The world’s growing population and the impact of the changing climate are putting nature’s ability to provide for all of us at risk. Are we paying enough attention to this looming threat?

Take a look around and it becomes clear that nearly everything surrounding us—the food we eat, the water we drink, the air we breathe, the butcher-block table in your kitchen, the paper used for this magazine—comes from nature. The simple truth is that humanity cannot survive without nature: for our food, fresh water, lifesaving medicines, and so much more.

When you see the abundance of food at the local supermarket—the bins of fruits and vegetables, the seafood on ice, the water bottles on the shelves—you may not always think about where it all comes from or what would happen if nature could no longer provide for us. Currently there are 7.3 billion people on the planet. According to a report by the United Nations, the world’s population is expected to grow to 9.6 billion by the year 2050. Global demand for food, water, and energy is predicted to increase by 35 percent, 40 percent, and 50 percent, respectively, by 2030. This will further test nature’s ability to provide for us, as will the expanding middle class around the world.

The unprecedented consumption of critical natural resources poses enormous challenges for the entire planet. Some countries are already feeling the effects with depleted fisheries and diminished food stocks resulting from the inability of agricultural production to keep pace with demand. In recent years, more food was consumed around the world than was produced. The changing climate compounds these trends, as the increasing number and severity of storms (like Hurricane Sandy, which battered the East Coast in 2012), floods, and droughts threaten global food and water supplies.

RELATED: How Miami Beach is fighting climate change >>

Competition for increasingly scarce resources can lead to social and political instability, conflict, radicalization, and possibly even failed nations. According to the US National Intelligence Council, “[resource] scarcities are likely to hit hardest on poorer states, leading in the worst case to internal or interstate conflict and spillover to regional destabilization.” Richard Haass, president of the Council on Foreign Relations, the country’s premier foreign-policy think tank, agrees. “Resources are linked to both the stability of countries and to the stability of regions,” he says. Resource shortages and competition need to be on “the list of possible sources of friction or conflict” and are “potentially a contributing cause of instability within countries and conceivably a source of instability between countries.” But resource scarcity is not just a problem for other countries; it is also a threat to the United States’ economic interests and national security.

Is there hope?

Given the stress on nature’s ability to provide for the growing population due to increasing demand and the serious impacts of the changing climate, are we doomed, or is there still hope? According to Peter Seligmann, a leading conservationist and the founder, chairman, and CEO of Conservation International, a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting nature for the well-being of people, there is reason to be hopeful. “Many governments, businesses, and local communities are realizing the importance of nature to the global economy, livelihoods, and security,” he says. “They are not standing on the sidelines watching as nature is depleted. They are engaging and taking actions to ensure nature is sustainable.”

Seligmann cites the example of Walmart, the world’s largest retailer, which is leading the charge for sustainability among corporations with its three goals: to sell products that sustain both people and the environment, to create zero waste, and to run on 100 percent renewable energy. Due to its vast size, Walmart can have a significant impact on sustainability up and down its supply chain. “Walmart executives see that their supplies of fish and food depend upon the health of ecosystems,” Seligmann explains, “and they see that ecosystems are being stressed out by shifts in climate. That affects their supply. They’re thinking long-term.”

According to Rob Walton, the company’s chairman and the eldest son of Walmart founder Sam Walton, “For Walmart, it’s about our responsibility as a business, but partly about how many of our sustainability efforts allow us to be more efficient and to continue to pass those savings on to our customers.” Ensuring a sustainable supply chain so that its shelves are always fully stocked is critical to the company’s business.

If you’ve noticed a difference in the size of laundry detergent bottles in the last decade, you have Walmart to thank. The company has single-handedly driven the industry to embrace more eco-friendly packaging. And at Walmart’s 2014 Sustainability Product Expo, it introduced an initiative challenging manufacturers to reduce by 25 percent the amount of water in every dose of detergent in North America by 2018. Also announced at the Expo was a new initiative to increase recycling rates in the US by providing low-interest loans to municipalities for recycling projects.

Increasingly, companies—including Disney, Starbucks, and Marriott—are realizing that environmental sustainability is not only in their economic self-interest; it is also in the interest of their customers and the communities in which they operate. For example, The Walt Disney Company is implementing major changes designed to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, improve its energy efficiency, reduce its water consumption, minimize waste, protect natural ecosystems, and inspire action on environmental health. The company is also funding a flagship project in the Peruvian Amazon to address the main causes of deforestation.

Many are aware of Whole Foods’ eco-friendly policies, which include supporting sustainable agriculture and sound environmental practices. The company has also designed Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design [LEED]-certified stores and initiated recycling programs, and it offsets 100 percent of its energy consumption with renewable-energy credits. And through its sustainable coffee-sourcing program, known as CAFE (Coffee and Farmer Equity) Practices, Starbucks is maintaining the quality of its brews while encouraging higher environmental, social, and economic standards. The initiative has had a significant positive impact on forest conservation and coffee-farming communities, and the company is expected to meet its goal of serving 100 percent ethically sourced coffee this year.

RELATED: 9 more big brands with eco-friendly practices >>

How is the changing climate affecting us now?

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, an international body that reviews scientific research on the changing climate, stated in a recent report that it is “unequivocal” that the global climate is warming: “The atmosphere and ocean have warmed, the amounts of snow and ice have diminished, and sea level has risen.”

The IPCC notes that concentrations of greenhouse gases have increased and projects that if the current rate of greenhouse gas emissions continues, the climate and oceans will continue to warm during the 21st century. That could result in sea levels rising anywhere from 21 inches to three feet by 2100, endangering cities worldwide, from New York and Miami to London and Sydney. Coastal flooding and erosion are expected to increase with rising sea levels.

The panel also found evidence that human health, agriculture, water supplies, and in some cases people’s livelihoods have already been impacted by climate change. Increased acidification of the oceans (from the absorption of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere) has harmed marine ecosystems, such as coral reefs and fisheries, potentially threatening our food security. The IPCC predicts climate change is projected to impact the availability of fresh water and increase water scarcity, which could result in competition for the resource. The production of crops like wheat and rice is also projected to be negatively impacted by the changing climate. Risks to human health may also rise due to stronger heat waves, decreased food production, and a greater prevalence of disease, according to the panel.

One place that is already feeling the impact of the changing climate is the remote nation of Kiribati, which sits just a few feet above sea level in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, more than 1,000 miles south of Hawaii. Kiribati is composed of 33 tiny islands and has a population of just over 100,000. If sea levels continue to rise, this republic, which is directly in the eye of the storm, could literally be swallowed up by the sea.

According to the country’s president, Anote Tong, rising tides have damaged property and infrastructure, and sea water is intruding on freshwater plants and damaging food crops. “The future is a very real concern,” he says. “My grandchildren will have a very difficult future. We really have to do a lot of work. We need resources to be able to build up the islands in order to be resilient to the impacts that will come in the future.” Although people living thousands of miles from Kiribati may not yet feel the effects of climate change directly, eventually they will, Tong adds, and the world should act now, before it’s too late. “It is better not to look back and say, ‘Oh no, we should have done something,’” says Tong. He sees this issue as “the most serious moral challenge for humanity,” adding that “humanity will, at some point in time, see the need and the obligation to respond to what is happening. If it’s later, we will go down the drain, but hopefully it will be a lesson. I hope that lesson is well learned to ensure that whatever further damage would be caused will not happen.”

Here at home, the third National Climate Assessment, published last year, reports that people across the United States—from corn growers in Iowa to oyster farmers in Washington State—are already feeling the impact of our changing climate, and that impact is growing. The first decade of the 21st century was the world’s hottest on record, and 2012 was the warmest year recorded in the continental United States. According to the report, temperatures in most areas of the country are expected to rise by as much as four degrees Fahrenheit in the coming decades, which threatens US agricultural production, worth about $330 billion annually.

The US defense and intelligence communities are increasingly focusing on the impact of climate change on resource scarcity, food security, and stability within and among nations. The US Department of Defense’s 2014 Quadrennial Defense Review characterizes climate change as a significant global challenge. “The pressures caused by climate change will influence resource competition while placing additional burdens on economies, societies, and governance institutions around the world,” the report states. “These effects are threat multipliers that will aggravate stressors abroad such as poverty, environmental degradation, political instability, and social tensions—conditions that can enable terrorist activity and other forms of violence.”

In a 2013 speech, Chuck Hagel, then the US secretary of defense, spoke about how climate change can “significantly add to the challenges of global instability, hunger, poverty, and conflict. Food and water shortages, pandemic disease, disputes over refugees and resources, and more severe natural disasters all place additional burdens on economies, societies, and institutions around the world.” Richard Haass of the Council on Foreign Relations agrees that the changing climate is potentially a source of social instability, possibly resulting in large-scale population movements and a humanitarian nightmare as well as political destabilization. The changing climate raises real questions of economic viability, he says, and if it leads to failed states, “that can create breeding grounds for terrorism or other forms of behaviors that we do not want to see.”

Despite the concerns expressed by scientists and world leaders, Americans rank addressing global warming near the bottom of their policy priorities. In a poll conducted last year by the Pew Research Center, global warming came in 19th among 20 policy concerns, with the economy, jobs, and defending the country from terrorism being the respondents’ top priorities. Yet, according to Conservation International’s Peter Seligmann, the changing climate could be devastating in all of those areas—threatening our food and water supply, our economic stability, and ultimately our security—and he believes that something must be done now.

