When I think of India Hicks, I think of the gleaming Pink Sand in Harbour Island in the Bahamas. The next thing that comes to mind is my favorite yellow caftan, designed by Hicks, that I travel with, often. It is one of my favorite Caribbean-esque garments in my closet and I have worn it, and re-worn it (a MsErinsita faux-pas), so when my dear friend Lara Shriftman personally emailed, asking me to be one of a select few ladies and gents in Miami to attend the new book launch, I replied “Anything for u. J’adore u and will wear her caftan!”
Unfortunately, I had to cancel last minute for personal reasons and head back to Mexico City, however, according to Maria Tettamanti and Martina Borgomanero, two MAJOR tastemakers in my book, the soiree at Makoto was extraordinarily as chic as it gets, and rather intimate. Harrison Shriftman always does it right….
Martina and Maria
In a brief moment of FOMO (fear of missing out), here is a fact that I am not sure you knew: Bal Harbour Shops, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, is the first all-luxury fashion center featuring high-end retailers in a tropical, open-air setting. In 2012, Bal Harbour Shops topped the list as the world’s most productive shopping center, based on sales per square foot, according to data compiled by the International Council of Shopping Centers. Three generations of the Whitman family, Stanley, Randi & Matthew remain steadfast in their shared vision for this fashion mecca and its continued success.
Did you know that I was actually a bi-product of the Bal Harbour Shops, as my parents met there? I’m unsure as to where I was actually conceived, but I believe it must have been there, hence how I turned out. My grandmother Berenice Steiner owned Steiner Galleries (where Fendi is currently located, so this mall is in my blood. True story.
I am not kidding….Steiner Galleries circa ’87.
As per my comment above, when Harrison & Shriftman handles an event, you know the invitees are specific and very hand picked, so a very select chosen group of Miami society gathered at Makoto to celebrate the brand new book of Hicks “Island Style.” The launch et lunch was hosted by PR Goddess Lara Shriftman and Bal Harbour Magazine’s Editor in Chief Sarah Harrelson. Based upon personal feedback and the recap plus the gorgeous photos I received, it was just perfection. Guests included former fashion model and author India Hicks, Erika Koopman, Gigi Whitman, Bal Harbor Shops Marketing Director Cheryl Stephenson (my obsession), Stephanie Sayfie with Buoniconti Foundation, Fernanda Domit, Sara Lacharlotte, renowned Dermatologist Roberta Del Campo, stylist Page Haggerty, in town from the Bahamas Dasha Valdez, CBS reporter Lisa Petrillo, Bal Harbour Shops Nest Casa owner Sara Colombo, Executive Vice President of FAENA Rose Pablo De Ritis, Martina Borgomanero Basabe, Maria Tettamanti,Kinga Lampert, Lisa Heiden and Head of Brand for SH Group Kane Sarhan.
