FashionistaCayetanaUranga never let cerebral palsy stand in her way. Today, as the founder of Lolita's Beachwear, she's helping others feel their best on the sands.

CayetanaUranga wearing one of her designs on South Beach.

Like any other 29-year-old entrepreneur, CayetanaUranga drives to meetings and develops marketing plans to help build her clientele. But unlike most, the Peru-born founder and designer of Lolita’s Beachwear, a South Florida-based e-commerce site and bikini line, succeeds despite having cerebral palsy. Besides creating her swimwear, Uranga also raises awareness of the disease and funds to combat it.

How did your family react to your diagnosis?
When I was born, the doctors told my parents I wouldn’t be able to walk, talk, or live a normal life. But my parents were against an operation; they wanted me to make my own decisions.

What was your childhood like living with cerebral palsy?
My daily therapy began when I was 3 months old. My parents never treated me differently. I thought it was normal.

Where did your love of great swimwear come from?
We would always go to the beach, and my balance improved walking and playing in the sand. [My siblings and I] had more swimsuits than any other children we knew. We lived in them.

How did you develop the idea for Lolita’s Beachwear?
The idea began in high school. I always had a desire to build something for myself and be my own boss. When I went on vacation to Lima, I would bring back bikinis and sell them to my friends. Then, after I graduated college, I began shaping the company. I have 10 [Lolita’s brand] styles; I pick the prints and colors that are “life” colors, bright colors.

How are your suits different from what’s already available?
I see beautiful girls wearing the wrong type of suits or colors that don’t flatter their bodies—I want to help them. My sister and I created a size chart depending on body type. People should understand [and] be comfortable in their body. My challenge is to spread confidence to all women on the beach. Girls will feel so free in swimsuits that are colorful and that fit their body.

What contribution do you want to make to the CP community?
I want to do a charity event for United Cerebral Palsy of South Florida because not many people know about CP; I want to get the word out about what it is. I’m also starting to give them a portion of my proceeds.

What makes you successful?
I have a lot of courage. I used to be scared to go anywhere alone and of people staring. After I managed to drive, I realized I could do anything.

What advice would you give others with CP?
Don’t ever give up. It’s hard—when I was growing up, I never found anybody who was successful with CP that I could look up to. Today, I want to be successful; I want to be independent. Always.

Gallerist Michael Jon Radziewicz was astute enough to see Miami’s art wave and ride it, first to the Design District and now to Downtown and beyond.

Michael Jon Radziewicz at his eponymous gallery in downtown.

On the long list of places where people decide they want to become art dealers, shoe stores in Tampa sit near the bottom. But when Michael Jon Radziewicz walked into one in January 2011 and bought out its stock of Vans, that’s exactly what happened. “As I was giving [the cashier] my credit card, it was like, ‘Wait, this is it. This is the moment when I’m figuring it out.’ I had them ship all the shoes to Chicago; I sold them [in my studio].”

At the time, Radziewicz was finishing an MFA in Studio Arts at the University of Illinois at Chicago, and the project was a wink to commodity culture—buying and selling as performance. But while the footwear flip began as art, the sale part of it felt right. And like that, the artist became the dealer. But where to put the gallery?

New York and Los Angeles were the obvious choices, but the idea to come to Miami came from Radziewicz’s awareness of this city’s potential and his own grassroots individualism. “You always want to root for the underdog; you always want to do the opposite of what everyone else is doing.” So he and his wife, Jennifer Ponce, a math and science tutor, packed up their car, headed south, and opened up a little gallery on 41st Street in the Design District.

A little gallery—at 180 square feet, the floor plan was barely bigger than the pizza boxes at Harry’s across the street. He brought in art like LA-based Theodora Allen’s small, tender paintings about country musician Gram Parsons. Tight relationships with up-and-coming artists around the country allowed him to flood his gallery with top talent.

Radziewicz hanging works in his gallery. John Opera’s cyanotype on linen Blinds II (2014), in the background, was part of a recent exhibition;

Beyond the art, the gallery had two great things going for it: a location directly across from the de la Cruz Collection and a porch that swelled with artists, collectors, and friends during every opening. With a cooler full of Budweiser, the Michael Jon Gallery had the halcyon warmth of a high school party, just with better art.

A year in, the gallery moved 30 blocks south to the Downtown Art House on 11th Street and NE First Avenue, in a former fishing supply warehouse. The move was typical of a quickly changing Miami in which galleries are expanding beyond Wynwood and the Design District in search of cheap rents and dynamic audiences. “Wynwood was the site of artist production and display during the first decade,” Radziewicz says, referring to the period of Miami’s contemporary art boom. “Now it has morphed into something else, neither good nor bad. However, context is important, and we’re doing something different.”

Once the Michael Jon Gallery was up and running, the crowds followed, and new works by Carlos Reyes, Math Bass, and JPW3 went up. Radziewicz doubled down by partnering with Alan Gutierrez, a local artist and curator. The gallery was invited to show at the Untitled. art fair in 2013, and, soon thereafter, Michael Jon announced  he was opening a new space in Detroit. They also started going to fairs outside of Miami, such as Mexico City’s Material earlier this year.

Often, a brick-and-mortar gallery is nothing more than a place to photograph art that customers first see on Instagram, Facebook, or the Web, but the massive growth of the fair scene has created more foot traffic than any single gallery can garner on its own. And at the same time, fairs mean collectors.

While he has sold to some of Miami’s biggest collecting families, he’s also placed work across the world—from Switzerland to Panama, Italy to Los Angeles. Placement has always been a priority for Radziewicz—from the specific fit of his early gallery to the maintenance of a cohesive ideology and plan for commerce.

“I’m not big on selling. I’m much more interested in talking about the work, providing a context. I don’t want to sell. I want to place it,” he says. “The collectors are the custodians of the work, so I love it when they have a real connection to it.” Not bad for someone who started out placing a bunch of skateboarding shoes. 122 NE 11th St., Miami, 305-521-8520

The University of Miami’s Cristina Favretto is preserving South Florida’s almost forgotten past, one page at a time.

Cristina Favretto at the University of Miami Libraries Special Collections, which houses everything from the personal papers of Jackie Gleason to rare books on the city’s history.

“I tell people this is a museum where you can touch stuff,” laughs Cristina Favretto, pulling an ornately illustrated 18th-century tome off a bookshelf inside the University of Miami Libraries Special Collections. There, within a climate-controlled vault, is shelf after shelf of rare books, and box after box of carefully filed manuscripts and documents. “Not everybody can collect everything. If people want to look at F. Scott Fitzgerald material, they go to Princeton. If they’re looking for movie material, they go to USC. If they’re looking for material about the history of Miami, they come here.”

For Favretto, as head of UM’s Special Collections, that’s meant expanding her scope beyond the city’s usual suspects, delving off-campus to secure the personal archives from several decades’ worth of countercultural figures in both the arts and politics. Just as important—whether those materials were written by local captains of industry or by those railing against them, all of it remains accessible to accredited academics and amateur scholars alike.

Favretto looks through items from the Special Collections. “I tell people this is a museum where you can touch stuff,” she says.

Some of Favretto’s finds are of obvious historical importance; others fall into the category of bibliophilic curiosities. More than a few are downright freaky, most notably Miami actor Jackie Gleason’s personal library, donated to UM upon his passing, which was filled with hundreds of personally annotated books on the occult and UFOs. Yet Favretto treats it all with equal reverence. In fact, it’s hard to tell which she’s more enthused over—the personal papers of local writer and cultural provocateur Erick Lyle, better known by his Miami punk rock sobriquet of “Iggy Scam,” or those of former Florida US Senator Mel Martinez. “He resigned from office three days after I met with him, and he agreed to donate his papers to us. People kept asking me, ‘What did you say to him?’” Favretto quips.

Of course, amassing a sprawling print archive does raise nagging questions of relevance. Is a paper-and-ink repository necessary in light of the seemingly all-encompassing Internet? Those are fighting words to Favretto. “I’m not a Luddite, but when you look at older websites, half of their links are already dead,” Favretto counters. “Not everything is—or will be—digitized.”

Moreover, she argues, even for historical material that has been transferred into the digital realm, there’s often no comparison with encountering the original document. Case in point: an 1821 slave register from a Tobago plantation that Favretto currently has on display, and which never fails to elicit a stunned response from visiting students. Digitized narratives from that era may convey the everyday horror of the slave trade, but picking up and holding the actual handwritten ledger used to track the purchase of human beings—and record their burial once they became too ill or physically exhausted to continue laboring—is a uniquely visceral experience.

In the archives, leafing through a 1980 issue of UK magazine The Face, featuring a story on punk musician Poly Styrene. Favretto herself performed in Boston’s avant-garde music scene in the ’80s.

It’s hardly a stretch to say Favretto was destined for her present job. As a young girl in upstate New York, she recalls how each of her family’s five children “got a portion of the basement kitted out for them. One of my sisters had a sewing area; another sister had a chemistry lab. I asked for a little library, and I loaned books to my dolls and made library cards for all my siblings.” When her family relocated to their native Italy in the 1970s, Favretto says she practically lived out of Trieste’s famed bookstores, an affinity that continued when she returned to the United States for college in the 1980s. Eventually landing in Boston, she divided her time between performing in that city’s avant-garde music scene and working in libraries. Positions running archives at Duke University, San Diego State University, and UCLA followed; Favretto has been at UM since 2008.