Nations and communities need to take measures to mitigate climate change by reducing their greenhouse gas emissions, Seligmann says, adding they must also adapt to the changes that have already occurred and prepare for those to come. Ecosystem-based approaches, such as conserving and restoring forests and coastal mangrove swamps, as well as building seawalls to protect against the rising oceans, are adaptive measures that can reduce the impact of climate change by increasing a locality’s resilience. “Those actions require a change in our behavior,” he says. “Those actions require a change in how we supply our energy. Those actions require an increased recognition of the importance of securing ecosystems and their health.”

What can individuals do to make a difference? “There is much we can do, in terms of whom we vote for and in terms of making good choices with our dollars to make sure we purchase things that are manufactured by companies that are really helping to find solutions rather than exacerbating the problem,” Seligmann says. “Protecting nature is not an option. It is essential for the well-being of people. It is not someone else’s problem. We are all in this together.”

No one can predict the future with 100 percent accuracy, so we cannot know for sure how the changing climate will alter nature’s ability to provide for the world’s growing population. Nor can we be certain of the long-term impact that resource scarcity will have on the global economy, security, and people’s livelihoods. But what we can see are the consequences of the changing climate today. We can either take action now to ensure the health of our natural world, or we can wait and see whether the predictions come true and hope we don’t end up looking back and saying, “Oh no, we should have done something.”

Nature and all it provides for us—fresh water, fertile soil, food, and so much more—is the lifeblood of human well-being. The pressures on its ecosystems have never been greater. The stakes have never been higher. Protecting nature from the changing climate and ensuring its health is of strategic importance to our economy, our security, and our survival. The planet will endure, with or without us. As Harrison Ford, vice chair of Conservation International, says, “Nature doesn’t need people. People need nature.”

These global brands are leading the way in environmentally responsible practices.

Chipotle Mexican Grill has made a commitment to “Food with Integrity” by serving organic, locally grown, and family-farmed foods. The company has also pledged to offer sustainably produced food and dairy products without synthetic hormones.

The Coca-Cola Company is working to achieve its 2020 environmental goals, which include improving water efficiency by 25 percent, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 25 percent, raising the recovery rate of its cans and bottles to 75 percent in developed markets, and sustainably sourcing key ingredients. The company has also participated in hundreds of Community Water Partnership projects, providing access to safe water in countries around the world.

Hewlett-Packard, through its Living Progress program, employs its technological expertise to help build a sustainable world. As part of the program, the Earth Insights project uses a groundbreaking early-warning system that allows scientists to monitor endangered species in tropical ecosystems in almost real time.

Marriott International, a Bethesda, Maryland-based company, is implementing a comprehensive sustainability strategy that includes commitments to reduce energy and water consumption, green its supply chain, and inspire its guests and associates to conserve natural resources. The company has also provided support to forest and water conservation projects in Brazil and China.

Omega partnered with the GoodPlanet Foundation in 2011, and within a year the company showcased the beauty of the world’s oceans in the documentary Planet Ocean, examined the stresses on its ecosystems, and offered solutions. To further foster conservation, Omega designed a special timepiece, the Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M GMT GoodPlanet, a portion of whose sales proceeds fully fund a project to preserve mangroves, sea grasses, and coral reefs in the seas of Southeast Asia.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts is committed to sustainable practices while continuing to offer a great experience for its guests. The company has set a target of 2020 to decrease energy and water consumption by 30 percent and 20 percent, respectively, and to reduce emissions and waste.

Stella McCartney’s line features an array of environmentally friendly products, such as eyewear produced with materials like castor oil seeds and citric acid; shoes with soles made from a bio-plastic called APINAT, which degrades when placed in a compost pile; and a faux-leather line created with more than 50 percent vegetable oil, which allows the company to use less petroleum in its products.

Tiffany & Co. employs only paper suppliers that have been certified by the Forest Stewardship Council for the brand’s famous blue boxes and bags.

Unilever has established the goal of sourcing 100 percent of its agricultural raw materials sustainably by 2020. In the same time period, the company has also committed to cutting its greenhouse gas emissions, per-customer water use, and waste.

PHOTOGRAPHY VIA FACEBOOK.COM/CHIPOTLE

Miami Beach is developing infrastructure innovations to protect our city from the adverse effects of climate change.

The Miami skyline with construction cranes seen from Biscayne Bay.

“Miami ranks number one in terms of vulnerability to sea-level rise associated with climate change,” says Ben Kirtman, professor of atmospheric sciences at University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science. The US National Climate Assessment, put together by government agencies such as NASA and the Department of Defense, predicts a two-foot sea-level rise by 2060 (other estimates predict six feet by the year 2100). A rise of only one foot could mean losing between 500 to 2,000 feet of land along Dade County shorelines; meanwhile, South Beach is only about 4,000 feet wide. To further complicate things, much of Miami Beach sits on porous limestone, allowing water to seep in, regardless of dikes and levees.

What will Miami look like in 50 years, 100 years? For a gentle preview, look back to the October “king tides,” which raise incoming water a mere foot above normal, submerging a swath of valuable real estate on South Beach and covering commuter routes during high tide. “We coined the term ‘sunny day flooding,’” says Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine of the king tides. “We’ve seen the sea-level rise, and we’ve seen corresponding flooding on peak high tides. It’s something we believe has not happened in the past.”

Is there time to solve the problem? “This strongly depends on what happens with greenhouse gas emissions in the coming decades,” says Kirtman, “and on how much we are willing to invest in maintaining the built infrastructure.”

Mayor Levine’s administration has come up with a three-pronged program that he claims should address the issue for the next 30 to 50 years. First, engineers created custom one-way flex valves for all the city’s outfall pipes, allowing floodwater out but not back in (previous systems were clogged and broken). Next, the city identified flooding “hot spots,” mostly low-lying areas around West and Alton Avenues, and tested a high-power pump program that seems to have worked well this past fall using four to six pumps. The next step is installing 50 to 70 more pumps around the city. “It was a positive step in a long battle,” says Levine. “We know that with that existing technology, for the next 50 years, we can keep our streets dry. It depends, of course, on what [degree] of sea-level rise we believe is going to be the case, which is up for debate.”

RELATED: Miami's newest green buildings >>

The third prong is the most ambitious, and involved changing building codes. “We’re going to be requiring all new construction to be built at a higher level. We’re going to be raising our sea walls in our code,” says Levine.

What about those who say Miami Beach will be a subsurface relic in a century? “I believe in the ingenuity of humankind,” he says, likening it to trying to envision FaceTime 50 years ago. “What you can’t imagine today will be invented to make our coastal cities resilient.”

Whether you’re looking in Miami Beach or Aventura, $5 million buys different variations on luxury, convenience, and a piece of paradise.

Combining Art Deco and Mediterranean elements, the meticulously restored historic 2830 Lucerne Avenue on Sunset Island is listed for $4.975.

Ocean Drive Condo: As you descend below Fifth Street on Ocean Drive, you leave the tourists behind. At the Ocean House, located at 125 Ocean Drive, Unit 0204 is a three-level, three-bedroom loft listed for $5.75 million. The unit features 2,800 square feet of living space, as well as a 1,000-square-foot roof deck, for an urban experience near the sea. Broker Dora Puig emphasizes South of Fifth’s walkability, beach access, and its desirability to jet-setting types in the market for a plush second, or third, home. Attractions within mere blocks include the “Miami Beach Marina to hop on your boat, and 20 of Miami’s finest dining establishments and lounges, all wrapped by South Pointe Park,” says Puig. Dora Puig, Luxe Living Realty, 407 Lincoln Road, Ste. 9D, Miami Beach, 305-613-2118

Ocean House Unit 0204, a three-level, three bedroom loft in South of Fifth listed for $5.75 million, comes with its own 1,000-square-foot roof deck.

Sunset Island Single-Family: “It was exclusive then and continues to be to this day,” says broker Nancy Batchelor of Sunset Island. Batchelor remembers how her husband, who moved there in 1964, would take his Boston Whaler to classes at St. Patrick’s. The broker recently listed a meticulously restored historic house, dripping in architectural details, on the island for $4.975 million. Buyers would have to dock their boat somewhere other than at home, because the house, located at 2830 Lucerne Avenue, is a block off the water, and it would be remiss not to mention that, yes, sea-level rise is a consideration. The house itself, however, is spectacular. Built in 1936 by leading Miami Beach architect Carlos Schoeppl, it combines elements of Art Deco and Mediterranean architecture, many of which were meticulously restored in 2014. With marble fireplaces, fine metal fixtures throughout, and elegant Deco chandeliers, the four-bedroom, 3,643-square-footer “is not a house for someone with 18 kids,” says Batchelor, although a family with two youngsters raised to appreciate the finer things in life might do very nicely. They’ll be close to “top dining, shopping, schools, a hospital, and golf,” she says, while still being on a gated island. Nancy Batchelor, 419 Arthur Godfrey Road, Miami Beach, 305-329-7718

Aventura’s spacious Hamptons South tower PH 8/9, for $5.15 million, has six bedrooms and 7.5 baths, with ready access to marinas, golf, and the Aventura Mall.

Aventura Penthouse: “Aventura has great shopping. All of the conveniences, like markets, and delis, are close by,” says Diane Lieberman of South Beach International Realty. “The [condominium] units that border the golf course have amazing bike/ skating/walking courses for three miles.” One of those units is the largest penthouse in Aventura’s Hamptons South tower, PH 8/9, which Lieberman has listed for $5.15 million. Built in 2004, the huge 8,500-square-foot unit has six bedrooms and 7.5 baths. On the 1,200-square-foot rooftop terrace, you’ll survey Aventura’s resort-like setting, including readily accessible marinas, golf, and tennis, and of course the mall for which Aventura is known, off in the distance. Diane Lieberman, South Beach International Realty, 1680 Meridian Ave., Ste. 102, Miami Beach, 305-532-7771

Fashionistas from North Beach to Coral Gables are enchanted by the season’s flirty styles and tropical shades.

