New York Fashion Week may be the biggest fashion event in the country, but when it comes to Miami's prominence in the world of fashion, there's more than meets the eye. Miami Beach International Fashion Week is the largest international and Hispanic fashion event in the U.S., brings together top emerging and established fashion designers -- and it's back for another round March 21-24.
Now in its 14th year, MBIFW is expecting major talent from some of the most sought-after designers from around the globe. "It's great to source out the wonderful new designers from around the world each year," says Beth Sobol, the head honcho behind the event.
Participating designers hold passports from every corner of the globe -- from Australia to India to Latin America to our very own backyard. One of this year's most anticipated shows is WALLA of the Kingdom of Bahrain, marking the first time MBIFW will feature a designer from that part of the world.
"There are a lot of exciting designers coming in this year", says Sobol.
Highlights of the week's lineup include the Miami Style Showcase
featuring top Florida designers like Viviana G for Petit Pois,
Ema Savahl Couture, and Kayce Armstrong of Art of Shade among others.
Models
will begin to sashay and shante down the runway on March 21 with
lingerie, swimwear, and the Opening Prelude showcases. On Thursday,
March 22, the Prêt-A-Porter Designer Showcase will kick-off the night
featuring the winner of Mission Moda in Bolivia, and conclude with the
Eveningwear Designer Showcase.
Fashion week will come to a close on
Saturday, March 24, with the annual Miami Moda & Music Awards
featuring a special guest designer and a bevy of live performances from
international recording artists.
As the fifth largest and most
important fashion event in the world, MBIFW gets bigger and better with
age. "I work on it all year, and it doesn't stop", says Sobol. "I'm
actually working on 2013 right now." With talks to include new elements
and partnerships with international organizations, we can't wait to see
what the future holds. For now, we're happy to welcome MBIFW for another
week of global fabulosity all on the same stretch of beach.
Stay tuned for more Cultist coverage of Miami Beach International Fashion Week throughout its 2012 run. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.miamifashionweek.com.
--Vanessa Martin
Follow Cultist on Facebook and Twitter @CultistMiami.
