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Before I headed to Paris earlier this month, I took a small detour and headed south to Miami for what has become one of the most important art shows in the United States.
Art BaselMiami is the sister show of Art Basel - Switzerland which has been the leading art fair worldwide for over 35 years.
The concept of having the show in Miami was really a win/win for everyone involved. It gave the hippest art crowd an excuse to go to the beach in December. Miami is not just any beach - the white sand of the southern shores of Florida are some of the finest beaches in the world.
With over 200 galleries showcasing their latest "find" or showing off their partnerships with established giants - it goes without saying- there was much to see!
The show is easy to navigate as most of the action takes place in the Miami Convention center that is steps away from Ocean Drive and super easy to get to and fro.
The city becomes a zoo and as the show has become more and more commercial - there are people walking around you would never expect to have anything to do with an art show. Like fashion week in New York and the Oscars in L.A. - Art Basel is a reason for being and many people head to Miami to be part of the action. The difference with the art show is you can buy your way in.. unlike Fashion Week or the Oscars - art shows actually have an admission price.

As the crowds are now overwhelming - it makes sense to get yourself settled in a great hotel. My personal favorite while in Miami is The Raleigh. The property is historic and the moment you start up the curved driveway - your taken to another place. There are black and white photos the re-tell the glamour days of Miami's hey day back in the 40's and 50's.
Andre Balazs is the man responsible for this dream of a hotel. He is the chic hotelier that brought you the Mercer in NY and the Chateau Marmont in L.A.
He has an amazing talent for providing the chicest hotels for the coolest crowd without any of the pretentious insanity that has become the norm these days. One of the highlights is the most beautiful pool in all of South Beach.
With all the things to do and see, between South Beach for the Art scene and the Bal Harbour shops for the fashion scene - you have to schedule time to relax!

There were parties and dinners and after parties all over town. I was really pleased to be invited to the premiere dinner of The Supper Club NY in MIami. If you haven't read about it yet, it's the latest members only social group that is bringing together the coolest NY'ers and those in the know over dinner. The NY events have been hosted in some very impressive private homes as well as those restaurants where it is hard to get a reservation this month. I was happy to be seated next to Tasmin Lonsdale, the founder of the Club and one the cutest export's London has had in a very long time! Lonsdale is witty and talkative and just exactly the right type of person to be organizing social events.

The Raleigh was a great host and set up a long table for 30 alongside the pool. The ladies from Miami at the dinner really has great personal style. One gorgeous gal was 5 months pregnant- but I couldn't even notice until she abstained from drinking champagne. She was rocking a black baby doll dress with great jewelry and black Jimmy Choo heels. Who says Pregnant women can't be sexy! Of course, she happened to be the P.R. wiz for Neiman Marcus in Coral Gables- so it should be no surprise she knew how to put a look together! I have to say the only disappointment at the dinner were the other NY'ers there! I never met such a group of desperate name droppers in my life! Bravo Miami - your in crowd know who they are.. and don't have to brag, brag, brag!

A photo team based in Los Angeles, Gaelle Morand and Chris Zwirner have been working together since 2003. They combined their mutual love of fashion photography as well as their unique talents, to create visually stunning images. Both have a long history rooted in the Film Industry, which provide them with a unique versatility.

Shannon: How did the two of you cross paths?
Morand & Zwirner: Gaelle and myself are neighbors. I think our paths crossed initially in the laundry room. We both were working in the film business, she doing CGI work as a “Look Development Artist”, me as a “Gaffer.” It led to discussions about lighting and photography. Gaelle was actively doing shoots where I, had taken a long hiatus from picture taking. I began to pitch in on some of her shoots to help with the lighting. Through that, I was inspired to pick the camera back up. We began to organize shoots together in the hope of building individual portfolios. It became clear that we complimented each other well. The deficiency of one was compensated by the other. Instead of trying to do it alone, we decided it made more sense to work as a team. Plus, we like to work together so why not?

Shannon: With backgrounds in the film industry, what inspired you to choose photography over film as your career path?
Morand & Zwirner: Creative control, the desire to nurture your own vision, and see it to completion. Both of our jobs required us to utilize our creativity, just not to its highest potential and in a very limited scope. The final “look” of the projects we were involved in was always at the discretion of others and at times, we had no control over what projects we were working on. It became a “job” and although we were both well paid at what we did, something was missing. Plus, the hours we were both keeping in the film industry began to affect our quality of life.