Cross-draped bra top, Donna Karan New York ($895). Saks Fifth Avenue, Bal Harbour Shops, 9700 Collins Ave., 305-865-1100. Lilac skirt, Giulietta ($875). Barneys New York, 832 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, 305-421-2010. Chandelier earrings ($395) and rose bracelet ($475), Oscar de la Renta. Bal Harbour Shops, 305-868-7986. Minaudiere, Salvatore Ferragamo ($1,850). Bal Harbour Shops, 305-866-8166. Afrobeat sandals, Charline De Luca ($680). Saks Fifth Avenue, see above

On Jessica: Orchid print silk jacquard dress, Fendi ($2,650). Bal Harbour Shops, 9700 Collins Ave., 305-861-7114. Russian gold twist rope drop earrings ($150) and Aliah sandals ($1,090), Oscar de la Renta. Bal Harbour Shops, 305-868-7986. Milkyway bracelet, Lele Sadoughi ($285). Mayda Cisneros, 4102 Ponce De Leon Blvd., Coral Gables, 305-448-5848. On Lucas: Peak lapel tuxedo ($3,580), evening shirt ($790), and interlace Richelieu shoes ($1,350), Louis Vuitton. Miami Design District, 170 NE 40th St., 305-573-1366. Bow tie, Tom Ford ($250). Neiman Marcus, Village of Merrick Park, 358 San Lorenzo Ave., Coral Gables, 786-999-1000. On Gui: Smoking Soho tuxedo ($3,575) and evening shirt ($475), Giorgio Armani. Miami Design District, 174 NE 39th St., 786-501-7215. Greggo flat oxfords (in hand), Christian Louboutin ($945). Miami Design District, 155 NE 40th St., 305-576-6820

Bombshell dress, Nanette Lepore ($298). Bloomingdale’s, Aventura Mall, 19501 Biscayne Blvd., 305-792-1000. Metallic cuff, Alexis Bittar ($195). Nordstrom, Village of Merrick Park, 358 San Lorenzo Ave., Coral Gables, 786-999-1313. Riko mule orchid heels, Sophia Webster ($675). Nordstrom, see above

On Gui: Smoking Soho tuxedo ($3,575) and evening shirt ($475), Giorgio Armani. Miami Design District, 174 NE 39th St., 786-501-7215. Greggo flat oxfords (in hand), Christian Louboutin ($945). Miami Design District, 155 NE 40th St., 305-576-6820. On Lucas: Peak lapel tuxedo ($3,580), evening shirt ($790), and interlace Richelieu shoes ($1,350), Louis Vuitton. Miami Design District, 170 NE 40th St., 305-573-1366. Bow tie, Tom Ford ($250). Neiman Marcus, Village of Merrick Park, 358 San Lorenzo Ave., Coral Gables, 786-999-1000. On Jessica: Black crepe belted swimsuit, Michael Kors ($396). Bal Harbour Shops, 9700 Collins Ave., 305-864-4144. Postmodern cuff, Lizzie Fortunato ($205). Neiman Marcus, see above. Regina sandals, Charline De Luca ($750). Saks Fifth Avenue, Bal Harbour Shops, 305-865-1100

Amy dress, Tanya Taylor ($1,050). Saks Fifth Avenue, Bal Harbour Shops, 9700 Collins Ave., 305-865-1100. Arm band (worn as bracelet), Jennifer Fisher (price on request). Barneys New York, 832 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, 305-421-2010. Hercules sandals, Paul Andrew ($945). Capretto, 5822 Sunset Dr., South Miami, 305-661-7767

Sometime between all the untz-untz, crowd surfing, and after parties of Miami Music Week, the world's top DJs (and Diddy) found time for an impromptu kung fu sesh, some shoe shopping, and a minor boat accident (don't worry—no one was injured). Lucky for us, they all had time to snap a pic. Read on for the best DJ moments of 2015 MMW.

Martin Garrix Takes the Leap

 

A photo posted by Martin Garrix (@martingarrix) on Mar 29, 2015 at 8:52pm PDT

And the winner for best Ultra pic is... this fearless 18-year-old.

Laidback Luke Karate Chops

 

A photo posted by Laidback Luke (@laidbackluke) on Mar 25, 2015 at 8:40am PDT

In addition to being a superstar DJ, Laidback Luke also does kung fu, so between sets, he opted for a pop-up tai chi class on Ocean Drive.

Steve Aoki Ponders the Meaning of Life

What does Steve Aoki do before he talks to the press? Naturally, he climbs up on the roof of the Dim Mak house and goes into Buddha pose. Read our interview here >>

Skrillex Poses Over Miami

 

A photo posted by skrillex (@skrillex) on Mar 30, 2015 at 5:23pm PDT

We’re not sure what Skrillex is doing here, but after closing the Ultra main stage with Justin Bieber, Diddy, and Diplo, he can do whatever he wants—even if it’s a yoga pose on a window ledge.

Afrojack Really Loves Ultra

 

A photo posted by Nick (@afrojack) on Mar 30, 2015 at 10:11pm PDT

“Don’t believe me, just watch” is probably what Afrojack is thinking here.

Diddy Gets New Kicks

Diddy popped in the Red Bull Guest House to collect his exclusive Jordan’s from Public House. And get down, of course.

Cedric Gervais Works Out

 

A photo posted by Cedric Gervais (@cedricgervais) on Mar 27, 2015 at 2:52pm PDT

Admittedly an Anatomy at 1220 junkie, Cedric Gervais didn't skip his workout even during Miami Music Week. More of his favorite Miami spots here >>

Porter Robinson Makes Like a Cat

 

A photo posted by @porterrobinson on Mar 30, 2015 at 1:03pm PDT

Maybe this is a pre-show ritual, or maybe not. But Porter Robinson got one thing right: he took time to enjoy the Miami coastline.

Kaskade Runs With Thousands of Fans

 

A photo posted by @kaskade on Mar 27, 2015 at 2:15pm PDT

If there’s one thing that will motivate you to run a few miles, it’s keeping up with Kaskade—which is exactly what thousands of fans did down Ocean Drive.

Tiësto Crashes a Boat

 

A photo posted by Tiësto (@tiesto) on Mar 25, 2015 at 11:37am PDT

It’s not MMW unless one famous DJ (Tiësto) crashes a boat into another famous DJ's (David Guetta) dock.

Scott Conant’s Corsair seduces with rustic fare and flourishes of sophistication.

Short rib of beef “lasagna” with Taleggio fonduta and shaved black truffles is one of the hearty-yetrefined dishes served at Corsair.

The contoured fairways, rolling emerald greens, and lush tropical backdrop make Turnberry Isles’ Miller golf course one of the country’s prettiest. It is the 18th hole, however, that distinguishes Miller from any other: Scott Conant’s new Corsair restaurant is situated right alongside.

“Sitting down, looking out over the golf course—what a great place to be able to have brunch or afternoon cocktails,” says the affable, nationally heralded chef. The verdant vista is surely a boon to the Corsair customer, but seeing breakfast plates of poached eggs with brioche and truffled fonduta or polenta waffles with ripe berries being carried to the outdoor patio must tempt many a hungry golfer to hurry that final hole.

Conant looks at it from the opposite perspective: “Eventually I hope it will help me brush up my golf game,” he says with a laugh, perhaps realizing there will be little time for that. Not only is Corsair a three-meal establishment (“Being here sometimes at 5 am and leaving at midnight makes for a long day,” he notes), but Conant must also attend to Scarpetta in Miami Beach, as well as his multiple restaurant properties in New York and Las Vegas.

At Corsair, which debuted in December, Conant whips up American and Mediterranean farmhouse fare, and logically focuses on seasonal, locally sourced menu items. The cuisine may claim rustic roots, but it also displays an understated complexity and sophistication. “There’s a term in Italian that I always use called sprezzatura,” explains Conant, “which is the art of making the elegant look easy.” It isn’t so easy. For one thing, the food contains very little butter and no cream—“mostly olive oil, infusions, vinaigrettes, things like that.” So to achieve “a full extraction of flavor,” which is something of an obsession with Conant, intricate and labor-intensive preparations are required. For instance, he and his team braise veal cheeks in a broth extracted from dried porcini mushrooms, surround them with roasted vegetables, and top them with “a take on togarashi: crispy Parmesan cheese, herbs, and a little bit of Aleppo pepper.”

Chef Scott Conant.

Duck breasts, crisped in a pan and accompanied by chickpea panisse and pickled mustard seed reduction, are first soaked in hot, balsamic-boosted brine for three days and dried out, “so great texture and depth of flavor permeate it.” Octopus is gently simmered in olive oil “for an extended period of time” until it achieves a melting tenderness, then plated with mussels, clams, caper relish, and little spheres of sardinian fregola blackened in squid ink.

Desserts by pastry chef Michael Brock, who worked under the iconic François payard, likewise run the gamut from bucolic (brown sugar cake served home-style in a skillet) to opulent (Valrhona chocolate soufflé with coffee cardamom ice cream).

The “urbane farmhouse” theme gets visually reinforced throughout the 5,400-square-foot space by way of Meyer Davis studio design elements such as reclaimed woods, Moroccan floor tiles, rich tufted leather banquettes, an open kitchen clad in marble and subway tile, and a stylish bar featuring cocktails crafted by virtuoso mixologist Rob Floyd. “It resonates with the golfers, the guests and members, and with local people from the area who are coming in,” says Conant of the décor.