Her arrival at the relatively deep-pocketed UM has been particularly heartening for those watching Miami-Dade’s public library system—and the archives it houses—lurch from one fiscal crisis to the next, barely able to keep the lights on. “You don’t have to convince people of the importance of the ballet or the opera,” Favretto sighs. “But you do have to convince them of the importance of the written word. And it’s getting harder every day. It seems like there’s always money for new sports stadiums, but not for libraries.”

On that note, Favretto hopes she can help pick up some of the intellectual slack: “We really want to open up to the community, just like the Pérez Art Museum of Miami and History Miami,” she says. “A good special collection should be front and center in a library as a laboratory of exploration. If you go to the art museum, no one’s going to let you look through a sheaf of Degas drawings. But you can come here and look through our oldest, most fragile books. We’re just going to ask you to have clean hands.” University of Miami Libraries Special Collections, 1300 Memorial Dr., Coral Gables, 305-284-3247

As tickets go on sale for the coveted Make-a-Wish ball, Miami royalty Shareef Malnik reveals his passion for granting wishes for terminally ill children.

Joey with (FROM LEFT) his dad, Joseph Giordano; sister, Libby; and mom, also named Libby, posing with Gabrielle Anwar; Anwar’s daughter, Paisley Verea, and Malnik.

The owner of legendary Miami Beach steakhouse The Forge, Shareef Malnik, 56, has been prominently chairing the ball to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Florida for more than a decade. In that time, Malnik has helped raise the gala’s profits from $300,000 to $2 million; he recently earned recognition from the Make-A-Wish national chapter for his unique and effective fundraising. But finances aside, Malnik also dedicates his time and energy to some of the terminally ill children Make-A-Wish serves. Here, in his own words, Malnik opens up about everything from creating the Chairman’s Challenge to some of the wishes granted that are particularly meaningful to him.

“Make-A-Wish—which grants even the most far-reaching requests of terminally ill children—isn’t just my passion but rather part of my DNA. This year is my 10th year as chairman of our annual fundraising ball, but I’ve attended 18 out of the past 19 events. My dad, Al Malnik, is a lifetime benefactor. He introduced me not only to the Make-A-Wish Foundation but also to the concept of philanthropy. He instilled these values in me at a young age, and my dad’s been a great role model in this regard.

Shareef Malnik and Joey Giordano Jr., 8, who had his wish to go on a Disney cruise granted by the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

About two years ago, I was asked to join the board of directors, and that’s given me the opportunity to contribute to other aspects of the foundation. For starters, I’ve been spending time with some of these kids. Take Joey Giordano Jr., who is 8 years old; his wish was to go on a Disney Cruise. It’s so easy to fall in love with these children—just look at him.

On another occasion, our president, Norman Wedderburn, called and asked me to represent Make-A-Wish and escort a child through a journey of having a wish fulfilled. She was flying into Miami to meet Adam Lambert. He would be performing at the Fontainebleau and they’d have lunch at Hakkasan. Adam’s enthusiasm for meeting this child was unmistakable. He didn’t just give her time and attention, but he was completely present for their conversation. He shared stories with her, and she told him that the only way she got through her time in the hospital— and the pain that accompanied those days—was his image on her pillow. I could see the tears well up in Adam’s eyes.

Related: More opportunities to give back this summer>>

My involvement in the Make-A-Wish organization began as a passing comment I made over a casual lunch one day in Delray Beach, where my dad and I were dining with the late Nancy Strom, a founder of the group’s South Florida chapter. As a restaurateur, I can see a business turn before it actually happens; I have an innate sense. And while I knew the ball’s guests were generous, I noticed their kids and their grandkids weren’t coming. I felt that unless the local chapter of Make-A-Wish changed the geometry of the party—replacing the old-school orchestra, for example—challenging times would lie ahead. To stay relevant, things must change. I became the chair and decided immediately that this party has to be an unforgettable experience. Think taiko drummers on three levels, ladies pouring Champagne from the ceiling, fantasy forests.

Tyler Gutzmar’s wish to become a Miami Heat broadcaster was fulfilled by Make-A-Wish as he sat courtside with Tony Fiorentino and Eric Reid.

When working to raise dollars, we can’t follow stereotypes or worry about saving money at every turn. It doesn’t matter how much you spend; it matters how many wishes you grant. Our results have validated that theory. Those funds help more kids than ever.

Another thing that’s fueling this organization’s success is my idea of having the entire cost of the ball underwritten. That means 100 percent of funds we take in go toward wishes. I call it the Chairman’s Challenge, and my job was to get a group of 20 leaders in the community to contribute $25,000 each for five years. I wanted to put together an influential circle of people who had a commonality. These men and women are silent warriors, and they’re pillars, holding this ball up.

One couple, Todd and Kim Glaser, got involved without my even asking. They were sitting at my bar, and I was telling them about this endeavor. Kim whispered in Todd’s ear, and he looked up at me and said, ‘Yes, we’ll do it.’ All of these families inspire us at Make-A-Wish. We invite them to speak at meetings and events, and they remind us why we’re doing this. We get wrapped up in trying to succeed in fundraising, we worry about the metrics, but we can’t ever forget why it all matters.”

Fortune International’s EdgardoDefortuna landed in Miami by chance, but has since made a purposeful impact on the city’s skyline.

Developer EdgardoDefortuna created a new class of buyers in Miami when he educated Latin American clients about the advantages of investing in our city (here at the Jade Signature sales center, owned by his Fortune International).

On a Saturday afternoon last spring, EdgardoDefortuna put his three sons—Andres, 10; Alexander, 8; and Edgardo (known as Edgardito), 7—into the car and drove them on a tour of the sales centers for the buildings owned by his company, Fortune International. The climax of the trip was the site of the luxe-intensive Jade Signature condominium complex on Sunny Isles Beach. But here, the kids were perplexed, and Defortuna found himself bombarded with questions. Why, they asked, after five months of construction, could they only see a scale model of the 57-story parallelogram tower? Why didn’t they see a building yet?

Finally this summer, work on the foundation and underground parking levels of Jade Signature will be complete, and Defortuna’s sons will at last be able to watch as the building itself begins to rise from the oceanfront lot. In its first three weeks last summer, sales totaled $300 million, and by spring 2014, all of the yet-to-be-built tower’s one-bedroom units and most of the two-bedroom condos had already sold, at an average price of $1,400 per square foot. Overall, half of the units had found buyers at pre-construction prices ranging from $2 million to more than $26 million. “Everyone is in love with Miami right now, and they all want to own a bit of it,” says Defortuna.

Fortune International’s Andrea Greenberg and EdgardoDefortuna with David Beckham at a VIP reception hosted by Beckham at the Adrienne Arsht Center to announce that he will bring Major League Soccer to Miami.

Defortuna himself knows a lot about what it’s like to fall for Miami, although he never intended to do any such thing when he first set foot in the city in the late 1970s. Born in Argentina, he had never had any intention of leaving the country until his sister, having just completed medical school, wanted to do an internship in Miami. “My father, being rather traditional, wouldn’t let her go alone, and convinced me to go with her for three months,” Defortuna recalls. “I told her, ‘After this, you are on your own!’ But he is still waiting for me to come back.” (In fact, Defortuna’s father and the rest of his family ended up joining him in Miami and investing in many of his real estate ventures.)

The same factors that attract Defortuna’s real estate clientele today worked their allure on him decades ago. “The ease of life here was incredible: the weather, the beaches, the safety—you could drive the car you wanted and not worry about having to have security or face being kidnapped,” he says. “I told my dad I would rather live here with $2,000 a month than in Argentina with many times that much. Eventually they listened.”

Defortuna and his wife, Ana Cristina, with their sons, Alexander, Andres, and Edgardo.

Completing his MBA at the University of Miami, Defortuna realized that foreign real estate buyers (like himself and his family) weren’t getting the kind of service and attention that they felt they needed. “Or perhaps they would get the attention from a US broker who realized that there was money there, but not the confidentiality or the attention to detail” or even the understanding of the dynamics, he explains. Soon after finishing his degree, Defortuna launched Fortune’s real estate sales brokerage and sales division. And he didn’t just confine himself to Miami, waiting for clients to come to him. He hopped on planes and set out for Buenos Aires, Rio, Santiago, and other major Latin American cities, to educate them about how easy it was to buy and own real estate in the United States in general, and Miami in particular. He walked them through the same kind of epiphany he had experienced, creating in the process an entirely new class of buyers. “It wasn’t on as great a scale as we see today, but this was a big wave of buying from Latin America, from sophisticated investors who like to own bricks and mortar,” says Defortuna.

Today, Fortune International’s general real estate business has 12 offices and 1,000 agents, and generates sales of about $1 billion annually, while the division devoted to sales of development properties (those of Fortune’s buildings and other construction projects) generates another $1.5 billion. The third part of the business is the development company, and that’s where long-term, high-end luxury construction projects like Jade Signature belong. Returns on these ventures can’t be calculated on an annual basis: Fortune may only undertake one or two projects at a time, and each may take three to four years from beginning to end.

