My Quest for Fashion

Every season I try and travel to a different market or two to check out what the "locals" are wearing, and what is trending in their neck of the woods. I also use it as an opportunity to find potential new resources for clients. I love finding well-priced local stores and jewelers that may provide my clients with items not found in our area. I may only order from them for one season, but it keeps me motived as well as interested in what is outside our area. 

For the next few weeks I will be making some quick trips to two known fashion hot spots. The first brings me to South Beach in Miami. I am here celebrating a milestone and had promised myself it would not go unnoticed. I will let you imagine what that milestone may be. I chose Miami so I could have a quick glimpse of what is trending in the fast lane of wealth and sunshine, where jet setting and spending is an hourly occurrence. I expect, and hope to see, what women and men view as everyday casual dress, dressing influences of their surrounding culture, most common colors and clothing worn, and night life dress. I expect I will be in for a few surprises as well as some really exciting aha! moments.

Stay tuned for more about my trip!

I am not a shoe snob, but I'm just saying.....

I recently was in San Juan with my family. I think I have mentioned that my somewhat adult children know Mom is gonna go searching for that hole-in-the-wall store that has something fabulous to draw me in. As you by now know, it sadly doesn't take much.

It could be a store with blender and clock, and if the window is appealing, I'ma entering.

Case and point, as my son would say. The store window on one of the main streets across from the Marriott Hotel was an easy sell for me. Best of all, my daughter was intrigued as well. The window read Paola Cavalli, and the shoes were as bright and textured as a Lego store in the mall.

My heart began to race as we entered and were greeted by the two managing partners who show Paola's designs in the only U.S. store.

Good thing I was full from dinner, because somehow it distracted me from spending my life savings. I can't explain the correlation between a full belly and my feet, but somehow when my belly is extended, my feet are, too.

Back to Paola Cavalli. I know you are thinking she is related to the Italian fashion designer Roberto Cavalli, but she is not. She is from Columbia, like the ever-so-beautiful Sofia Vergara from "Modern Family". Let me digress for one second. Is Sofia just not stunning and have you noticed her Cover Girl campaign? I am officially jealous without being jealous. She is so pretty to look at, I swoon. Hmm, should an adult, happily married woman swoon?

Again, back to Paola and her bright designs, reminiscent of Carmen Miranda, the actress who wore fruit on her head. Hard to forget that, quite frankly. Paola started her business in 2003 and sold her designs to women she met on walks with her toddler son. Soon after, the Spanish designer Agatha Ruiz de la Prada came to town, and Paola presented Agatha with a pair of shoes.

The rest is history, as they say in the business.

Paola hopes that her work is more accessible than most designers, and priced so people can afford several pairs. I have to admit I was quite stunned at the price tag between $85-150. Paola also designs for little girls and those shoes are also carried at the San Juan store. Boy, I hope she has a little girl one day....

Paola does special orders for women who prefer a shoe in a different color. That is a wonderful offering to entice customers! People love knowing that they are getting a one of a kind item. Nothing gives me more pleasure than to stumble upon a cool store and anything different than what the mainstream offers. Check out the vibrant colors and let me know what you think.

Do you think her goods would sell best in Miami or what?

From my shoe closet to yours-

Suzanne