This is no small matter to the chef, who hasn’t hesitated changing menu items in response to clientele feedback. “The goal is always the same, and it’s simple: We’re just trying to make the customers happy. that’s it.”

He makes it seem so easy. 19999 W. Country Club Dr., Aventura, 786-279-6800

Soeuraya Wilson is leading the pack of renegade riders at SoulCycle’s new Coral Gables studio—the state’s first location.

SoulCycle instructor Soeuraya Wilson’s indoor-cycling classes combine cardio, free weights, and spiritual affirmations with a nightclub-like vibe.

Soeuraya Wilson remembers the exact date and time she discovered SoulCycle—Tuesday, March 15, at 10:30 am. “I’d heard of SoulCycle but was a little intimidated,” says Wilson, who first went to the indoor cycling studio at the encouragement of a friend, SoulCycle’s VP of talent, Halle Madia. “I went and took [instructor] Marvin Foster’s class and fell in love. I love the collaboration, the solidarity you gain from the room. Nobody really knows each other, but you’re still connected. It was a really beautiful experience.”

It’s that kind of “energy of the pack” fitness experience that has caused legions of indoor cycling enthusiasts—reportedly more than 10,000 each day—to form a devout allegiance to SoulCycle, which opened its first Florida location in the Village of Merrick Park in Coral Cables this year. (A second location is set to open in South Beach in late summer.) The calorie-torching workout, launched by Elizabeth Cutler and Julie Rice in 2006, has since spread to more than 30 studios in New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, DC. Fans like Kaley Cuoco, Bradley Cooper, Katie Holmes, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Lady Gaga regularly attend classes to “tap it back” to club-like tempos in candlelit studios.

Studying to be a dancer, Wilson gravitated to SoulCycle’s core-building choreography, which combines high-intensity cardio mixed with toning exercises using hand weights. “I always thought I would be an actor, I would be a performer. I never thought in a million years I would become a fitness instructor,” says Wilson, who joined SoulCycle’s instructor training program just six months after discovering the studio. “And then, here I am; I can’t really imagine life being anything else now.”

Wilson moved to Miami from New York to open SoulCycle’s Coral Gables location: a 52-bike studio, plus a lifestyle boutique. Instructors choreograph their own 45-minute indoor cycling programs using signature moves like “tap backs,” pushups on the handlebars, or oblique crunches. “Everybody here is into being fit—that’s definitely one thing I’ve noticed,” says Wilson of her adopted hometown. “Riders come to the studio and they already spin, but the solidarity and the community that SoulCycle brings is something different.”

Classes also include some level of body-positive affirmations, which is another reason fans have taken to SoulCycle with an almost cult-like enthusiasm. “I have myself had these ‘come-to-Jesus’ moments in classes before; you never think that a fitness class is going to bring you to that,” says Wilson, who leads several classes each day. “I always think about my first moments in Soul when I’m teaching and what I wanted and things that were said to me. We give affirmations during the class that help riders push themselves and give them that idea that it starts in that room, if you can just say yes to those little things in there, think about what you can say yes to in the bigger world.” Village of Merrick Park, 358 San Lorenzo Ave., Coral Gables, 305-740-3600

Ballet-inspired pieces take center stage this season.

Ethereal Extras
Dance-worthy wares create a freshly feminine feel for summer.

Jumpsuit ($5,290) and skirt ($4,500), Valentino. Miami Design District, 140 NE 39th St., 305-639-8851. Gem clutch, Rauwolf ($990). Barneys New York, 832 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, 305-421-2010. Kallie flats, Michael Kors ($550). Bal Harbour Shops, 9700 Collins Ave., 305-864-4144

Soft Sophistication
Delicate and dainty designs step into the spotlight.

Headdress, Jenny Packham ($347). Chic Parisien, 3308 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Coral Gables, 305-448-5756. Zoe envelope clutch, Max Mara ($425). Miami Design District, 106 NE 39th St., 305-770-6200. Mariposa flat, Alejandro Ingelmo ($625). Neiman Marcus, Bal Harbour Shops, 9700 Collins Ave., 305-865-6161

Poised Precision
Perfect pinks add a touch of playfulness to this season’s styles.

Patent pump, Brian Atwood ($855). Saks Fifth Avenue, Bal Harbour Shops, 305-865-1100. Crystal headdress, Jenny Packham ($733). Chic Parisien, SEE ABOVE. Specchio resin clutch, Judith Leiber Couture ($1,495). Saks Fifth Avenue, SEE ABOVE.

Curtain Call
Posh pirouettes take form from these summer staples.

Monili wallet, Brunello Cucinelli ($955). Bal Harbour Shops, 305-864-4833. Lana pump, Bionda Castana ($805). Intermix, 634 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, 305-531-5950. Comb, Jenny Packham ($376). Chic Parisien, SEE ABOVE

Raising the Barre
Softly elegant extras up the season’s ante.

Lyssa flat, Jimmy Choo ($795). Village of Merrick Park, 358 San Lorenzo Ave., Coral Gables, 305-443-6124. Crown Goa clutch, Oscar de la Renta ($2,250). Bal Harbour Shops, 305-868-7986. Tribal earrings, Dior (price on request). The Webster, 1220 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, 305-674-7899

As the keynote speaker at this month’s eMerge Americas conference, spiritual leader Deepak Chopra brings enlightenment and transformative methods to Miami.

The keynote speaker at this month’s eMerge Americas, Deepak Chopra’s latest book, The 13th Disciple: A Spiritual Adventure, is a novel about a chosen group who explore a shared sacred vision about the final days of Christ.

One of the most important new age thinkers of our time, Deepak Chopra is the author of more than 80 books. Living a life full of reflection and meditation and espousing a diet free of anything “manufactured or processed,” Chopra is a pioneer in the field of mind-body medicine, specifically overall well-being, and has won accolades from world leaders, 2.32 million Twitter followers, and yes, Oprah. Here, the founder of the Chopra Center for Wellbeing connects with Ocean Drive to talk technology, spirituality, environmental woes, and the future of humanity.

What are you going to speak about at the eMerge Americas conference?
I am going to focus on the future of well-being in several areas—career; purpose; social, physical, and emotional; spiritual; financial; and community, and specifically how all of that interfaces with technology and what the drivers are of change and behavior. How can we use technology and metrics and content and products and services to drive change in personal behavior, and ultimately, even social behavior?

You are able to merge the spiritual and technological worlds very well. Many people have a hard time with that.
Yes, because people confuse “spiritual” with “religion,” and when I talk about spirituality, I mean more than anything else the capacity for expanding awareness—awareness of who we are and awareness of the universe. There are only two things we can be sure of—one is that there is existence, and second, there is awareness of existence. The rest is a story.

You speak so much on life purpose. What’s your own life purpose?
Life purpose is achieved when your job, career, and higher calling are in alignment with each other. Mine would be summed up in one word: healing.

How many times a day do you meditate?
I meditate for two hours in the early morning from 4 am to 6 am, and then 15 minutes to 20 minutes in the afternoon at about 4 o’clock.

If more people began to meditate, would world peace be possible?
I think yes, but I doubt a critical mass of people who would explore unconsciousness would make a difference. We basically ruined the planet in more ways than one. It’s not just “let me change.” It is the destruction of the ecosystem, it’s all the weapons for mechanized deaths; it is still very primitive, barbaric thinking. So if we were to really look at the situation soberly, it would definitely [lead to] the conclusion that we are an insane asylum and that the human experiment may have failed. And it is okay. Nature knows how to take care of herself, so it might decide that the human species was not a good idea and it might move on to something else. In the meanwhile, we do what we do.

Why do you think now more than ever people are turning to meditation or spirituality?
Because they are looking for meaning and purpose. They are looking for happiness, they are looking for deeper understanding of their own selves, and they do find that fame and fortune do not get you there.

With regard to the environment, Miami is ground zero in the US for rising seawaters and climate change.
It is important that we do something. It is like our house is burning and we [continue] as normal. Already the technologies exist for tackling climate change—from simple things like planting more trees in the world to using alternative fuels and even technologies that harness the power of gravity from the ocean waves. But we are not paying much attention to it.

Do you have any worries about technology?
We can’t stop technology—it is part of our evolution—and we’ll have to adapt to it and also, as we move along, I think technology will become safer. The only danger is that we don’t allow technology to use us; we should be using technology. Either you adapt or you become extinct.

To celebrate the recent release of IWC's Portofino Midsize collection, supermodel and friend of the brand Karolina Kurkova shares her insights on life, time, and living in Miami.

Karolina Kurkova’s watch of choice is the IWC Portofino Midsize Moon Phase Automatic.

Karolina Kurkova is one of the world’s most successful fashion models, most widely known for her work with Victoria’s Secret, Bottega Veneta, and Rag & Bone. In recent years, Kurkova has expanded her résumé to acting, including appearances on 30 Rock and Person of Interest; humanitarian work with several nonprofit organizations such as God’s Love We Deliver and Born Free Africa; and motherhood. In 2012, the Czech native formed a working relationship with the IWC Schaffhausen watch brand while flaunting the timepieces on the red carpet and in print advertisements. A Miami resident for the past two years, Kurkova talks about her growing watch collection, balancing family and career, and finding time for herself.

The IWC watch with self-winding mechanical movement that offers moon-phase display, central seconds, and 42 hours of power reserve. The 37mm timepiece is crafted in 18k white gold and set with diamonds, and is water resistant to 3 bar.

What motivates you to represent a brand?
I am always interested when I work with brands to understand their background. If it is something you put on your body, of course it has to be your taste and your style, but even more important is to learn about the people behind it.