Designed by Herzog & de Meuron, Jade Signature will rise 57 stories above Sunny Isles Beach.

With Jade Signature’s landmark tower, designed by Swiss firm Herzog & de Meuron, about to join the Miami skyline, Defortuna is already scouring the landscape in search of his next project. “It’s harder and more expensive to get iconic sites,” he says. The problem isn’t that the prices are too high—even though the cost of waterfront real estate has skyrocketed, the price of residential real estate is more than keeping pace, and the cost of the land, he says, is never more than 10 percent of the total project for such a luxury development. “If you have to pay heavily to get the right piece of property, that’s not so bad; it’s more a question of how to get the next site,” Defortuna says. “You have to be more creative, perhaps buying individual units in an existing condominium, terminating it, and knocking it down. It’s a lot of time and energy, but if you want a site on Miami Beach, that’s what is involved.”

In the immediate future, Defortuna has more plans for Sunny Isles Beach, where, along with the Château Group, Fortune has acquired 250 feet of oceanfront property for development, and is developing a project in Brickell. Longer term, however, he sees Miami’s development stretching northward, to Hollywood Beach and, ultimately, as far as Fort Lauderdale, where he’s working on a project with The Related Group, whose CEO, Jorge Pérez, is a personal friend as well as a fellow Latin America-born Miami real estate developer. Says Defortuna, “We’ll never be without something new to look forward to; that’s the heart of what makes this city so exciting.” 1300 Brickell Ave., Miami, 305-351-1003

CBS4’s newest face, Irika Sargent, plans to hang tight in her new city.

Irika Sargent on Ocean Drive.

Over the past 10 years, CBS4 weekday evening coanchor Irika Sargent had traveled to Miami probably half a dozen times. She, like most people, ran to the beach, hit the hot spot restaurants, and enjoyed the kinds of entertainment that tourists from all over the world come to South Florida to savor. But over that time, Sargent witnessed an evolution in this city—growth that ultimately turned this vacation town into a place to settle down. That led her to try it out for herself.

“In this business, as you’re working your way up, there’s a lot of moving around, but I was looking for a place where I might be able to spend more time and really put down roots,” Sargent says. “Ten years ago, I wouldn’t have thought that this was the place where people move to—maybe you retire or vacation here—but I think that has evolved.”

Like the city, Sargent did some growing to get here. She graduated with a journalism degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia, earned a law degree from Cornell Law School, and practiced law in New York City before returning to journalism—a career that took her everywhere from Mobile, Alabama, to Houston, Texas. “It was always my plan to practice law for several years and then go back to journalism,” says Sargent, who won an Emmy in Houston before moving to CBS4, where she now anchors the evening and late newscasts, at 5 and 11 pm.

Since she arrived, Sargent, 33, has been working to achieve personal success that extends beyond the newsroom. “It is a tough business sometimes,” she says. “When I moved to Houston, I was very much focused on the work. I didn’t want to have any regrets, so I made sure I gave it my all, and in some ways the social life did suffer. One of the big commitments I have given myself [in Miami] is finding that work-life balance and making that a priority.”

Sargent’s first step toward cultivating that equilibrium was to find a place to live. She immediately fell in love with Brickell for its fast-paced urban lifestyle and amazing sights. “Seeing that view of Biscayne Bay for the first time captured me,” she says. “I like that mix of the serene views of the bay and the energy when you turn inward.”

After having seen much of the country and interacting with its diverse populations, Sargent is set on learning more about what makes Miami’s people tick as she adapts to her new hometown. “It’s a great news town, so being able to share stories and work with the team here was an opportunity I couldn’t resist,” she says. “My hope is that I can experience the diversity of the city but also know that we share the common thread of being all South Floridians together. I want to be a part of this city and get to know viewers in the same way I hope they get to know me.”

It’s a family affair at Artefacto, as the Miami furniture store sets up the third generation to create luxury living spaces.

Three generations of the Bacchi family: Paulo (SECOND FROM LEFT) with his father, Albino (FAR RIGHT), and sons Bruno and Pietro, who are now learning the family trade.

At Artefacto—the Brazilian furniture company with storefronts in Doral, Coral Gables, and Aventura—a customer can look around at the sleek but earthy furnishings and decorate the perfect home. But for CEO Paulo Bacchi, finding the right home had to come first.

The journey began in the countryside of São Paolo, where Paulo’s father, Albino Bacchi, left his family—a school teacher mother and bank manager father—for the bright lights of big-city life at age 13. With a sharp business mind and a robust sense of determination, he launched his first enterprise, selling fresh cheese to local markets. After five successful years, Bacchi’s main customer went broke and settled his debt by giving him carpentry machinery.

“He took the machinery, partnered with a very experienced carpenter, and started his first furniture company when he was 18 years old,” says Paulo, his proud son. “He started manufacturing furniture for local restaurants and then big companies, and eventually he decided to open a retail store. That’s how Artefacto came to be.”

The company as it is known today was officially founded in 1976, when Paulo was just 8 years old. After school and on the weekends, he would go with his father to the factory to learn the family business. When he was old enough, he started working—doing logistics at the factory by day while taking college courses at night. By 2002, they had 14 stores in Brazil, and like his father, Paulo had dreams of broadening his horizons.

ON HIS OWN

The company’s Spider chair.

“I decided it was time to expand, and I wanted to move to a country safer than Brazil,” says Paulo. “The desire to expand into a more stable market and the need to find a better place to raise my children made Miami my first option. It was a growing city. I saw a future.”

Just as Albino’s parents had been forced to let their son follow his ambitions and leave home, when it came time for expansion, there was no keeping the next generation from exploring new pastures. “Our initial plan was to establish our company in the US with professional local leaders. However, Paulo decided to move to Miami and start the business himself,” says Albino. “He was able to prove his capacity and talent to himself, to me, and to the other directors of our company. Paulo put into action everything he learned in school and in practice while working in Brazil.”

They opened the first Stateside store in Merrick Park in 2002, and for two straight years, Paulo worked day and night, because as he says, “all the bad things happen to new businesses when you’re not looking.” He got to know the customers, became part of the community, and introduced the country to Artefacto’s vast inventory of stylish, eco-friendly furniture. As the company expanded with new stores in both Brazil and in Miami, Paulo moved at a responsible pace. “We can only grow with stability,” he says. “That’s how I was taught. We have to grow with our own capital. That’s the Brazilian way.” In addition to its stores in Coral Gables, Aventura, and Doral, there are Artefacto-designed model residences in buildings such as Ocean House South Beach, Marquis Residences, Icon Brickell, Trump Towers, Capri South Beach, Paramount Bay, Bellini Williams Island, and Brickell Heights.

THE NEXT GENERATION

Artefacto’s founder, Albino Bacchi.

Also growing over the course of the past dozen years were Paulo’s twin sons—Pietro and Bruno—who turn 18 this year and are preparing to take the reins of the family business after completing their education. “Bruno and Pietro are identical boys, but they’re completely different in a professional way,” says Paulo. “Pietro is my salesman. Bruno is more focused on the process and the financial part. So basically I have a perfect team to run the company in a few years. I have one running marketing and product and the other taking care of logistics, administration, and financials, so all the experience has come from grandfather to father to sons in a nice way.”

The knowledge they’ve received from their father and grandfather, who retired from the business in 2013, is priceless. “The most valuable lesson my dad has taught me about the business is that the only thing a person has is his word,” says Pietro. “Always keep an open mind and good energy when speaking with anyone,” Bruno responds.

You can hear both their grandfather and father in their voices, and as they plan for the future, you can expect them, like the generations before, to chase the bright lights. “My goals consist of graduating with a degree in business along with helping Artefacto expand to areas that are currently not in our range,” Bruno says. His brother adds, “I want to expand the business to the West Coast, where I believe there are a great amount of opportunities.”

No matter where the brothers settle, the Bacchi charm lives on. “The good part is the boys really love the product, they love style, they love design, they love the people,” says Paulo. “Our clientele has a rich culture and success in whatever they are doing, and it’s a pleasure for all of us to work in this environment. I hope there will be a fourth generation.” 4440 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Ste. 1600, Coral Gables, 305-774-0004

The booming Miami market continues to soar with high-end penthouses and exclusive luxury living arrangements.

ZahaHadid’s One Thousand Museum is the architect’s first skyscraper in the Western Hemisphere.

A penthouse occupying the entire eastern frontage of the top two floors of the Grand Venetian on Belle Isle has hit the market for $10.7 million. The 4,750-square-foot, three-bedroom, 3.5-bath apartment comes with exposures to the north, east, and south. Views stretch from the port to North Beach, with a long ribbon of ocean on the horizon. Following a $2 million renovation, stone is a recurring theme of the interior décor. The floating staircase is made of white Thassos marble, while in the powder room, a 400-pound limestone pedestal sink sits in front of a backlit quartz wall. Eddy Martinez, Worldwide Properties, 225 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, 305-531-3100

DIAMOND IN THE SKY

A three-bedroom end unit on the 23rd floor of the St. Regis BalHarbour, just above the roofline of neighboring oceanfront towers, was reduced to $8.9 million, more than $1 million less than its original price. The unit’s height affords it views unencumbered by the tower next door, with minimalist interiors and recessed lighting (including a large fixture in the master bedroom) that doesn’t distract from the panorama in three directions. Nancy Batchelor, Esslinger-Wooten-Maxwell, 419 Arthur Godfrey Road, Miami Beach, 305-329-7718

SEEING CRIMSON

The Crimson will offer spectacular views of Biscayne Bay.

