship and high-quality design first-hand has been a dream come true,” says Coupet, who plans to introduce a YouTube channel by the end of the year. “And—let’s be honest—the perks of keeping an item or two after a shoot don’t hurt.” Herewith, a few of his favorite things. —A.E.

burgundy. I love layering unexpected pieces; for example, wearing a varsity jacket with a suit and tie.

What is your go-to daytime look?

How would you describe your style?

Timeless, chic, and confident. My favorite era, where I get most of my inspiration from, is the 1990s. I love high-waisted trousers and oversized blazers. Having a good tailor is the icing on the cake.

What are some of your favorite boutiques at the Bal Harbour Shops?

My new favorite has to be Todd Snyder, which recently opened its doors. His pieces are classic yet still fresh and cool. Some others are Ralph Lauren, Orlebar Brown, Le Labo, Ferragamo, Zegna, Bottega Veneta, Tod’s, and Santoni.

Do you recall what your first Bal Harbour Shops purchase was?

I bought my first Gucci loafers years ago at the BH shops when I was in college. It was a special purchase. I remember saving for a while to get them—and I still have them.

What are the fashion pieces that you are coveting for fall?

Off-white pure wool workwear pants from Zegna, the Locklear leather moto jacket from Ralph Lauren Purple Label, and an oval buckle belt from Saint Laurent.

What Fall trends are you looking forward to?

I’m really excited about monochromatic looks with warmer tones like brown and

Linen button-up with jeans or linen/cotton trousers paired with leather sandals or espadrilles, and of course a pair of sunnies. I love the Hemmings Sun by Jacques Marie Mage.

Favorite beach or vacation ensemble?

A terry cloth top paired with my favorite Springer swim shorts from Orlebar Brown, and my Saint Laurent Rive Gauche tote.

Do you wear any jewelry?

I love wearing jewelry. I’d say I’m more of a gold than silver guy. I’ve mostly worn independent designers, but I’m looking to invest in some classic pieces from Bulgari.

Your Instagram account also focuses on interiors. What décor items do you love? Assouline coffee table books are great in any home, and my favorite candles are Le Labo’s Santal 26 and Figuier from Diptyque.

What is your favorite Bal Harbour restaurant?

Le Zoo. The food is always so delicious, and the ambiance can’t be beat.  My favorite dishes are tagliolini, chicken paillard, trout amandine, and the best part: vanilla crème brulee for dessert.

Are you traveling this fall?

I’m going to London in October. It’s my second visit. I’m staying at the NoMad ho tel and want to check out the Royal Botanic Gardens, St. James’s Park, and all of the British museums.

BY BRONWYN KNIGHT

IMAGES COURTESY OF NOMAD HOTEL (BY SIMON UPTON), SANTONI, SAINT LAURENT, RALPH LAUREN, LE ZOO, GUCCI, ASSOULINE, BULGARI, BRUNELLO CUCINELLI, DIPTYQUE, MORGENTHAL FREDERICS, ORLEBAR BROWN
STYLE
would
SETTERS PORTRAIT
Orlebar Brown Springer swim shorts Bulgari Serpenti Viper ring Gucci Jordaan loafers Assouline’s “Byron Bay” Diptyque Figuier candle Jacques Marie Mage Hemmings Sun sunglasses, available at Morgenthal Frederics Santoni high top sneakers Ralph Lauren Purple Label Locklear moto jacket Le Zoo London’s NoMad hotel Brunello Cucinelli bomber jacket
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Saint Laurent tote bag
TODS.COM tod’s bal harbour 9700 collins avenue305.867.9399

