Die-hard socialistas will brave anything to get their fashion on and Fashion’s Night Out (FNO) at the Village of Merrick Park proved that point. Hundreds of fashion-lovers endured an endless downpour (in horrible Miami heat of course) to attend the fashion show in the courtyard. Not kidding. We were sitting under the pouring rain but the folks at The Village of Merrick Park were chic and savvy enough to have bright blue umbrellas emblazoned with the Merrick Park logo at the ready to hand out to VIP guests for this major fashion emergency. The runway show went on as planned but with the models walking in the rain, adding movie-like romance to the whole thing. It was brilliantly styled by “Sex and the City” celebrity stylist Danny Santiago, a renowned name in fashion and it was emceed by “Ocean Drive” magazine editor-in-chief, the ever-chic Suzy Buckley.
Village of Merrick Park launched its first ever Fashion’s Weekend Out with a series of boutique parties and shopping incentives with charity partner, Fashionably Conscious. Stylish hosts such as Sarah Arison, Louise Aguirre, Margarita Codina, Lourdes Jofre-Collett, Alicia Cervera Jr., Mark Ferrari, Darlene Perez, Susan Kronick and more hosted intimate in-store events throughout the shopping destination, welcoming other socialistas and stylish gents to empty their closets and make room for items from the new season.
We scampered out of the rain (blowouts completely destroyed) and made our way to Neiman Marcus for another, even bigger fashion show. You know we can’t get enough of this stuff. Hosts of the spectacular evening included Becky McCarron, Carolina Argiz Orozco, Maria Arguello, Christy Cartaya, Christina Getty-Maercks, Jessica Lopez, Debbie Powell, Kristen Munroe, Criselda Breene, and Abby Zanarini.
Close to 1,000 fashion-lovers attended that night with the event kicking off with a Fall Trend Fashion Show hosted by that sassy Shireen Sandoval of Deco Drive. Love her. Stephen Brunelle, the very dapper and charming Vice President and General Manager of Neiman Marcus, welcomed the crowd along with Katina Taylor of the Jason Taylor Foundation.
Shireen got the crowd revved up by introducing the surprise opening act: a wild dance number – think MTV Music Awards — by Jay Marcos and his dance team, Video Synch.
The runway show featured the hottest names in fashion today and included the latest fall looks from Tom Ford, Lanvin, Balenciaga, Givenchy, The Row, Herve Leger, Alaia, Fendi, Emilio Pucci, Stella McCartney, and many more. It wasn’t all just about the fashion either. The models’ makeup was from the new line from Aerin Lauder for Estee Lauder “Aerin.”
Many of the ladies were pampered with mini manis by Nailbar and Beauty Lounge – Midtown Miami, and updated their do’s with braids in the Braid Bar by BLO Blow Dry Bar Midtown Miami. Guests enjoyed “Summer Punch” cocktails by Grey Goose Vodka, Peroni Beer and Perrier. Dinner bites were provided by STK Miami.
Neiman Marcus was pleased to support the following charities for the evening: the Bass Museum, Beaux Arts, and The Miami Symphony Orchestra.
*Fashionably Conscious Fundraising Sale
This year, Fashionably Conscious celebrates its five-year anniversary and moves into its new home – Village of Merrick Park. The designer sale benefits Coconut Grove Cares’ The Barnyard Community Center, offering discounted pricing on donated designer items from the most desired closets of Miami’s respected socialites and CEOs.
PHOTOS: EDUARDO FORD
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