The Crimson—which was named by its developers after the newspaper at their alma mater, The Harvard Crimson—has two penthouses remaining for sale, Penthouse 2 and Penthouse 4. PH 2 will have a large southwest corner balcony and two bedrooms. Meanwhile, PH 4 will come with three bedrooms and a view south, toward the downtown skyline. Both come with interior access to private roof decks with hot tubs and are priced at over $1 million. The building just broke ground, but there’s no telling whether these two luxury residences will stay on the market long enough for an open house. Vizcayne-South Tower, 253 NE Second St., No. 3503, Miami, 305-377-3337

BEAUTIFUL BONES

The interior of One Thousand Museum.

Pritzker Prize–winning architect ZahaHadid’s first skyscraper in the Western Hemisphere is well on its way. The ultra luxurious One Thousand Museum at 1000 Biscayne Boulevard will fill the gap in the row of condo towers known as the Biscayne Wall that’s currently occupied by the BP station on 10th Street. Unlike a traditional skyscraper, the tower will be engineered with an exoskeleton made of massive, biomorphic concrete pilasters that support a thin, folded crystalline façade behind. Adjusting for the sinuous exterior framework, almost every unit’s interior will vary slightly. Prices start at $4.9 million. 1040 Biscayne Blvd., 5th Fl., Miami, 855-663-6873

While her Latin roots serve as inspiration for her sultry swimwear designs, LuliFama designer Lourdes “Luli”Hanimian loves authentic Italian fare for lunch.

LuliHanimian in front of Strada in the Grove, in a LuliFama romper.

Lourdes “Luli”Hanimian glides down the street like a runway model, effortlessly navigating the uneven pavement in five-inch heels. As the eponymous inspiration behind Miami-based swimwear brand LuliFama, which she co-designs with her brother-in-law, AugustoHanimian, Luli has had practice doing the model walk, having stridden arm-in-arm with her closing look each season for the past four years at IMG’s Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim.

Known for signature prints and über-skimpy bottoms, the va-va-voomLuliFama line has graced many a celebrity beach body, including model Hannah Davis, the brand’s current face, and is regularly featured on the pages of Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Issue on the likes of Chanel Iman, Nina Agdal, Lily Aldridge, and ChrissyTeigen. With her fifth IMG show approaching this month, we sat down with Hanimian over fresh, bikini-friendly Italian food at Strada in the Grove to discuss 2015 trends, her definition of sexy, and her trick for making the perfect paella.

You and Strada in the Grove owner MaurizioFarinelli share a long history. How did you two meet?
My husband, Greg, and I used to go to Trattoria Sole all the time, for 13, 15 years; Maurizio was one of the owners for years. Our family had a lot of birthdays there, communions…. a lot of work events, too. We have a huge family, so there’s a birthday every month.

Did you follow Maurizio here?
Greg and I just ran into it. We didn’t know it was him. We were looking at a house in the area, and we were walking around and my husband said, “Let’s try it.” We’ve been coming now for a few months. I bring my sales reps. Everybody loves it. I always have my dog with me, so I usually sit outside.

What are some dishes you like to order at Italian restaurants?
Burrata is one of my favorites. I usually like a little side of pasta. They have one here that is by far the best, the pappardelletartufo with porcini—out of this world, insanely good. And I love fish. I always know they have a fish special. [Today] it’s a Mediterranean branzino.

The Mediterranean branzino is one of Strada’s daily fish specials.

That goes well with white wine.
I like wines a lot; my husband is Argentinean, so we drink a lot of Malbecs, a lot of reds, but I’m a big fan of buttery Chardonnay. Strada’s food is very authentic. When you go to Italy, everything is so simple and yet so good, not processed and not too many sauces and seasonings. I love that.

Does food play a big role in your family, given your Cuban background?
Absolutely. I cook and my husband cooks, too. We have a good mix in the kitchen. I make a really good paella. I put in a little bit of everything. It’s funny, we just came back from Exuma [Bahamas], and we were on a four-cabin yacht and I did the food shopping for the chef. The last night, I said, “Whatever you have left over, you put in the paella.” So we had chicken and chorizo and, of course, fish, lobster, shrimp, and scallops—everything. It was really good.

Hanimian likes a buttery Chardonnay.

Do you travel often?
I pretty much live on a plane. I travel all over for selling, and we do the Paris show. For store events, it’s Vegas, California, and I just came back from Puerto Rico. But when I’m designing, we go to Como and Barcelona. I love going to Europe, but I always come back to Miami.

You’re hands-on in the kitchen. Is it the same with your business?
It would be impossible for me to not be involved. When we do a fashion show, I will even choose my models. I’m just proud of the girls who walk my shows, and I’m really good to them. I believe you need to respect them and treat everybody well. Within the industry… sometimes that’s not how it is, so I spoil them. It’s genuine. And when they walk my shows, there’s so much good energy.

What does it take to be successful in such a competitive marketplace?
Take risks and stay different. I think competition is great. Even when they copy me, it’s great because [it forces you] to do something new.

A dessert of mini cannoli.

You’re known for really sexy bikinis. What does sexy mean to you?
Confidence. A woman has to feel comfortable in what she’s wearing.

LuliFama branched out into eyewear this year. Why?
We’re asked all the time to expand to a different customer, and we don’t want to. We want to cater to what our girl wants and stay in our niche. When you want to sell to everybody, that’s when you’re done.

What can we expect from you for 2015?
It’s a surprise, but I can tell you it’s focused on Miami. One print is all about palm trees and flamingos. It’s connecting with nature again. I think that’s something important right now.

Where Miami’s South American residents dine for a real taste of home.

It’s no coincidence that South American restaurants are now widespread in Miami. Nearly half of all South America–born immigrants live in one of two US metropolitan cities: New York or Miami. Hundreds of thousands of transplants—mostly from Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Peru—account for more than 20 percent of the overall immigrant population in the Latin-centric melting pot that is Miami. Here, we look to find out where they eat when they crave a taste of home.

EvelinyBastos-Klein, President, EVK Public Relations

Home country: Brazil
Favorite Brazilian restaurant in Miami:Boteco

PR pro EvelinyBastos-Klein can’t resist the Brazilian food at Boteco.

At Boteco, a small and always-packed restaurant and bar, Bastos-Klein travels back in time to her childhood on the breathtaking sands of São Paulo. “As a country of immigrants, Brazil has a varied cuisine that incorporates elements of many cultures and the abundant local flavors, which I love the most,” says Bastos-Klein, who visits Boteco (Portuguese for “hole in the wall”) on Friday nights for savory dishes, live music, dancing, and caipirinha de frutas (refreshing cocktails made with Lebloncachaca and mixed fruit). The camaraoalhoe oleo (sautéed shrimp with olive oil, garlic, and fresh parsley) is identical to what’s served at her beloved Brazilian beach shacks, and she says she can’t resist the picanha (top sirloin cap steak) sprinkled with farofa (a crispy condiment made from toasted cassava flour). Boteco, 916 NE 79th St., Miami, 305-757-7735

Nick Garcia, Commercial Photographer

Home country: Colombia
Favorite Colombian restaurants in Miami:Narcobollo and La Estacion Cafe

Nick Garcia favors Colombian food like Narcobollo’smojarra with coconut rice and patacones.

Garcia has lived in Miami for 20 years, but he says a love of Colombian food still runs through his veins. Lucky for him, there are two restaurants in town specializing in his favorites: La Estacion Cafe in Brickell and Narcobollo in Doral. Colombian food, he explains, can be very diverse, as the country’s cuisine is divided by geographical regions. In Baranquilla, his home on the northern coast, the food is dubbed “costena,” and classic street food reigns, including arepas de huevo (fried corn cakes with soft-cooked eggs), caribanolas (yucca empanadas stuffed with cheese), quibes—sometimes called kibbe—(torpedo-shaped fried bulgur stuffed with minced meat), and chicharrones (deep-fried, bone-in pork belly). For a memorable main dish, Garcia reaches for mojarra (fish such as tilapia) with coconut rice and patacones (tostones, or fried plantain slices). “These restaurants are very relaxed and laid-back,” says Garcia. “You don’t need to dress up or make reservations; it feels almost like visiting family.” Narcobollo, 2557 NW 79th Ave., Doral, 305-597-7722; La Estacion Cafe, 1390 Brickell Ave., Ste. 100, Miami, 305-539-7465

AgustinaWoodgate, Visual Artist

Home country: Argentina
Favorite Argentinean restaurant in Miami:Lo de Lea Argentinean Grill

AgustinaWoodgate, a visual artist, enjoys Sunday dinner at the cozy, homelike Lo de Lea Argentinean Grill.