Did you collect watches before you got involved with IWC? And what do you think of them now? 
I had a few watches but wasn’t a big collector. Now I have watches from all of their collections and I enjoy wearing them. I do like a bigger watch, something substantial and tougher; I’m not a girlie girl, but it is nice with the Portofino Midsize to have the option of being more feminine or delicate. You have to appreciate a watch for what it represents—a classic, timeless accessory that helps us guide our lives.

How does time play a role in your life?
Time is important—and it is very precious. I feel this especially having a child and a family, and becoming older. With these things, you start to look at time in a very different way. You are always examining how you spend [it] because a day is really only 12 [waking] hours and so you have to make the best of it and be sure you are using it correctly.

What prompted your move to Miami?
[My husband, Archie Drury, and I] have a 5 year old, and we started spending more time here when he was 3. [My son, Tobin,] has a lot of energy, and we wanted him to be able to spend time outdoors, so Miami was perfect. Of course, he also travels the world with us on business and when I go back to the Czech Republic to visit family.

Tell us what you love most about Miami.
The lifestyle, the weather, being close to the ocean, and being able to spend so much time outside. It is also nice to see all the amazing architects coming here, building museums and hotels. Miami is the place where people want to come to create their next invention because it still has room to grow; there is space. It will be interesting to see what Miami will become in 20 years. Miami Design District, 140 NE 39th St., 305-507-7488

The legendary Roberta Flack headlines an exclusive engagement at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts.

Roberta Flack will perform many of her greatest hits as well as songs from her 2012 album Let It Be Roberta at Fort Lauderdale’s Broward Center for the Performing Arts on April 24.

Roberta Flack’s father located a piano for his young daughter in an unlikely place. And it was in questionable condition. “My father got my first piano from a junkyard,” Flack, who will perform at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale on April 24, tells Ocean Drive. “It was green and smelled of rodents. He got it fixed up, and I played the heck out of it!”

Now 76, the vocalist will present an evening of songs, including several tunes from her most recent release, a 2012 assemblage of Beatles covers called Let It Be Roberta.

Flack’s extraordinary career began early when she was recognized for her pianistic and vocal talent in suburban Washington, DC, where she enrolled in the historically black Howard University at age 15, graduating at 19 with a music education degree. While teaching at area junior high schools, Flack performed at a Washington club called Mr. Henry’s, where she built a strong local reputation that led to a deal with Atlantic Records.

The singer came to fame in 1971 when her recording of Ewan MacColl’s “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” was added to the soundtrack of Clint Eastwood’s film Play Misty for Me. The following year, a collaboration with singer Donny Hathaway, “Where Is the Love,” won a Grammy along with “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face”; the next year, she recorded the track “Killing Me Softly With His Song,” which cleaned up at the 1974 Grammys. “A song touches me because it speaks of a part of my life, a feeling I’ve had, an experience I know, or a story that I feel needs to be told,” Flack explains. “‘The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face’ has been about relationships I’ve had, pets I’ve had, people I’ve known, babies who are now grown up.”

Other big hits followed, including “Feel Like Makin’ Love,” “The Closer I Get to You,” and “Tonight, I Celebrate My Love.” Yet, with all her great songs, Flack’s most lasting legacy may be the Roberta Flack School of Music at Hyde Leadership Charter School in the Bronx. “I believe that every child has the right to have music as an integral part of their education,” she says. “It’s documented that music augments learning, and music and math are integrally related. Government cutbacks eliminated music from many schools and I founded the [school] to help children have music in their lives.”

Flack says she’s planning to continue recording and touring, and sees music as a universal healer. “When we can see each other for who we are as people—without race, religion, gender, sexuality—like John [Lennon] said, ‘Can you imagine?’” she says. “Through music, I have been able to communicate to people all over the world. When they don’t speak English, they understand the language of love as told through music.” Roberta Flack performs April 24 at the Au-Rene Theater at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW Fifth Ave., Fort Lauderdale, 954-462-0222

Miami developers are taking the lead in eco-friendly construction.

The pool deck at 1 Hotel & Homes South Beach. The LEED-certified hotel includes in-room amenities like shower timers and digital newspapers, an organic restaurant concept, and self-sustainable gardens, as well as electric Tesla vehicles for quick complimentary rides.

Rising sea levels around South Florida are probably the most important issue facing our megalopolis right now. To counter the deluge— literally and metaphorically speaking—and to respond to consumers’ demand for environmentally sensitive enterprises, developers are employing smart, new construction methods in big and small ways, from innovative HVAC systems to passive cooling methods and various ways of reusing water. Miami Beach is even beginning to elevate its streets. Of course, the green initiatives happening so far only represent a drop in the bucket of what is really needed to save South Florida.

A sign of things to come starts with the oceanfront 1 Hotel & Homes South Beach. Originally built in 1969, in an era of air-conditioned boxes and cheap fossil fuels, the former Roney Palace has been radically retrofitted to become a sustainable, LEED-certified project for living, and vacationing. Guest rooms feature ecologically responsible amenities such as low-environmental-impact irons and hair dryers, a shower timer, organic bath products and linens, and digital newspapers “delivered to your in-room device daily.” An on-site plant lab provides terrariums for each guest room, while the building’s restaurant Beachcraft from famed chef Tom Colicchio will serve seasonal, organic fare. Need a lift? Access to a fleet of electric Tesla vehicles for quick complimentary rides will be available. Another feature is a block-long vertical garden that canvases the hotel’s entry and is made of indigenous plants like various ferns, philodendrons, liriope, Asparagus densiflorus, jasmine, and zoysia grass. The garden will be “self-sustaining through its own inherent irrigation system,” meaning contained and reused rainwater.

RELATED: How Miami Beach is fighting climate change >>

Gunning for LEED platinum status, the Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science, under construction in Museum Park, has plans to incorporate sustainability into seemingly every aspect of its design and construction. As the museum’s construction blog proudly declares, when the Frost opens in 2016, it will be “designed to be one giant exhibit, and this includes the stories of the science and technology involved in its construction,” essentially encompassing every aspect of its architectural design. The building’s orientation on its site will capture prevailing winds off of Biscayne Bay, cooling outdoor programming areas (they’ll employ fans on less windy days). Cisterns the size of buses will retain and reuse massive amounts of rainwater throughout the museum. Road runoff will feed into an outdoor wetlands exhibit that will also filter the water as it reenters the ground. A rooftop solar farm, with photovoltaic panels donated by Florida Power & Light, will complement the museum’s extensive green roof and provide renewable power. Inside, a dance floor will generate a portion (albeit small) of the museum’s electricity needs by capturing the energy of people dancing.

A rendering of the Living Core Aquarium Mezzanine at the Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science.

Other South Florida developers are implementing a variety of technological systems to up their sustainability game. The McKafka Group’s Crimson building in Edgewater and Lionheart Capital’s Ritz-Carlton Residences in Miami Beach’s Nautilus neighborhood both utilize Variable Refrigerant Flow, a Japanese climate control system that uses refrigerant to cool air and adjusts the flow to give greater control over interior temperature. Additionally, Nest thermostats, which automatically learn the temperature habits of a home’s occupants, have become more common than ever in new projects, including the Aria Development Group’s 321 Ocean.

Some of Miami’s greatest green planning comes from doing more with less and designing buildings in such a way that they are inherently more sustainable, even when the power is off. Currently under construction, Brickell City Centre’s much vaunted “climate ribbon,” designed to cool shoppers en plein air, could possibly be the largest passive shading and ventilation device in the country, according to the Miami Herald. When the first phase of the megaproject is completed next year, the highly engineered $30 million canopy, designed by Paris-based Hugh Dutton Associés, collaborating with Carnegie-Mellon and Cardiff Universities, will cool shoppers strolling through the center’s outdoor mall by channeling the breeze off Biscayne Bay at a continuous six knots. Computer models were used to predict hot spots at various times of the year, which the canopy’s louvers were then precisely angled to prevent. The ribbon will also angle up in areas to let warm air escape, thereby sucking more cool air in. The overall project, of which the ribbon is the headlining green amenity, is designed for LEED certification for neighborhood development, as well as LEED gold for some of the towers.

These efforts are part of the ingenuity and problem- solving we badly need on a crowded planet, but they won’t slow Miami’s waters from rising. That’s why the City of Miami Beach has begun to raise itself up along with the tides. West Avenue, which city engineer Bruce Mowry has called “ground zero” for the effects of rising sea levels, is being built up itself between one and a half to two feet. “I’m not going to stop sea-level rise,” he says. “But we are here to try and mitigate.” This sums up Miami’s path in the new climactic realities: We can’t stop them, but with gradual steps, perhaps the future can be mitigated.

A slew of green, vegan, and organic companies provide locally grown and packaged clean foods to Miami and beyond.

From left: Endlessly Organic’s Cheryl Arnold, Arden Karson, and Lindsay Scherr Burgess at Surfside Urban Gardeners Community Garden.

Take a stroll along the sandy beaches of South Florida or the catwalks of the Design District and Lincoln Road, and you’ll see gorgeous bodies and perfectly groomed faces. But no less important than what’s on the outside is what’s on the inside. As American consumers devour organic products (sales in the United States jumped to $35.1 billion in 2013, according to the Organic Trade Association), nowhere is that more evident than in Miami, where the fruits, vegetables, grains, and overall clean-eating trend has become all the rage. And a number of local companies have popped up to meet the demand.