SUR la PLAGE

WE SET SAIL FOR ONE OF THE BAHAMAS’ MOST STORIED RESORTS, THE OCEAN CLUB, WITH OUR FAVORITE LOOKS FROM THE SEASON IN TOW. WITH ITS CRYSTAL BLUE WATERS, MANICURED GARDENS, AND ANCIENT CLOISTERS AS OUR BACKDROP, A ROMANTIC FANTASY PLAYS OUT WITH CHANEL, VALENTINO, SAINT LAURENT, AND BALMAIN TAKING THE LEAD.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID ROEMER STYLING BY ARYEH LAPPIN
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VERSACE dress, 305.864.0044; ALEXANDER McQUEEN earrings, 305.866.2839; SAINT LAURENT BY ANTHONY VACCARELLO cuffs, 305.868.4424; FERRAGAMO sunglasses, 305.866.8166

OVER THE LAST SIX DECADES, THE OCEAN CLUB HAS BEEN THE GETAWAY OF CHOICE AMONGST A CERTAIN SET OF COGNOSCENTI.

GUCCI swimsuit, gloves, and shoes, 305.868.6504; VALENTINO bag, 305.867.1215

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ISABEL MARANT dress, 305.763.8189; ALEXANDER MCQUEEN earrings, 305.866.2839; SAINT LAURENT BY ANTHONY VACCARELLO cuffs, 305.868.4424

THE CLOISTERS HAS STOOD WATCH OVER THE ENCHANTED VERSAILLES GARDENS AND POOL FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS. IT WAS PURCHASED BY THE OCEAN CLUB'S ORIGINAL OWNER, HUNTINGTON HARTFORD, WHO BEGAN TO DEVELOP THE RESORT IN 1960.

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FERRAGAMO dress, earrings, and bag, 305.866.8166 BAL HARBOUR BALLY jacket and boots, 305.866.0311; ROGER VIVIER clutch, 305.868.4344; MARIA TASH earrings, 305.938.0949 BALENCIAGA top and skirt, 305.864.4932; CHLOÉ necklace and bracelet, 305.861.1909; TIFFANY & CO. rings, 305.864.1801; ARA VARTANIAN ring, 305.397.8694
170 BAL HARBOUR

CHLOÉ swimsuit and boots, 305.861.1909; CHANEL bag, necklace, and earrings, 305.868.0550; ISABEL MARANT sunglasses, 305.763.8189

GUCCI bikini, dress, and sunglasses, 305.868.6504

BURBERRY dress and bag, 305.702.5615; FERRAGAMO shoes, 305.866.8166; ARA VARTANIAN rings, 305.397.8694; CHLOÉ earrings, 305.861.1909

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SAINT LAURENT BY ANTHONY VACCARELLO top, trousers, earrings, cuffs, and sandals, 305.868.4424 174 BAL HARBOUR
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GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI Frannie thigh-high boots, available at Saks Fifth Avenue, 305.865.1100; WOLFORD tights, 305.868.4044
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VALENTINO dress, 305.867.1215; BOTTEGA VENETA Drop earrings, 786.437.9020
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ROBERTO CAVALLI dress, 305.865.1749; PRADA sunglasses, 305.864.9111; SAINT LAURENT BY ANTHONY VACCARELLO vintage Spiral earrings, 305.868.4424

PHOTOGRAPHER: David Roemer/ Atelier Management

STYLIST: Aryeh Lappin/ De Facto

MODEL: Aubry Hill/ Wilhelmina Models

HAIRSTYLIST: Gonn Kinoshita/ The Wall Group

MAKEUP ARTIST: Virginia Young/ The Wall Group

PRODUCERS: Cindi Blair, Chad Arrogante

PHOTOGRAPHY ASSISTANT: Ernesto Urdaneta

STYLIST ASSISTANT: Trey Hemmings

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FOR EVER VER SACE

WE CELEBRATE VERSACE’S INEXTRICABLE TIES TO MIAMI—INCLUDING ITS FIRST GLITTERING BAL HARBOUR SHOPS BOUTIQUE.

LONGTIME FRIEND OF THE HOUSE DOUG ORDWAY SHARES A PHOTO

ESSAY CAPTURING THE EARLY ‘90s ZEITGEIST—FROM

THE STREETS OF THE MAGIC CITY TO BACKSTAGE IN MILAN.

