Fashion & Style

Is Miami Becoming the Fashion Capital of the US?

The Miami hype is something you definitely can't ignore. Still, many people believe that there’s little action when it comes to local officials and businesses attempting to brand the Magic City for the fashion industry. Some critics argue this activity is nothing more than smoke, while others believe Miami will emerge as the next fashion capital. 

Unlike Los Angeles and New York City, many entrepreneurs believe that Miami’s landscape is ideal for innovation and distinction. With the arrival of new fashion educational programs, runway events, trade shows, and the general buzz around the fashion startup community, it is entirely possible for Miami to emerge as the “fashion capital Miami,” particularly for local and Latin American designers.

Miami’s fashion landscape

Home to Art Basel Miami and Miami Design District, the city has become a hot spot for the fashion industry, especially during winter. In fall 2020, Dior staged their men's pre-fall show in Miami just two days before the official kick-off of Art Basel. With its year-round tourist traffic and growth of luxury stores, several high-end brands from Europe looking to capitalize on the US market are taking an interest in Miami.

Swayed by the thriving Latin-American and Caribbean entertainment industry, Miami’s fashion industry delivers fresh and modern designs each year. The hottest fashion event, Miami Swim Week, is held in July every year, and the city transforms into a runway showcasing the latest trends in swimwear. The Miami Fashion Week is also an important yearly event, and in 2019, it attracted more than 202 million fans in America’s top 7 markets and gained $6 million total media value! 

There’s no shortage of options for those who want to study fashion in Miami. From Miami Fashion Institute at Miami Dade College to Miami International University of Art & Design, there are various options around the city. Students can earn a degree in fashion design, fashion merchandising, accessory design, and so much more in fashion capital Miami.

The retail front

On the retail front, Miami is quickly gaining a share in the luxury market, thanks to Dacra, the company that developed the Miami Design District. The Magic City is also home to hundreds of shopping centers. From Bal Harbour Village, the ritziest shopping mall in the state, to the up-and-coming luxury fashion destination, Miami Design District, the city’s landscape is truly transforming to make spaces for businesses in the fashion industry. 

By 2015, the Miami Design District had attracted luxury fashion brands like Hermès (its sixth flagship in the world), Dior (its biggest store in the US), Louis Vuitton, Lanvin, Marc Jacobs, Cartier, and Givenchy, among many others. In 2016, the District also welcomed flagships for Isabel Marant, Yves Saint Laurent, and Tory Burch. All these luxury flagship stores indicate that Miami is considered a vital fashion market and will soon emerge as the next fashion capital of the US.

Miami is a creative design hub with tremendous academic institutions and great brands from all over the world. We’re currently witnessing fashion capital Miami at its boom, and it is just going to keep growing and elevating in the years to come. 

Calle Ocho News is your one-stop destination for everything you need to know about Miami’s fashion scene. Take a trip to Miami today with Little Havana Tours and witness the emerging fashion landscape for yourself. For your daily dose of fun, adventure, and entertainment, signup for our newsletter today. 

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