Surfside-based organic buying club Endlessly Organic lets members bring home the harvest with boxes of 100 percent USDA-certified organic produce, ready for pickup at more than 80 locations from Palm Beach Gardens to Cutler Bay. Helmed by Cheryl Arnold, Lindsay Scherr Burgess, and Arden Karson, the company has a simple mission: to bring color to your kitchen, to make it as convenient as possible, and to build community in the process.

Every other week, members take home a box geared to one of five themes—Mixed, Juicer’s, Fruit Lover’s, Very Veggie, or Paleo—brimming with goodies such as crisp kale, jewel-toned beets, sun-ripened berries, and other seasonal staples that are locally sourced wherever possible, and free of pesticides, GMOs, and radiation. While the ingredients themselves are simple, each box comes with access to recipes, storage tips, educational videos, and cooking classes for “organic produce virgins.” When the team finalize their home delivery service, you’ll be able to have garden goods delivered straight to your doorstep.

RELATED: Delicious vegan eats even meat lovers will want >>

Ginnybakes provides gluten-free treats, created by holistic nutritionist Ginny Simon.

When it comes to healthy living, Ginny Simon, founder of Miami-based Ginnybakes (305-638-5103), insists you can have your cake (and cookies, muffins, and bars) and eat it, too. A certified holistic nutritionist and health coach, Simon mixed her passions for baking and education by creating DIY bake mixes for clients with celiac disease. The demand for her health-conscious confections became so great that she developed a line of bake-at-home products for commercial sale, and ultimately launched a full-blown industrial kitchen in 2011. “I don’t think anyone should have to sacrifice taste for health,” says Simon. “We add flavor with whole foods like coconut and raisins, or high-antioxidant organic chocolate. If you’re going to indulge, let it be on something that’s mindful and tastes great.”

Today, Simon offers fresh-baked cookies, brownies, biscotti, bars, and bake mixes that are gluten-free, organic, non-GMO, vegan, paleo, and kosher. She owes her success entirely, she says, to her hometown of Miami. “I think South Florida is a bit like California in that it’s a little more cutting edge, a little more aware. And with Miami being a coastal city, it’s been positioned at the forefront of the clean, locally sourced movement.”

Mariana Cortez’s bite-size Bunnie Cakes cupcakes cater to those with common food allergies.

Bunnie Cakes (2322 NE Second Ave., Miami, 786- 268-9790) is another homegrown success story, this one born out of necessity. Founder Mariana Cortez’s son needed a dairy-and gluten free birthday cake, but no local bakers had any. So Cortez took matters into her own kitchen, modifying her grandmother’s cake recipes to cook up delicious treats free of common allergens. Now, her kitschy Wynwood storefront sells her bite-size cupcakes, cookies, brownies, doughnuts, cakes, and even items like empanadas and cacao chia pudding, which she makes without soy, gluten, or peanuts. “Our most popular flavors are guava, passion fruit, and dulce no leche,” Cortez says. “These are flavors I grew up with; each of them takes me to my infancy. I just adapted them to make them vegan and vegan gluten-free so everyone can enjoy them.”

It’s more proof of an evolving palate in the South Florida region, where preservatives, fillers, and artificial flavors are disappearing while innovative ideas, natural foods, and forward thinking are driving a new wave of culinary entrepreneurship. “You never see a wild animal that’s out of shape,” says Scott Joseph, whose four flavors of the Hollywood-based Chimp Food are available at more than 50 health food stores and green markets across South Florida. “And because our DNA is 99 percent the same as a chimp’s, it hit me that eating whole, raw fruits and vegetables is the way to go.”

When Joseph says whole, he means it: Each 16-ounce bottle of Chimp Food contains 25 veggies, fruits, berries, nuts, and seeds that are blended whole—peel, stems, and all—so your body can absorb the extra vitamins and minerals that would typically be thrown away.

Miami-based Velu is a tasty shot of healthy wheatgrass.

Wheatgrass, high in concentrations of vitamin C, vitamin E, iron, calcium, and other nutrients, is another diet staple of healthy eaters, and Jason Magrisso has developed a company to make sating that need in Miami more convenient than ever. Magrisso is the owner of premium wheatgrass beverage Velu. Derived from the Spanish words ver luz, meaning “see the light,” Velu combines two shots of organic wheatgrass with apple and lemon juice to provide a flavorful immunity boost without the bitter aftertaste that sometimes comes with shooting the green stuff straight.

“We live in a society that’s constantly moving and need a healthy beverage we can grab on our way out the door,” says Magrisso of Velu, which is stocked at about 40 stores throughout Florida and will be rolling out mango and peach flavors within the next year. “Velu is packed with vitamins A, B, C, and K, and it’s also high in chlorophyll, which cleanses and builds the blood. Plus, it tastes delicious, kind of like a cross between green tea and plum juice.”

These five behind-the-scenes players help make this town tick, delivering everything from courtside seats and souped-up sports cars to investor funds or permits for billion-dollar projects.

Speed Racer
John Temerian, Founder, Lou La Vie

Lou La Vie founder John Temerian behind the wheel of his 700-horsepower Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4, in front of The James Royal Palm.

As founder of exotic car rental company Lou La Vie, John Temerian is living life in the fast lane, providing the world’s elite with the ride of a lifetime, right here in Miami. Justin Bieber’s notorious January 2014 Lamborghini joyride? Thank Lou La Vie. Rick Ross, Jason Derulo, The Game, Ace Hood, and Deadmau5 are all clients. If you want to cruise around town in a $500K Lamborghini or one-of-a-kind Ferrari, Temerian holds the keys.

Who are you hooking up with exotic rides?
CEOs, entrepreneurs, celebrities, and icons have come into our showroom; by building on the relationships of my family, friends, and colleagues, I have been able to amass an amazing Rolodex of who’s who.

What mix of personality versus business savvy does it take to do your job?
My passion is the main reason why i have been able to achieve my greatest goals. First and foremost, I am a car nerd. I have an encyclopedia-like knowledge of post-war European sports cars, and I love meeting new people.

What’s a typical workday like for you?
I am on the phone from 9 am to 6 pm, buying and selling Lou La Vie fleet vehicles, planning events, marketing campaigns, or networking. In between machine-gun like text messaging and conference calls, I try to get behind the wheel of our cars. I find that the quality, maintenance, and condition of our fleet vehicles are so important. Having grown up working on cars, I like to check everything myself.

What’s a “connection” you’ve made recently that you’re most proud of?
Our partnership with Formula One driver Felipe Massa and our association with [Italian car design firm] Pininfarina have been two of the most exciting connections I have made.

What’s the craziest thing someone has asked for?
We imported the last production Ferrari Enzo [only 400 were ever made] in the world from Milan last year. Clients and friends ask [us] about everything from nightclubs, hotels, investments, watches...it is really quite amazing. 1444 Biscayne Blvd., Ste. 113, Miami, 305-974-1914

Legal Eagle
Alfredo J. Gonzalez, Shareholder, Greenberg Traurig

Alfredo Gonzalez at The James Royal Palm, one of the many properties in Miami he’s had a hand in shaping.

Land development and government lawyer Alfredo J. Gonzalez is the go-to guy in Miami when developers are building a new hotel or residential community. The permits, the boards, the neighbors—he deals with them all. A master of navigating Miami real estate regulations, he’s wined and dined by some of the most important players in town, often brokering that all-important compromise.

Your job starts from a project’s very beginning, but never really ends.
While a lot of my work is on the front end, getting the project approved and guiding them through permitting issues during construction, once they open I’m still involved in getting special permits or dealing with overcrowding or noise issues. [Before] the Thompson Hotel could open, I took them through their conditional use permit, and we were able to [open] Seagrape, the secondary restaurant, their outdoor pool venue, the [1930s House] bar, and their inside club. On all those components, we have to work with the board to get the authority to have the venues.

Does that make this an around-the-clock job?
You have to become accessible. The problems don’t occur Monday though Friday during business hours. One time, under the former owners of The Raleigh hotel, the general manager called me at home on a Sunday, back when they had a lot of problems with noise violations, and said, “I need you to come to the hotel tonight.” I ended up spending part of the evening down there to make sure [that] if code compliance showed, they wouldn’t be in violation.

What’s a “connection” you’ve made recently that you’re most proud of?
The projects that continue to evolve Miami Beach into a world-class city, including the Thompson Hotel, One Ocean, The James Royal Palm, and the ongoing redevelopment of the iconic Shore Club. One I am particularly proud of is 321 Ocean, a project by renowned architect Enrique Norten. The former hotel on the site consistently had the most annual calls to the police, and today the location, almost completed, is a world-class condominium.

It sounds like a rewarding job.
To take a blighted site and watch it become one of our crown jewels of Miami Beach after dealing with the city, the neighbors, the boards, the structural realities, it’s the type of law practice that does give you a lot of satisfaction because you see the impact that you’re having. I get to admire all the connections I have helped facilitate as I drive throughout Miami Beach. 333 SE Second Ave., Ste. 4400, Miami, 305-579-0500

Your Best Friend
Jimmy Vagras, Vice President of Marketing, MMG-SFX Nightlife

Jimmy Vargas shot on location at LIV.

As part of the elite company that operates LIV at the Fontainebleau and Sun Life Stadium, as well as Story, Jimmy Vargas can get you beyond the velvet ropes, but his connections are what make the brand the best in the business. Tables at his venues (depending on the night) can go for anywhere from $10,000 to $100,000, and while there’s probably no such access that money can’t buy, it’s always good to know Jimmy.