Shannon: Do you have a mentor or another photographer you admire? What are the qualities about this person that help you learn and grow in your craft?
Morand & Zwirner: We respect the work of many photographers. Each seems to have something particular that resonates with us. Be it Nigel Parry’s portraiture work, Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott’s or Gray Scott’s fashion spreads. I am a big fan of Gregory Crewdson, his lighting is amazing!

Shannon: What is your signature style of photography?
Morand & Zwirner: A cinematic look is what we think would best describe it. Dynamic lighting, bold use of colors, the ability to be versatile. We are drawn to many “looks” or “styles,” I believe the specifics of the shoot will dictate the style. It is up to us to be versatile and able to capitalize on it.

Shannon: Where do you look to for ideas and inspiration for a shoot?
Morand & Zwirner: The ideas seem to come from nowhere, I get some of my best ideas while I am in the shower. Why? Who knows? Otherwise we are always looking at other peoples work, or shoots from the past. Taking bits and pieces and trying to fit all the things we like together.

Shannon: What is the most important part of a successful shoot?
Morand & Zwirner: The most important part is a clear vision of what it is you are there to capture. Surrounding yourself with a talented and enthusiastic crew is very important, as well. Combine that with a positive “can do” energy, and you have a good recipe for success.

I discovered the very talented NYC Fashion Designer Boaz David several months ago. I loved his line of rocker chic style clothing and have anxiously awaited his Spring 2008 collection. Back then, Boaz mentioned to me that he would really love to design a menswear line. So it's no surprise to me to find that his Spring line is menswear-inspired. This Spring the Boaz girl definitely exudes sex appeal while not forgetting her rocker roots.

Shannon: What was the inspiration for your spring line?

Boaz: Menswear with details, such as the welt back pockets that are a classic menswear detail. Pockets and geometric patterns, such as stripes and plaids, are also very menswear related. There are actually 2 groups in the line: one that is more ‘dressy day wear’ with pants that can be paired with tank tops and flats for more of a casual look or with a sexy top or button down shirt and pumps for a dressier look. The second group is just for casual wear.

Shannon: What were the fabrics used?

Boaz: It’s all garment dye and wash, stretch cotton fabrics that are being sewn and then dyed and stone washed for 45 minutes, for a worn and soft look. The fabrics include a lot of stripes, pinstripes and seersuckers as associated with menswear.

Shannon: What is your favorite piece in the collection?

Boaz: Actually the short sleeve shirt with the tie in the same fabric is a shirt that I like, mostly because of the different ways you can wear it. It looks great and very "career woman" with the wide leg pant and high heels, or it can be a cool & fun in more of a downtown look with a black straight leg jeans style pant, as well as, easy and laid back without the tie.

Shannon: Does the small red x have a meaning?

Boaz: The red X is just an extension of the big X I had on the pockets last season and I wanted it to be more of like a branding detail to recognize and distinguish my line from the rest.

Shannon: Who is the Boaz girl this Spring?

Boaz: She is a metropolitan girl who works, lives and has fun in the city. She is looking for sophisticated, chic items that she can wear throughout the day, to work, dinner and drinks; from being a boss at work to an opening at night…

You can find Boaz online at www.boaznyc.com.

Copyright: The Fashion Rag

When you think of knitting and crocheting, does your mind immediately envision a cute little elderly woman sitting in a rocking chair, hair in a bow whipping up a sweater or blanket? Actually that is exactly what I thought when East London twins, Calliste and Carissa Yeboah, approached me about their indie fashion brand, Made With Hands. However, this is yet another one of those times when you shouldn't judge a book by its cover--nor that part about making assumptions.

Made With Hands creates simple, hand-made pieces with 100% natural fibres. There's something about their style that gives me an air of London underground and reminds me of The Clash. While their products are sold in the UK, you can get a look at their Bobble Necklace at the New York Design Center.

I actually think their Bobble Makeup Bag is pretty unique and I'd probably more want to use it as a purse than to simply leave it on my vanity collecting dust. You've got to admit, these twins really took something ordinary and made it extraordinary. Made With Hands really gives a unique spin on traditional and gave me a new way to look at "knitwear."

See for yourself at www.MadeWithHands.co.uk 

Copyright: The Fashion Rag