On Sundays, this rising star in the art world calls her brother and makes plans for dinner at Lo de Lea, a charming house-like structure in Miami’s Upper East Side neighborhood. A vegetarian, Woodgate begins with provoleta, a thick piece of grilled provolone cheese served very hot. Then, in lieu of a classic hunk of meat, Lo de Lea’s hearty vegetarian platter comes out of the kitchen with grilled eggplant, squash, zucchini, tomatoes, and, of course, a side of traditional chimichurri (finely chopped parsley, minced garlic, olive oil, oregano, and white or red wine vinegar) for dipping. Woodgate adds a glass of Malbec for a perfect accompaniment. Lo de Lea Argentinian Grill, 7001 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, 305-456-3218

Daniela Ramirez, Fashion Blogger and Stylist

Home country: Venezuela
Favorite Venezuelan restaurants in Miami: La Latina and Doggi’s

Blogger and stylist Daniela Ramirez gravitates to La Latina when she craves food from her home country, Venezuela.

Venezuelan Cuisine The Caracas-born fashion blogger didn’t realize how much she loved Venezuelan food until she moved to Miami nearly a decade ago. “Every dish on a Venezuelan menu is completely different from the next, but all have special flavors that remind me of home,” says Ramirez. When nostalgia arises, she leans on her two favorites in Miami: La Latina in Midtown and Doggi’s Venezuelan Cuisine south of Brickell. You can find her in the mornings at La Latina, an arepera, where she’s prompted by memories of her family’s big Sunday brunches, brimming with round flatbreads typically filled with cheese, ham, chicken, or beef. At Doggi’s, Ramirez orders the sweet and savory arepa de pabellon (shredded beef, fried plantains, white rice, and organic queso), combining her cherished arepas with the national dish, pabellon. La Latina, 3509 NE Second Ave., Miami, 305-571-9655; Doggi’s Venezuelan Cuisine, 1246 SW Coral Way, Miami, 305-854-6869

Just as the art inside the Pérez Art Museum Miami is unique and unexpected, its gift shop’s wares are one-of-a-kind gems.

Whimsical wares fill the shelves of PAMM’s museum store.

It’s not unusual to visit the Pérez Art Museum Miami and wish you could take the works of art from Ai Weiwei or Monika Sosnowska home. While that’s not an option—unless you’ve made your peace with ending up on several international “Most Wanted” lists—you can leave with armfuls of thoughtfully curated, always clever, and often tongue-in-cheek tokens from PAMM Shop, the thoroughly modern museum store located just to the right of the museum’s entrance.

At 1,800 square feet, the space is open and airy, filled with natural light from the floor-to-ceiling windows that offer a panoramic view of the museum’s dramatic hanging gardens and the Port of Miami beyond. However, your gaze will also be drawn inward—to sleek white tables topped with a treasure trove of eye candy that runs the gamut from esoteric art theory books to quirky, poseableCubebots from David Weeks and 3-D mirrors by Adam Frank that lend the lucid illusion of clouds.

Retail Director Michael Balbone curates the thought-provoking keepsakes.

Michael Balbone, director of retail operations, first scoured museum shops in Paris, Amsterdam, Los Angeles, and New York to develop a feel for the types of mementos typically offered in these stores. Then he turned the expected on its head: At PAMM he’s fine-tuned the art of curating keepsakes that defy literal interpretation. “The shop is an extension of our museum experience,” he says. “So we carry products that bend the perception of reality, that value process over form, that have wit and make you think just as much as the art on the walls.”

Eschewing the conventions of Euro-centric design stores, Balbone groups items by broad theme rather than by use. Toward the front of the shop, a table filled with flamingo-topped chopsticks and tomes on Miami graffiti art underscores the kitschy-cool nature of Florida souvenirs. The nearby America table offers a witty interpretation of all things USA—$100 bills made of seed paper that grow into plants, palm-size Egyptian pyramid pencil sharpeners lifted straight from the Eye of Providence imagery on the American dollar, tobacco scented soy candles, and an American flag spatula.

While certain items wink at the irreverence of art commercialism—“Would Leonardo really appreciate his Mona Lisa masterpiece on this set of CMYK coasters?” Balbone asks—others pay homage to the city’s thriving community of designers. Much of the jewelry is designed by local artists, including Tara Sokolow-Benmeleh’sEspiritútara line with its exotic evil eyes and tassels, and Aria Nero pieces that transform fashion jewelry of the past into contemporary wearable art. There’s also a bevy of greeting cards sure to wow anyone on the receiving end. “A majority of our cards are printed on sustainable paper with sustainable inks,” says Balbone. “We work with one company in particular, Good Paper, which produces cards made by hand by underserved communities in the Philippines and Rwanda.”

Hand-dyed Vietnamese shawls stand out against the selection of esoteric art books.

Most of the items “fit the mission,” as Balbone says, being both eco-friendly and socially conscious. Neon baskets, chairs, and trophy heads—all favorites of local interior designers looking to outfit their clients’ condos with one-of-a-kind pieces—are sculpted out of sustainable iron wire by LA-based studio Bend. Hand-dyed Marquetbinhminh shawls in a vibrant spectrum of jewel tones are all fair trade. Plastic is hard to come by, even at the toy table, where bent-wood rainbows share space with kaleidoscopic puzzles by German toy company Grimm’s. For the record, the playthings would look just as welcome on a coffee table as in a playroom; you can even build your own miniature human skull out of wafer-thin strips of balsa wood from a company called Cardboard Safari.

For now, no online hub for the store exists, so you’ll have to venture to Museum Park to take home your own unique piece of PAMM. Choose carefully, though—your souvenir will become just as much of a conversation starter as it is a keepsake. “These aren’t pieces you’ll find anywhere else,” Balbone says. “And while they may not go together in the overall ‘story’ [of the exhibits], they triumph as art and a way of life very well.” 1103 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, 786-345-5694

Chasing wellness or recovering from last night’s fun gets an IV boost from Dr. Jesse Sandhu’sVitaSquad.

VitaSquad’s Dr. Jesse Sandhu helps pump up weary Miamians with vitamin infusions.

The new Miami is not unlike the old Miami—we still love to party, spend days in the sun, and care about our bodies. But in this new incarnation, we don’t have the time to recover from our own high-demand lifestyles. Thankfully, there’s VitaSquad, a mobile service that uses intravenous nutritional therapy to deliver vitamins directly into the bloodstream. “We get vitamins from a compounding pharmacy, and then we combine them with saline bags used in hospitals,” says VitaSquad’s medical director, Dr. Jesse Sandhu. “Vitamins such as B-12 (which increases metabolism) and vitamin C are injected and bypass your digestive tract, so those vitamins are immediately and 100 percent available for use.”

A graduate of the University of Michigan and Wayne State University/Detroit Medical Center & Sinai-Grace Hospital, Dr. Sandhu spent the last decade practicing medicine in various ERs around Miami before landing at Baptist Hospital. “IV therapy isn’t something new, but the accessibility is,” he says. “During my residency, [doctors] would be able to take an IV if you drank a little too much the night before. That’s how I found out about the benefits [and saw] firsthand what it can do.”

Only about 50 percent of users are looking to recover from last night’s debacle. “We actually promote the other side of IV therapy: wellness,” says Dr. Sandhu. For example, VitaSquad’s Liquid Immunity has the vitamin C equivalent of 10 cups of orange juice.

While you can walk in and get hooked up in VitaSquad’s tranquil IV room at Pure Pharmacy in South Beach, the advantage is that the service can also come to you. Their mobile crew can deliver bags of VitaHydrate (curing the worst of hangovers) or VitaLuv (“enhance your night with that special someone”) to your office, home, or beach chair. Those entertaining a larger group or stumbling out of a club should keep an eye out for the VitaSquad RV, which handles more volume, as it did during Miami’s Ultra Music Festival. “We did over 500 IVs in about 10 days,” Dr. Sandhu says.

And while athletes from the NBA and NFL are also using VitaSquad, it can give “regular Joes” an edge in the gym, too. “I tell my patients to go to the gym and time yourself running your best mile, and then a couple of days later, take an IV and run the same mile,” says Dr. Sandhu. “You’ll shave about 30 seconds off of your time. It’s because your endurance goes up and the blood flow to your muscles is better.”

Of course, Miami isn’t the only city lining up to get infused. “We’re starting to get international interest,” says Dr. Sandhu. “Miami is the perfect place for this to launch, but the sky is the limit.” 959 West Ave., Miami Beach, 855-464-8778

Miami’s burgeoning urban farming scene turns forsaken land into farm-to-table excellence, and offers both growers and diners more than just an exquisite meal.

The barley salad at Mandolin Aegean Bistro, with frisée, arugula, apples, and pomegranate seeds, uses greens straight from the onsite garden.

Just west of Miami International Airport, planes roar overhead while cars and trucks rumble by on a nearby overpass. But wedged between two shipping warehouses is row after resplendent row of potted plants, 50 kinds in all—Thai basil, Salanova lettuce, pungent Mexican hojasanta, and the new hybrid BrusselKale. Walk 10 yards and you pass through layers of aromas from winter tarragon to mint and lavender.