Just after Christmas in 1991, Italian designer Gianni Versace, en route to Cuba on vacation, stopped in Miami to attend the opening of his new 3800-square-foot Bal Harbour Shops boutique. The new store, described as a “space-age palazzo” in the Miami Herald , would be his Milan fashion house’s most over-the-top American outpost, with mirrored columns, plush velvet curtains, and imposing Greco-Roman style ebony chairs. The black marble floors were inlaid with iridescent glass tiles that formed tropical plants, coral reefs, and other decorative patterns. Versace’s newly introduced Medusa-head medallion logos were everywhere.

Versace was the toast of the town at the opening party, surrounded by models and fashion editors, along with his sister, Donatella, and actress Sandra Bernhard, among other high-profile well-wishers. Afterwards, as legend has it, he asked a cab driver to take him somewhere “fancy and fun.” They wound up on South Beach, which was just beginning to

emerge from decades of neglect, parked in front of an imposing stone building on Ocean Drive with a bronze statue of Aphrodite in front.

Versace was smitten.

Thirty-two years after the designer first glimpsed what would become his Miami pied-à-terre, Versace’s fashion legacy remains inextricably intertwined with the city whose exuberant, pastel-hued, tropical lifestyle he helped propel. As he laid down roots in South Beach in the 1990s, Versace added jet fuel to the fashion transformation already underway, as modeling agencies began sprouting like mushrooms. The Art Deco buildings along the beach became the backdrop for every hot new campaign—as well as inspired some of the imagery captured by lensman Doug Ordway and featured in the book “South Beach Stories,” published in 1993 by Gianni and Donatella Versace.

Here, the longtime Versace collaborator takes us behind the scenes of some of his most memorable images.

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the book

ALL PHOTOGRAPHY BY DOUG ORDWAY BAL HARBOUR 205
From “South Beach Stories,” (Leonardo Arte) 1993. Models shot at the International Swimming Hall of Fame, Fort Lauderdale, November 1992 Christy Turlington for “South Beach Stories,” Crandon Park, Key Biscayne, November 1992 Versace Uomo campaign, Crandon Park, Key Biscayne, March 1992
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Gianni Versace and Stephanie Seymour for Amica Magazine, Paris, 1990s

“After working as Bruce Weber’s assistant for three and a half years, I relocated to Milan in 1989 to start my own photographic career. I spent six months there doing ‘model tests,’ but didn’t have much luck getting clients. Milan was about to close for August holidays, and I was questioning if I would return come September. At just the right moment, a make-up artist friend came to town to work on the Versace show, and asked me to stop in. I instantly clicked with everyone at Versace, and they invited me to come the next day and take some photos for the launch of their new line, Versus. They loved the photos and hired me the following September, as well as for many seasons afterwards, to shoot backstage at their main fashion shows. Gianni was so happy with the images from one of the men’s shows that he decided to use the photos for his advertising campaign.” —DOUG

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Backstage Versace, Fall 1994, Milan
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“South Beach Stories,” South Beach, Miami, November 1992
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“I was thrilled when Gianni decided to send me to South Beach, with huge suitcases filled with leather and printed silks. He and I looked through his library of books for inspiration, and then he sent me alone, as a young photographer, to see what I could do. The first images I created were the groups of men together. This was the beginning of what would become the book, ‘South Beach Stories.’ ”

—DOUG ORDWAY

“South Beach Stories,” International Swimming Hall of Fame, Fort Lauderdale, November 1992
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“I was a bit of a ‘wildcard’ as Versace was known to work with the best of the best photographers. I continued for years as Gianni’s wildcard, always shooting backstage imagery, as well as a variety of the main campaigns.”

GUTTER
Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington, Naomi Campbell, Atelier Versace after-show celebration at Donatella Versace’s hotel room, Ritz Paris, July 1990 Campbell, backstage at Versace, Milan, 1990s
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Versace Uomo campaign, South Beach, Miami, March 1992
BAL
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