Beyond throwing some of the world’s best parties, how do you market your nightclubs on a global scale?
The best way to reach a global audience is through the Internet and social media marketing. We put a lot of emphasis on creating unique content, such as our ESPN spoof of the LIV headquarters, which brings the DJ out of his element with a scripted video piece. We had Michael Bay work on a promo for Cedric Gervais, which definitely had people talking.

And you’ve used the power of the LIV name at events around the country?
Bigger festivals and calendar events, like All-Star weekend and the Super Bowl, where the brand makes the most sense, that’s where we’ll be. Recently the producers of TomorrowWorld were looking for the right team to run their VIP Skylofts, so we packed our bags and hit the road to Atlanta. We re-created the LIV experience in the hills of Chattahoochee where we had VIPs helicoptered in and transported in custom LIV golf carts to the best seat in the house.

What’s the craziest thing someone has asked for?
Things happen every day around here, but an old memory that stands out was when we were asked to help pull off Joaquin Phoenix’s debut performance as a hip-hop artist. It turned into quite a spectacle with him vomiting before he went onstage and then jumping into the crowd to fight with a heckler. We pulled off the performance, but I haven’t seen him at LIV on Sunday, so maybe his hip-hop cred never took off.

What makes Miami the perfect city for your job?
Miami is a gateway for so many cities in the world; then, once you’re here, the mindset is very much about having a good time and letting loose. What people don’t realize, though, is all the work that it takes during the day to make the night fun. But we have a strong team that are amazing at what they do, so I just make sure all the pieces fit the puzzle. 305-534-7101

Front Row Ticket
Chantel Christopher, CEO, Flip Flop Management

Chantel Christopher taking a call at LIV.

Need playoff tickets? How about a star running back to attend your charity event? As the CEO of Flip Flop Management, Chantel Christopher’s list of VIP contacts in the sports and entertainment world reads like an all-star team, making her the go-to person in town for connecting athletes and entertainers with marketing, promotional, and charity opportunities. Look closely at the person standing next to some of Miami’s premier talents—it’s probably Chantel.

You’ve worked with everyone from Heat star Dwyane Wade and actress Gabrielle Union to retired NFL stars Jim Brown and Marshall Faulk. What type of personality does it take to do your job?
People want to deal with someone who is cool and who understands who they are and their needs, but they also need someone who is business savvy to get things done.

What’s the difference between working with athletes and entertainers?
Athletes are hungrier; they’re not asking for the dollar sign first—they’re trying to get their name out there. If they need to do an appearance for 45 minutes for $1,500, they’ll do it because their face is going to be out there. An entertainer will be like, “Forty five minutes? That will be $10,000.”

Why is Miami good for business?
When I got here, I started working with Drama Sports. They dealt with nearly every athlete who came through Miami, and I realized this was the sports hub. I fell in love with the city—the weather, the people—and it made it easy for work. When I was doing a football camp or a charity golf tournament, it was just easy to get the athletes here. No one turns down coming to Miami.

What’s a “connection” you’ve made recently that you are most proud of?
Recently a friend of mine built a gym in Midtown, and he was looking for someone who does graffiti art. I told him to go look at a friend’s Instagram, and he hit me right back and said, “Can you get him?” Long story short, I connected them and they made magic happen.

What’s the craziest thing someone has asked for?
One of my clients wanted a zebra and monkeys at their event.

Did they get what they wanted?
Why, yes, they did.

The Game Changer
Leslie Wolfson, CEO, Connect The Dots

Leslie Wolfson shot on location at The James Royal Palm.

A Miami native, Leslie Wolfson has been connecting people for more than 20 years—first in fashion and retail, then in publishing, and now with her business development and strategic partnerships company Connect The Dots, where she’s making things happen for lifestyle, technology, and real estate companies on a national scale. Part consultant, part adviser, full-time team player and partner, Wolfson is currently advising everyone from burgeoning tech giants Rokk3r Labs to hot products like the Miami Cocktail Company.

What’s a typical workday like for you?
I have never had a typical day, whether [it’s] a conference call with a real estate investor in the Middle East or working on creating strategic partnerships for University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center or helping someone get a table at Prime 112.

You spent time in New York but moved back to Miami in 2012 to start your company—why?
It was just a natural progression for me to be here. I never would have pulled off what I pulled off so quickly if I had stayed in New York. I came back to Miami, and I had five clients within a month. I was doing everything nontraditionally, which is how I built my career. I didn’t have a business plan, and I just took everything that felt right and only with people I liked.

What’s a “connection” you’ve made recently that you are most proud of?
I attended a conference in Dublin with my client Realconnex.com and received a call from Google asking us to come present the platform to their marketing team to be included in an amazing opportunity that only 40 companies a year are chosen for. From the initial phone call to being in Google’s inspirational offices presenting to their team, I will always remember this connection.

What’s the craziest thing someone has asked for?
A friend at Elle Decor called me in a panic because their Modern Life Concept House location for Art Basel 2013 fell through four months before the opening and she needed a perfect location—fast. I found them a $16.5 million house on Sunset Islands in 24 hours, and it ended up being the most successful show house Elle Decor had on record. The Wynwood Building, 2750 NW Third Ave., Ste. 14, Miami

Siena Tavern chef Fabio Viviani has as much style outside of the kitchen as in it.

Fabio Viviani at Siena Tavern.

With his trademark scruff and gleaming white smile, former Top Chef Fabio Viviani looks every bit the part of the Italian bad boy. And, like any Toscano worth his leather (Viviani hails from Florence), he is as exacting with his wardrobe as he is with his cuisine. While Viviani is often working the burners at his newest restaurant, Siena Tavern (404 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, 305-534-5577) in the South of Fifth neighborhood, his “ready for primetime” look fits in for nights on the town in Miami.

RELATED: Why Siena Tavern is one of our favorite brunch spots>>

Viviani’s most go-to brand is Billionaire (Miami Design District, 4000 NE Second Ave.) for everything from suits to belts. “If you dress in Billionaire, you feel like a billionaire. It’s very comfortable, and it’s good stuff,” he says. “I go there when I want something special that will look great on me.”

It comes as no surprise that he also favors Italian designer Corneliani (Saks Fifth Avenue, Bal Harbour Shops, 9700 Collins Ave., 305-865-1100). “I have a few custom made,” he says of the brand’s suits. “Being European, I’m used to a more fitted kind of clothing. And, especially with my wife being a personal stylist, I live in a personal hell if I’m not always dressed to the point,” he says of fiancée Ashley Jung, whom he spoils with gifts from Agent Provocateur (Bal Harbour Shops, 305-865-3909) and La Perla (Bal Harbour Shops, 305-864-3173). “On women’s underwear, I’m spending a fortune for my wife!”

The Billionaire store in the Design District. “It’s comfortable, and it’s good stuff,” he says of his go-to brand.

For himself, Viviani loves a well-cut T-shirt and finds that the H&M (541 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach, 855-466-7467) variety fits well without breaking the bank. And while loungewear isn’t exactly a category that this busy chef has time for, he does enjoy workout gear from Nike (Dolphin Mall, 11401 NW 12th St., Miami, 305-716-8760) and Under Armour (Central Sporting Goods, 3803 NW Seventh St., Miami, 305-541-1206), especially because the latter is slim-fit. “It’s not the ’80s anymore; you can’t wear an XL T-shirt with the sleeves cut off,” he offers.

When not pounding the pavement in his Converse sneakers, the chef swears by supple leather shoes from Harris (Barneys New York, 832 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, 305-421-2010) when he needs to “dress to impress.” As a final touch, Viviani never leaves home without a spritz of his favorite cologne. Currently, he’s wearing Creed (Neiman Marcus, Bal Harbour Shops, 305-865-6161), switching between the Aventus and Millesime scents. “Cologne is another problem I have,” he chuckles. “I bathe in it, really.”

As the market continues to grow, buyers in the $10 million-plus price range have increasingly more options in the Magic City.

Peter Fine and Louis Birdman at the sales office for 1000 Museum, designed by the famed architect Zaha Hadid and developed by Birdman.

Louis Birdman, developer of famed Zaha Hadid building 1000 Museum, and Peter Fine, cofounder of To Better Days Development, a New York firm building single-family homes along the celebrity-heavy North Bay Road, discuss the big ticket items on the Magic City market and reveal what makes a high-end buyer close.

LOUIS BIRDMAN: We noticed a [buyer] trend where they were looking for larger properties. They don’t always want a home, but because they couldn’t find large units in a lot of the buildings that were built, other than the specialty units (a penthouse or a big duplex), very often they’d end up buying homes. In downtown, when the market started to pick up again, we noticed that the larger units in sought-after buildings were bringing premiums over the smaller units, which is counterintuitive to how things have traditionally been in Miami. When we saw that trend and noticed that the inventory of units over 3,000 square feet, especially in the downtown market, was pretty thin and they were trading at a premium, we thought it was a good opportunity to introduce a really luxury building with a limited number of units and make them all large so there also wouldn’t be a disparity in size and price of the units.

PETER FINE: Sometimes it might be the same buyer who looks at the kind of units that you are building and the homes that we’re building. 

LB: [Those] buyers come in all the time. I sold a whole floor unit to a buyer out of Lebanon, and he was here in Miami looking at a house in that $10 to $15 million range. It’s about what fits their lifestyle.

PF: What we’re trying to bring to the market is a higher-quality product. That’s the niche for us. We have four houses that are all between 10,000 and 15,000 square feet—two are on North Bay Road, 6440 and 6010. One is about a 14,000-square-foot house; one’s about an 11,000-square-foot house. They’re all on the water. We’re going to get at least $2,000, if not north of $2,000 [per square foot].

