People

BRICKELL MAGAZINE’S 2016 Best Dressed

Photography: Nick Garcia for Blindlight Studio Interviews: Jorge Arauz Fashion Editor: Jhon Jairo Santos Makeup: Ashley Pierrette @ Warren Tricomi Studio, 4041 Collins Ave., Miami Beach Hair: Amanda Maxwell @ Warren Tricomi Studio, 4041 Collins Ave., Miami Beach Photo Assistant: Ricardo Mestre Furniture: Poltrona Frau Group Miami, 59 NW 36th St., Miami Design District; 305.576.3636; PoltronaFrauMiami.net Production: Angela Bonilla for Blindlight Studio | May 17, 2018 | People

the WOMEN
Kennedee Jr. couch design by Jean-Marie Massaud for Poltrona Frau

SHELLY NORTHERN
Broker Associate
ONE Sotheby’s Int’l Realty
TheMiamiView.com

Living in 5 different countries and dabbling in everything from hotel management in Spain to nannying in Barbados and most recently helping people navigate Miami’s ever-evolving real estate market, Shelly Northern has acquired quite the fashion sense over the years. “I have a lot of different looks, depending on the location and the occasion,” she says. But, she admits, sometimes experimenting with fashion doesn’t always yield the desired look. “Recently, while traveling in a comfy black maxi skirt and a striped cropped sweater, my taxi driver said I looked nice, a lot like an elf!” Fashion faux pas or not, however, her confidence and sense of humor always shine through. “Fashion for me is about being yourself and being comfortable whilst bringing in your personality,” she says. “It’s essential to be yourself in all areas of your life, including what you wear.”

ANGELES ALMUNA WEIL
Fashion Stylist, Artist & Blogger
AngelesAlmuna.com

Once, while working backstage at New York Fashion Week for Zac Posen, Whoopi Goldberg approached Angeles Almuna Weil and gave her the best compliment ever. “She said to me: ‘You look stunning, you look like an angel, what are you wearing?’ and I laughed and told her ‘My name is Angeles and I’m wearing Delpozo.” To Angeles, fashion is all about self- expression. “It’s about conveying a specific persona through a particular look,” she says. “It’s a lot like art — expressing yourself through clothes.” So what’s her go-to accessory for this season? “Confidence is always the best accessory to conquer your dreams,” she says.

NATHALIE CADET-JAMES
President
Luxe Fête Event Planning
& Design Studio
LuxeFete.com

Graceful confidence defines Nathalie Cadet-James’ wardrobe, which includes a beautiful array of style wow’s from boutiques around town including her favorites Beach Boutique Miami and The Griffin. “Both places have a fashion-forward spirit and on-trend, yet timeless collections,” she says. “I’ve never worn anything from these places that someone hasn’t complimented me on.” She first discovered fashion watching her mom sew beautiful dresses for her and her sister when they were young. “I absolutely loved going with her to pick out McCall, Butterick and Vogue patterns,” she says. “The most important lesson she taught us was that how we carried ourselves was more important than what we were wearing.”

STEPHANIE GROSMAN
Attorney & Leadership
Academy Coordinator
Dade Legal Aid
DadeLegalAid.org

Stephanie Grosman first discovered fashion at a very young age. “I remember admiring how put-together and elegant my mother and aunt always looked and trying to emulate their style by walking around in my mom’s stilettos,” she says. Today, she shops for her signature outfits at J. Crew, Nordstrom and Intermix. “I love that they offer a variety of styles and cater to many different tastes,” she says, mentioning that her favorite brands are DVF, Stuart Weitzman, BCBG, Reiss, Gucci and Dadlani Jewels. “I’ve found that consistently dressing my best has definitely translated into success in all facets of life — when you look good, you feel good, and that sense of self-confidence translates in every realm.”

the MEN
Kennedee Jr. couch design by Jean-Marie Massaud for Poltrona Frau

CYRIL BIJAOUNI
Partner/Miami
Westside Estate Agency
WEAHomes.com

When it comes to fashion choices, Cyril Bijaoui says he tries to keep it simple and comfortable. “I first discovered fashion when I realized I needed to wear clothes to get along in civilized society,” he jokes. “I was taught to dress first by my mother, then by my sister and now by my wife.” Today, his closet is filled with Boss, Varvatos, All Saints and Zara essentials. “Frankly, fashion is not that important to me…but I do enjoy dressing as well as I can,” he says. “It’s important to be yourself, the rest is irrelevant.”

EDWIN BERRIOS
Founder & Principal Designer
Edwin Berrios Interior Design
EdwinBerrios.com

As an interior designer, Edwin Berrios is constantly exposed to new and intriguing design movements and techniques. “I wouldn’t consider that my style falls into any specific category,” he says. “I draw inspiration from the principles of design such as form, balance, scale, proportion and contrast, but always with a minimal foundation approach.” Discovering new fashion trends in unexpected places is one of his favorite pastimes. “I find myself drawn to shop while traveling,” he says. “I enjoy seeing what young designers are doing and how each country interprets what’s new.” So what’s the best fashion advice he can offer? “If you feel good and secure with what you’re wearing, it will translate into success in anything you do.”

EVAN KLUGE
CEO
Epik Financial
EpikFinancial.com

As the CEO of a hedge fund, Evan Kluge tries to consistently maintain a professional appearance in and out of the office. “I would describe my fashion style as sleek and trendy, with European influences mixed in,” he says, mentioning his go-to brands are Hugo Boss, Dolce & Gabbana and Tom Ford. As a retired professional athlete, he says his jersey meant it was game time; now, as a businessman, his suit means game time. “Fashion is my image, and my image is my business. My business is my lifestyle,” he says. “You don’t always need to spend a fortune to look good.”

TOM SOARES
Boutique Director
Yvel
Yvel.com

When GAP opened up a store near Tom Soares’ hometown back in the late ‘70s, his love affair with fashion was born. “I would describe my style as a mixture of classic and modern, taking key men’s Italian accessories pieces from Prada and Gucci, and mixing in and complementing the look with affordable and fun fashion.” Among his favorite places to shop are Saks Fifth Avenue and Macy’s for career pieces, and Zara, H&M and off-the-beaten-path men’s boutiques around town for easy, fun layering at great prices. “To know me is to know that I’m very career-driven with over 30 years in high-profile retail executive positions,” he says. “Always looking and dressing the part no matter where you go and who you’re with on any given day is your true stamp.”