At any one time, there are between 20,000 and 50,000 plants growing in this vacant, one-acre industrial strip that, until six years ago, was an abandoned railroad track. Now it’s part of an organic farming operation run by Rock Garden, a produce shipping company. The plot also doubles as an educational landscape for the nonprofit Miami GROW Project (short for Green Railroad Organic Workshop) run by Thi Squire. “GROW is about turning a situation where you would never think you could grow an edible, and making it work,” says Squire.

“Making it work” is the essence of urban farming, which is currently popping up throughout Miami’s burgeoning food scene. In South Florida, GROW and a handful of other small plots that make up Miami’s urban farm movement are producing leafy greens that will end up on plates at forward-leaning restaurants such as Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink, The Dutch, Tongue & Cheek, BLT Steak, and any of the Pubbelly spots, as well as in markets like Milam’s in Coconut Grove, the Upper East Side Farmers Market, and a growing group of CSAs (community supported agriculture), which dole out regular deliveries of fresh produce to members.

Thi Squire at Miami GROW Project.

Miami’s urban farming has grown and found an audience as our restaurant scene moves away from showy South Beach joints to more eclectic, artisanal, and locally focused eateries on the mainland. Chef Michael Schwartz of Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink was one of the first to forge relationships with local organic farmers in Homestead such as Paradise Farms and Bee Heaven Farm. To do so, he helped create, at least in Miami, the concept of restaurant food foragers, who act as a liaison between small area growers and chefs looking for local goods.

As foragers started seeking more and more sources, they found urban farmers, including GROW, whose genesis came out of a quest for efficiency. Six years ago, the original founder of Rock Garden, Charlie Coiner, a seventh-generation farmer from Virginia, saw that his produce shipping company in Miami had extra space outside. “He was like, ‘Why can’t we grow basil here so I don’t have to transport it from so far?’” says Squire. “Everyone thought it was crazy because there’s airplanes flying overhead and there’s no soil here.”

Little River’s Tiffany Noé surveys the farm’s “hodgepodge” of herbs and vegetables.

Today, Squire says, “We’re definitely the largest certified organic grower of micro greens [in the US].” Kroger, America’s largest supermarket chain, has just picked up Rock Garden’s microgreens and is shipping them nationally. Chris Padin, who forages for all of Michael Schwartz’s properties as well as other restaurants, says, “When we started, we had a tough time breaking through, but in the last three years we’ve seen a lot more farm-to-table chefs pop up. It’s definitely on the rise."

Drive north of the relatively domesticated El Portal and North Miami on NE Sixth Avenue and you’ll eventually notice a neighborhood that somehow seems more feral. Through an unmarked gate is Little River Market Garden. Unlike industrial Rock Garden, this plot feels more like Costa Rica. Jungle encroaches at the edges, dragonflies dart about, and what appears to be a free-range toddler wobbles through rows of lettuce, making a beeline for a mulberry bush. Farmer and mom Muriel Olivares scoops up the child, Bimini, and lets both of us pick a berry. It’s warm from the sun and tastes jammy and vibrant. “Bimini can just walk around here and eat,” says Olivares. “She knows what’s edible and what’s not.”

A bunch of Chinese spinach available from Little River Market Garden in North Miami.

Olivares, who leases this three-acre plot, grew up in Miami and worked as a florist, but left the industry over concerns about toxic chemicals. Now she and friend Tiffany Noé use permaculture techniques to farm about half an acre here. That means no tractors but rather doing everything by hand, so there’s no carbon footprint other than what it takes to drive to the Upper East Side Farmers Market 90 blocks to the south. Tractor-friendly monoculture drains the soil of nutrients; by contrast, their hand-planted and hand-harvested farm looks more hodgepodge. In-between tomatoes, they grow beans; between slow-growing parsley, there’s quick-growing radishes.

As a means of moneymaking, urban farming is literally and figuratively a tough row to hoe. Olivares’s crops go to her CSA and to the Upper East Side Farmers Market, run by the Urban Oasis Project. Noé’s crops also go to the farmers market, as well as to Mandolin Aegean Bistro. “Small urban farmers can’t provide the convenience that a big distributor can, so for a restaurant that’s really busy, it’s hard for them to make the time,” says Olivares. “My first target is retail price, which is the average consumer at the farmers market. Whatever I can’t sell through that avenue, I try to sell to Proper Sausages, Zak the Baker, Michael’s Genuine, and Meals on Heels, which is a nonprofit organization that does events and dinners locally.” Olivares makes a “modest” living from the CSA, and her significant other has a job. Noé pulls a salary from Mandolin and has a business called Plantmatter, which helps people and restaurants install and maintain small growing spaces for their own food and flowers. Even so, the women are looking to expand to an additional plot.

A salad at Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink is made with ingredients from local growers.

While Olivares and Noé are considered leaders in the recent urban farm upswing, another farm making a run of it is the one-third acre Little Haiti Community Garden, run by Gary Feinberg and Tamara Hendershot. With boyish enthusiasm, Feinberg offers up a leaf of the aptly named wasabi arugula, which packs a wicked but fun punch, and a bud he calls “toothache.” A nibble sparkles on the tongue like powdered lemon Pop Rocks. Feinberg co-owns Brownes& Co., a full-service salon and spa in the Design District and South Beach, and started the garden as a hobby on a vacant lot that was once used for a restaurant. To avoid contaminated soil, he spent a year remediating the dirt, putting down a layer of cardboard and topping the entire lot with 15 inches of new soil and mulch. He now runs it as a permaculture operation with no tilling, which would release valuable carbon. In 2011 he acquired nonprofit status and received a grant from the Miami Dolphins Foundation, which allowed him to hire a part-time employee, PrevnerJulien, who came from Haiti after the earthquake. With Julien’s help, their own daily labor, and selling to spots such as Essensia Restaurant + Lounge, Crumb on Parchment, and Harry’s Pizzeria, Feinberg and Hendershot say the garden is now self-sustaining.

To date, Miami lags behind other cities’ urban farm movements as there are not a lot of growers and not a lot of plots. “The urban farm scene has been small, but it’s about to explode,” says Bill Squire, Thi’s husband. The explosion he’s excited about is a new, outsized urban farm called Verde Community Farm and Market in Homestead. At 22 acres, it’s vastly larger than any urban farm in the region, if not the country, and could expand to twice that size. And it’s all thanks to Hurricane Andrew.

After the devastating storm in 1992, the housing and recreational complex for the Homestead Air Force Base was abandoned. “I would say that 100 acres was flattened,” says Squire, the director of the farm’s community outreach. The base was downsized, and the land sat for 20 years, overgrown with 10-foot-tall cane grass. Then, a couple of years ago, the federal government gave about 50 acres to the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust and affordable housing developer Carrfour Supportive Housing. They brought in the Urban Oasis Project to run a 22-acre organic farm.

The result is an urban farm, in that it’s reclaimed land but on the scale of a suburban development. The project also includes a 4,000-square-foot farmers market and restaurant, and housing for formerly homeless families, whose adults will work on the farm and in the market and restaurant. At press time, Squire and his team had cleared five of the 22 acres, and by the September planting season, all 22 will be working. Some of the vegetables will show up in the kitchens of the Baptist Health System, but lots will end up on plates in trendy Miami restaurants.

Tiffany Noé and Muriel Olivares with Olivares’s daughter, Bimini, at Little River Market Garden. The produce they grow supplies the Upper East Side Farmers Market as well as local restaurants.

Restaurants in Miami are not only buying produce through foragers; they’re also now planting and growing their own. Essensia has a garden, as do Lorenzo and Ricky Thai Bistro in North Miami. Bars, too, such as The Broken Shaker and Blackbird Ordinary, have herb gardens. The eatery that’s made the biggest commitment, though, is Mandolin Aegean Bistro, whose owners, husband and wife AhmetErkaya and Anastasia Koutsioukis, converted a 3,000-square-foot lot behind the restaurant into an intensive garden managed by Tiffany Noé.

The garden is far too small to serve all of Mandolin’s needs, but it’s potent. They pick their produce at 9 am and serve it within hours. “My favorite reaction is when people order our field green salad. Everyone says, ‘Oh my God, what’s this dressing? It’s so peppery and delicious.’ And it’s not the dressing, it’s the ingredients,” says Koutsioukis.

The access to a living (but limited) garden has pushed creativity. “Tiffany will tell our chefs what will be available, and we create a dish around it—it keeps us on our toes,” says Koutsioukis. For example, the sweetness of its Sungold tomatoes prompted the team to pair them with a saltier cheese, grilled halloumi—a match they might not have dreamed up otherwise, but it was a smash hit. “It’s a huge investment, but the payback comes from the excitement from our patrons,” she says. “They want to walk back and see the garden. It creates a message. It allows you to appreciate what you’re putting into your body. This is about being connected to the food we’re creating.”

AhmetErkaya and Anastasia Koutsioukis at their Design District restaurant, Mandolin Aegean Bistro, which sources its produce from Little River Market Garden as well as their own on-site.