6010 North Bay Road, shown from the front and back.

LB: When you start pushing $10, $15, $20 million, buyers are not necessarily looking at what they’re paying on a price per square foot. They look more at what they’re getting, and that absolute price that they’re comfortable with.

PF: We’re cost-conscious, but one of our design motifs is we’re trying to build new houses that feel like they’ve been lived in. We’re trying to combine the best elements of traditional Mediterranean-style architecture and modern.

LB: As a luxury condominium product, what really separates us from everything else is the design. Having Zaha Hadid design this project makes it extra unique. Our model for our building was to have very similar units in terms of size and price range, and to not be competing with other condominium buildings per se, but competing with the type of product that you’re building. Our smallest unit is 4,600 feet: four bedrooms, five and a half baths. Our largest typical unit is 10,000 square feet. In between that, we have a small number of duplex units that are 8,000 square feet, and then we have one large unit that’s around 16,000 square feet. The idea was to create these real residence-size condominiums. Instead of spreading them out on the land, we’re stacking them up. 1000 Museum Sales Gallery, 1040 Biscayne Blvd., Fifth Fl., Miami, 855-663-6873; To Better Days Development, Llc, 183 Madison Ave., Ste. 1601, NYC, 212-382- 2575

Stand out at Miami's hot spots with these equally smoking dresses.

M Missoni Tank Dress to the Pool at the Thompson Hotel

Striped Tank Dress, M Missoni ($595). Neiman Marcus, Bal Harbour Shops, 305-865-6161

A turquoise knit dress complements the subtropical and sultry atmosphere—as well as the bright yellow lounge chairs—around the Thompson Miami Beach’s pool.

RELATED: Who designed Thompson Miami Beach?

Love Shack Fancy Feather-Print Dress to 27

Ruffle Racer Mini Dress, Love Shack Fancy ($365). loveshackfancy.com

Throw on this hand-dyed dress before heading to the Freehand's restaurant for bites like whipped house-made ricotta served with tomatoes from the garden, and stop over for a cocktail or two at The Broken Shaker.

DSquared2 Jacquard Dress to The Miami Beach Edition

Sleeveless Jacquard Dress, DSquared2 ($895). Intermix, Bal Harbour Shops, 305-993-1232

Stand out among all the white and soft neutrals in the lobby of The Edition with a red geometric column dress.

Victoria Beckham Crepe Dress to La Mar at the Mandarin Oriental

Crepe Dress, Victoria Beckham ($2,470). mytheresa.com

Complement the modern, white furniture on the scenic patio at Peruvian restaurant La Mar with this sleek and bold silhouette in one of spring’s hottest colors.

Dolce & Gabbana Poplin Dress to Bal Harbour Shops

Polka-Dot Cotton Poplin Mini Dress, Dolce & Gabbana ($1,695).net-a-porter.com

Match the easy, understated luxury of Bal Harbour Shops in this fun retro number from Dolce & Gabbana, a South Florida staple.

Brunello Cucinelli Feather Dress to Ball & Chain

Sleeveless Feather Dress, Brunello Cucinelli ($5,350). Neiman Marcus, Bal Harbour Shops, 305-865-6161

Get into the spirit and the era of Little Havana throwback joint Ball & Chain with this flirty frock.

Marissa Web Silk Dress to Wynwood

Silk Ali Dress, Marissa Web ($698). Barneys New York, 832 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, 305-421-2010

Art imitates fashion—or is it the other way around? This playful, clean-lined Marissa Webb dress, coupled with a trip to the Wynwood Arts District, will inspire anyone you meet.

Versace One-Shoulder Dress to E11even

One-Shoulder Colorblock Zig-Zag Dress, Versace ($2,475). Neiman Marcus, Bal Harbour Shops, 305-866-6161

Hot clubs require even hotter dress codes—and we think Versace and E11even are the perfect pairing for a sexy Miami night out.

Talk of a public walkway along Biscayne Bay, connecting areas such as Museum Park and Edgewater, is picking up momentum. Ocean Drive sat down with some of the players who just might make it happen.

For a city with miles and miles of stunning bay shoreline, Miami has a dearth of public waterfront parks. That may soon change. The University of Miami School of Architecture created an 84-page study, “On the Waterfront,” which ambitiously envisions a walkway called the Biscayne Line running seven miles along the western shores of Biscayne Bay, from the Julia Tuttle to the Rickenbacker Causeway, and another five along the Miami River. The path would connect existing public areas, and jut around private land via piers, or inland sidewalks.

The three-mile stretch of Edgewater seems to be garnering the most attention right now, due in part to the involvement of heavy hitters such as property developer The Related Group. Ocean Drive sat down to talk with three key players in the project—Carlos Rosso of The Related Group, District Two City Commissioner Marc Sarnoff, and architect Bernardo Fort-Brescia of the firm Arquitectonica—to better understand the project’s development, goals, and chances of coming to fruition.

Why is the Edgewater section of the Biscayne Line getting your attention?
BERNARDO FORT-BRESCIA: The Edgewater section is big because it connects the northern neighborhoods to downtown. This finally provides a place for bikers, joggers, people walking, to link a neighborhood in Miami with amazing geographic attributes.

Why is this idea gelling now as opposed to 10 years ago?
CARLOS ROSSO: With Bernardo, we picked up the study at the University of Miami. With all the jobs we were doing here in Edgewater [Icon Bay and the four-tower Paraiso complex], and with Bernardo involved with Genting [the developers of the former Miami Herald site that links Edgewater and Museum Park], we thought there is already critical mass to start pushing the idea through.

How realistic is this?
MARC SARNOFF: I think the Biscayne Line will inevitably be built. With Edgewater, you’re looking at a blank canvas, in that an entire community is being built in a 10-year span. Creating the Biscayne Line is imperative.
BFB: Since 1979, every new developer has been required to convey 20 feet of land for public access [along the waterfront], so we’re way ahead of the game by the fact that there is legislature that actually forces that to happen.
CR: It’s very real. There’s a couple of old buildings [built prior to the 1979 law], but that’s where UM, the city, Related Group, and Arquitectonica come together to try to put this issue on the table and see how we can do this.

Rosso, Fort-Brescia, and Sarnoff at Paraiso, a Related project in the revitalizing Edgewater area.

How will the walkway get around those old, private areas?
BFB: There is a way to bypass the private space—the water. That’s where the government has a role. You can do it with floating docks; there are other ways. We’re going to have University of Miami students doing this investigation. Often students think out of the box, and it’s good to hear what ideas could be out there.

How have residents and other developers responded?
CR: The neighbors said, “Look, instead of having dead-end streets, we would prefer to have something that feels more secure and gives us identity.” The board of the Arsht Center—they loved it. As for the developers—for example, the Melo Group owns property here—the Melos have already told us that they would be willing to give that [walkway] space ahead of them building their building.

Some would argue that with public space comes crime. What’s the solution here?
MS: Developers are catalysts for taxes. We intend on policing the public space by using [the developers’] ad valorem dollars.
CR: This would make the neighborhood more secure, because you have people living in front of the spaces. The more public the spaces are, the more people watch what happens.

What’s in it for developers such as The Related Group?
CR: We think it’s better for us to sell if there is a way of connecting those buyers to those public spaces. It’s more value to the city and to us. At the same time, [Related Group CEO] Jorge [Pérez] wants to give back. It’s part of a legacy.

How will this be paid for?
CR: We [The Related Group] are willing to pay for it, so it’s not about money.

Other than raising property value, why do this?
CR: I think there are no great cities without great public space. Great cities have great parks and museums. In Miami, we are seeing that for the first time. For the maturity, it’s important to involve the universities, like UM.
BFB: Here we have beauty, which is the geography of Biscayne Bay. Logic says that we should take advantage of it and not separate ourselves from it. The most important message from our city is this bay and the connection with the water. To not try to experience that amazing dimension that we have is a pity.

This week jeweler Tiffany & Co. announces the launch of two new timepiece collections.

Tiffany & Co. East West.

Focusing on American design made in Switzerland, Tiffany & Co. today unveiled to the world its newest watch collections: CT60 and East West. Everything is made in Switzerland—under the very vigilant eyes of the less-than-three-year-young Tiffany & Co. Swiss Watch Company. Those who may remember Tiffany & Co. watches of the most recent decade, may note that the watches were fairly similar in nature and were not made by the brand, but were licensed to a larger group. After parting ways with that agreement, Tiffany & Co. leaders made the decision to create their own facility in Switzerland (as they had had back in the mid 1800s—established under the direction of founder Charles Lewis Tiffany). The concept is that if Tiffany & Co. is globally renowned for its craftsmanship and quality in jewelry, it should also have the same standards in watchmaking.

Tiffany & Co. CT60 Calendar.

As such, the brand turns to the finest master craftsmen, as well as to top movement manufacturers and unveils mechanical watches with calibers from brands such as Dubois Depraz and Sellita. The new CT60 collection includes three-hands with date, calendars, and chronographs. Dial and strap colors range from slate gray to beautiful rich blue, tobacco, and white. The concept behind the new collection is to produce American style in the land that is known for top quality watchmaking. The king model in the line is the CT60 annual calendar watch that is created in 18-karat rose gold, with mechanical movement. The watch is inspired by a watch owned by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, which was acquired by Tiffany & Co. several years ago. Another 23 models join this one.

Founder and editor-in-chief of ATimelyPerspective.com, Roberta Naas is a veteran award-winning journalist in the watch industry with more than 25 years of experience. She was the first woman watch editor in the US market—breaking in to an “all boys network” with a pioneering spirit that would be her signature to this day. Naas brings responsible, factual—yet always timely and insightful—reporting of the watch industry to the forefront.