Still, urban farming is difficult. Why get your hands dirty? Why fight for zoning variances? Why go through the hassle of changing the menu every day and buying locally? “For me, it’s the common-sense approach—keeping the money in the state and supporting small businesses,” says Schwartz. “Having the food travel less, so we’re using less energy. How it tastes. It goes back to knowing where your food comes from. If you’re eating stuff that just came out of the ground, chances are it’s going to taste better.”

It might be that in this digital epoch of virtual connections, we’re beginning to crave visceral connections, a privileged class craving the artisanal, the noncommercial, the one-of-a-kind. “It’s the beautiful contrast of Miami,” says Koutsioukis, whose restaurant is steps away from the luxe-intensive Design District. “We have both of the luxuries: Being able to eat food from a garden, harvested that day, is just as luxurious as buying a handstitched bag. There’s no difference.”

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim marks its 10th anniversary, SwimShow expands, and new brands make their Miami debut at this year’s Swim Week 2015.

Last year, 29 international swimwear brands unveiled their 2014 collections at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim.

For thousands of models, designers, and industry insiders (and their lucky plus-ones), July means Miami Swim Week—the electric start to the swimwear industry’s busy season and a look at the trends to come. One of the biggest draws is Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week (MBFW) Swim, now in its 10th year, held at the Raleigh Hotel. “We were approached by the city to launch an event to add showmanship that was complementary to [SwimShow], the largest [trade fair] in the world dedicated to the swimwear industry,” says Jarrad Clark, VP and global creative director at IMG Fashion, the production house behind Fashion Week.

Today, a seat at a MBFW Swim runway show is hard to come by. This year, IMG has expanded to new on-site poolside and penthouse shows, where guests can catch designers like Paola Robba of PokoPano. Fashion-favorite Mara Hoffman returns with her signature prints, as will LuliFama, Miami’s homegrown talent, which delivers high-energy entertainment and strong sex appeal. Other must-sees include L*Space by Monica Wise, back for its seventh run, and Maaji, which had a hit reveal last year with its pirate-themed, lingerie-inspired “Chimeric Wayfarer” show. New additions to the lineup include fashion brand Clover Canyon and Los Angeles–based Belusso and Mikoh, which will debut its mod minimalism on Saturday, July 19.

If growth were a trend, the Swimwear Association of Florida’s SwimShow would be leading. This year’s show features an additional 500,000 square feet to incorporate a wider variety of collections like Phat Buddha, the first fitness brand to participate in the show. “We are really excited about the new and fashion-focused collections we are seeing from the men’s, children’s, accessories, resort, and lifestyle areas of the industry,” says Judy Stein, the association’s executive director. So are, it would seem, the show’s anticipated 9,500 attendees. Of course, as Stein notes, the setting certainly helps. “Miami Beach offers a colorful party of its own.” Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim takes place July 17–20 at the Raleigh Hotel, 1775 Collins Ave., Miami Beach. Swimwear Association of Florida’s SwimShow takes place July 19–22 at Miami Beach Convention Center, 1901 Convention Center Dr., Miami Beach

Amanda Boalt, the granddaughter of the late Lilly Pulitzer, bursts on to the swim scene with her eponymous label’s unique take on men’s resortwear.

Amanda Boalt at her beach house in Palm Beach, with models wearing her South Florida-inspired board shorts in banana leaf and flying fish prints ($130 each).

For Amanda Boalt, Palm Beach has always been a way of life, even when she was working for Ralph Lauren in New York. Her grandmother, the late Lilly Pulitzer, was the epitome of carefree beach style and the queen of print, and this sans-souci lifestyle is evident in Boalt’s men’s resort line, Strong Boalt. “I love everything about living in South Florida,” says the designer, who resides full-time in Palm Beach. “The ocean is a part of everyday life here. And Granny’s spirit lives on everywhere in Palm Beach.”

Pulitzer’s love of energetic patterns and “happy” colors permeated her collection as well as her personal belongings (many of which were sold to ardent collectors and brand devotees this past February at Palm Beach’s Leslie Hindman Auctioneers). Strong Boalt, which Boalt founded in 2009, translates that joie de vivre into a more sophisticated look for modern-day gents. “I’m personally very classic and sporty, and this has a direct influence on my line,” says Boalt, who found inspiration in her South Florida upbringing, which included days spent “spearing fish in the nearby Bahamas,” paddleboarding, playing tennis, and boating. Prints, including this season’s vintage banana leaf and cabana stripes, are derived from a variety of beach-themed sources, including “photography, postcards, natural textures, and art.”

Amanda Boalt’s grandmother, Lilly Pulitzer, on her boat in 1964.

New for this summer will be not only a fresh collection of graphic prints but also the introduction of three new shirt styles, including the Alexander, a clean-cut tennis polo with a pocket that’s a Boalt favorite. New walking shorts, available in the brand’s signature array of colors, can be worn from water to land, which adds to the versatility of the line. “Our man is a man who travels to warm tropical places and likes to spend most of his time on the coast,” says Boalt. “He packs lightly and wants classic beachwear that is functional for action-packed getaways.” Look to these styles this summer for the perfect mix of classic Americana and South Florida whimsy. Absolutely Suitable at The Breakers, 1 S. County Road, Palm Beach, 561-655-6611

Ravenous after a day on the sand? Here are some of Miami Beach’s best après beach meals.

Yellowfin tuna burrito and signature lime-spiced popcorn from My Ceviche.

After braving the surf or basking in the powerful Miami sun, it’s just a matter of time before hunger strikes (vitamin D is known to increase the appetite). When it does, there are a handful of fantastic spots on the beach that elevate casual cuisine to an art, and they don’t mind if you show up with a little sand in your sandals. Below, we’ve picked the best dish from each.

SWEET CEVICHE

Just four blocks from the Atlantic Ocean in South Beach, My Ceviche operates out of a tiny doorway and boasts an impressive menu with big flavors for fast and healthy meals. As the name implies, ceviche reigns supreme here, with fresh wild-caught fish from local fishermen. We particularly love the “build your own” ceviche bowl made with coconut jasmine rice, coconut-style sauce (Florida citrus juices with coconut water, avocado, jalapeños, cilantro, red onions, and radishes), and a protein-packed combo of fish, shrimp, and octopus. 235 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, 305-397-8710

BOOKS & BITES

The grilled organic tofu wrap at The Café at Books & Books.

The sport of record on Lincoln Road is people watching, and there’s no better place to do that than The Café at Books & Books. Walk off the beach, grab a table, and enjoy the show. To stay on your toes, we recommend the grilled organic tofu fajita wrap, with caramelized onions, roasted red peppers, avocado salsa, and sweet mustard sauce wrapped in a whole wheat tortilla with roasted corn salad as a complement. 927 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach, 305-695-8898

’WICH CRAFT

Walk (or bike) right up to the roadside La Sandwicherie. Bicycle courtesy of the Surfcomber’s Public Bike Program.

Belly up in your bikini or board shorts to the outdoor counter at the legendary La Sandwicherie, a French-owned and decidedly beachy eatery where the turkey and Camembert cheese sandwich is served on one of Miami’s best baguettes and topped with your choice of hearty portions of lettuce, tomatoes, green and hot peppers, black olives, onions, cucumbers, or cornichons (French pickles), and then doused with a shot of La Sandwicherie’s vinaigrette dressing. Although it’s hotly debated, this is our best bet for curbing beach-day cravings. The food is so good, you may even leave with an extra jar of cornichons and a bottle of vinaigrette. 229 14th St., Miami Beach, 305-532-8934

SALAD A GO-GO

A convenient hot spot for South Beach’s health-conscious, Go-Go Fresh Food has an immense menu of fresh and delicious bites as well as indoor and outdoor seating. The cranberry chicken mini salad— breast meat mixed with cranberries, celery, walnuts, and a touch of mayonnaise—gives you greens, protein, and a delightful mix of fruit. Mandarin orange slices and fresh house-made Asian dressing add an exotic flair. Still hungry? Add the signature baked-to-order Go-Go empanadas to your meal—there are more than a dozen varieties representing nearly every kind of cuisine. 926 Alton Road, Miami Beach, 305-673-3137

HAIL KALE!

Organic kale Caesar salad with salmon from Ice Box Cafe.

Miami’s most active locals can often be found in the hip Sunset Harbour neighborhood, paddleboarding in Biscayne Bay, sweating their way through boot camp, or raising their heart rate with spinning or yoga. All of the action is just steps away from Ice Box Cafe’s fantastic kale Caesar, an indulgent post-workout dish with organic kale, cherry tomatoes, GranaPadano (semi-aged hard Italian cheese), and housemade Caesar dressing. Wild salmon is our pick for a protein add-on. Take it to go for a meal by the marina. 1855 Purdy Ave., Miami Beach, 305-538-8448

LET’S TALK TACOS

Todd Erickson at Huahua’sTaqueria.

Take a seat in the shade under Huahua’sTaqueria’s umbrellas and order the refreshing elote, the eatery’s grilled Mexican sweet corn on the cob, smothered with spicy mayo, Cotija cheese (Mexican cow’s milk cheese), and cilantro. Follow that up with a set of three chili-rubbed shrimp tacos. Huahua’s puts a nice char on the crustaceans, which are then paired with crisp jicama, lime, cilantro, cabbage, and spicy mayo. Top the tacos with any of the delicious, fiery housemade hot sauces, and the beach will seem cool by comparison. 1211 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach, 305-534-8226

As you fill your closet with summer fashion, consider these finds that support philanthropic endeavors around the world.

Printed Bow Tote ($128). Kate Spade, 320 San Lorenzo Ave., Space 1235, Coral Gables, 305-441-2377

This bold tote exudes summer in Miami; buy it and you’ll support Kate Spade’s On Purpose initiative. By teaching 150 women in Masaro, Rwanda how to make products for Kate Spade & Company's brands, the hope is that this group of artisans can become a permanent supplier and provide economic support to their African community.

Left: TOMS Brogues Wingtip for Men ($98). Right: TOMS Chambray Wedge Sandal ($69). Nordstrom, 4310 Ponce De Leon Blvd., Coral Gables, 786-999-1313

You might be familiar with TOMS’ One for One shoe donation program, but this summer, get familiar with the brands’ stylish seasonal shoes—for men and women. Above, two chambray styles that’ll complete a casual summer look. 

Left: Alex and Ani Living Water Expandable Wire Bangle ($28). Right: Alex and Ani Life Preserver Expandable Wire Bangle ($28). Bloomingdale’s, 8778 S.W. 136th St., Miami, 305-252-6300

Bracelet mecca Alex and Ani gives back to multiple charities through its Charity by Design collection. Summer-appropriate selections include a recycled brass bangle with a blue glass charm, which benefits Living Water International, and a bangle with a life preserver charm, which benefits Donate Life America.

Lemlem Striped V-Neck Tunic ($200). Barneys New York, 832 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, 305-421-2010

This striped cotton tunic—which doubles as an airy bathing suit cover-up—is made by weavers in Ethiopia for Lemlem, a clothing line founded by model Liya Kebede to give citizens of her native country economic independence, and to preserve the art of weaving.

Top: Warby Parker Beckett Revolver Black Matte ($95). Bottom: Warby Parker Minnie Eucalyptus ($95). Warby Parker glasses available at The Readery at The Standard Spa, 40 Island Ave., Miami, 888-492-7297

Warby Parker’s Buy a Pair, Give a Pair program promises that for every pair of glasses sold, a pair will be given to someone in need. Luckily its collections are easy on the eyes: above, black matte-rimmed shades for men, and round, eucalyptus-green frames for women.

Watch Hunger Stop Oversized 100 Series Watch in Gold ($295). Michael Kors, 9700 Collins Ave., Ste. 230, Bal Harbour, 305-864-4144

This oversized Michael Kors watch has the perfect summer color combo: light gold-tone stainless steel with a deep turquoise dial. Better yet, for every watch purchased, 100 meals will be delivered to children in need by the United Nations World Food Programme. 

Celebs like Entourage’s Adrian Grenier, Orange is the New Black’s Dascha Polanco, E! News anchor Terrence Jenkins, and many more recently convened in Miami for a benefit weekend hosted by DJ Irie and Jamie Foxx. This and more in this week’s celebrity news.

Rapper Ma$e, Orange is the New Black’s Dascha Polanco, and DJ Irie at the 10th Annual Irie Weekend 

DJ Irie and Jamie Foxx Co-Host Weekend Benefit

DJ Irie kicked off his 10th Annual Irie Weekend benefitting the Irie Foundation with a soirée on June 19 at the National Hotel in Miami Beach. Rapper Ma$e performed for guests, including Entourage’s Adrian Grenier, Orange is the New Black’s Dascha Polanco, and Heat player Chris Bosh. 

The next day, more than 150 golfers participated in a celebrity tournament at the Miami Beach Golf Club, including pro golfer Rickie Fowler—who gave Jamie Foxx a few tips—Dwayne Wade, Alonzo Mourning, Kevin Dillon, Shawn Marion, Omar Benson Miller, and Jason Taylor.

That night, Irie and E! News anchor Terrence Jenkins hosted the Think Like A Man Too movie release party at the Fontainebleau’s LIV Nightclub with a performance by Nick Cannon and a surprise set by Puff Daddy.

The Irie Weekend Celebrity Bowl took place at Lucky Strike Lanes on Saturday, June  21. Kids from the Irie Foundation bowled with celebrity attendees like Kevin Dillon, Omar Miller, Alonso Mourning, and Cedric Ceballos.

The weekend concluded with DJ Irie's birthday celebration at E11even Miami, where Jermaine Dupri and Jamie Foxx performed. Puff Daddy—who made a late-night appearance and spent his time in the second-level VIP area—and Jamie Foxx shouted birthday messages to Irie on the mic, while Floyd Mayweather, who had seven bodyguards, watched the club's Theatr11cs performance.

Enrique Iglesias and Anna Kournikova Dine at Zuma

Enrique Iglesias and tennis star Anna Kournikova were spotted at Zuma last week, dining with a few friends.

Paulina Rubio and Zlatan Ibrahimović Celebrate at Cavalli

Mexican singer/actress Paulina Rubio celebrated her birthday on June 17 with a table of 15 people at Cavalli Miami Restaurant & Lounge.

The day before, Swedish soccer player Zlatan Ibrahimović was spotted at Cavalli, sitting at a large table with friends.

Nina Agdal Grabs Drinks at Rec Room

Danish model Nina Agdal was seen drinking with friends by the bar at Rec Room on the evening of Saturday, June 28.

Les Twins Stay at Shore Club

French dancers Les Twins called Shore Club home last week while they were in town for Jay-Z and Beyoncé's Miami On The Run tour stop on June 25. 

PHOTOGRAPHY BY OMAR VEGA

Skip the hassle of throwing your own Fourth of July fête and join one of these parties around town this week.

American brews at Biscayne Tavern

Shrimp Broil at Biscayne Tavern

Biscayne Tavern is celebrating the Fourth in a Southern fashion. On Friday, stop by from 11 a.m. to midnight for a shrimp broil feast with a view of Bayfront Park's firework show at night. The broil includes a pound of peel-and-eat shrimp and American beer draft and bucket specials. 146 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, 305-307-8300

Independence Day BBQ at Wynwood Kitchen & Bar

Wynwood Kitchen & Bar is throwing a backyard BBQ on the lawn, providing eaters with views of the Wynwood Walls, on Friday from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Executive Chef Miguel Aguilar is putting a spin on American favorites; expect eats like chorizo beef burgers, and Ball Park hot dogs with Cotija cheese, pickled jalapeño, shoe string potatoes, and chipotle aioli. 2550 N.W. 2nd Ave., Miami, 305-722-8959

The Dutch’s All-American Cookout

The Dutch is celebrating Independence Day early on Wednesday, July 2, when Chef Conor Hanlon kicks off the restaurant's returning Bourbon, Beer & 'Cue series at a new venue: the backyard at Grove at W South Beach. Starting at 7 p.m., this week’s event will have an all-American theme and feature guest chef Jamie DeRosa of Tongue & Cheek. Tickets include a family-style meal of apple-brined smoked BBQ chicken, smoked and barbecued mackerel sandwiches, Texas-style smoked beef brisket, and more, as well as bourbon and punch bowl specials. (Purchase tickets here.) 2201 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, 305-938-3111

Tweet Your Way to Cocktails at The Broken Shaker

Practice your freedom of speech by trading social call outs for drinks this week. On Thursday, July 3 from 8-11 p.m., The Broken Shaker will transform into The Emperor's Social Bar by Mandarine Napoléon, where the currency for the evening is social media posts. Each new tweet or Instagram photo that includes #EmperorsBar, @FollowNapoleon, and @FreehandMiami can be traded for a drink token good for a Mandarine Napoléon cocktail. 2727 Indian Creek Drive, Miami Beach, 305-531-2727

Still deciding what to wear this weekend? We found five pieces that will raise the chic factor of your Fourth of July ensemble.

Exclusive For Intermix Sleeveless Poplin Button Down ($198). Intermix, 634 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, 305-531-5950

Pair this white-and-blue striped peplum top with white cropped pants for a casual barbecue.

Lauren Davenport Leather Shopper ($228). Ralph Lauren, Bal Harbour Shops, 9700 Collins Ave., Bal Harbour, 305-861-2059

Carry this red-and-navy handbag to add a sophisticated I-love-America spin to any outfit.

Rebecca Taylor Skirt ($295). Bloomingdale’s, 8778 S.W. 136th St., Miami, 305-252-6300

This royal blue, pull-on skirt can be worn a number of ways. For the Fourth of July: a white top with neutral wedges makes the perfect patriotic-chic look.

Kate Spade New York Sweetie Platform Wedge Espadrille ($278). Nordstrom, 4310 Ponce De Leon Blvd., Coral Gables, 786-999-1313

These slingback espadrille wedges add just the right amount of red to a navy or white outfit.

Edna Gown ($2,995). Tory Burch, Bal Harbour Shops, 9700 Collins Ave., Bal Harbour, 305-867-7469

Straight from the runway, this red-and-white floral gown is a light, airy option for a formal event. The beaded necklace eliminates the need for statement jewelry.