Much like Melrose Place in West Hollywood and SoHo in New York, the Design District in Miami is quickly establishing itself as a global shopping destination for the aesthetically-driven, design-minded, and fashion-obsessive among us. Within the last year alone, Acne Studios, Cult Gaia, and Nodaleto have all opened up their doors in the area alongside established luxury brands like Louis Vuitton and Gucci who have called the District home for nearly a decade.
While the shopping is really good, this neighborhood is hardly exclusive to fashion brands. It’s also a hub for art (the Institute for Contemporary Art museum is just steps away from the clothing stores), interior design (Fendi Casa and B&B Italia also call it home), and food (restaurants Contessa, Mandolin and Swan bring crowds of stylish diners).
On a recent trip to Florida’s cultural capital, I decided to acquaint myself with the Design District and I spent an afternoon browsing its best stores both new and old. As someone with a keen appreciation for art and design, I was mesmerized by the store design and architecture of these spaces as much as the clothing and accessories themselves. From Bottega Veneta’s dusty pink spiral staircase to the silver couch inside the Cult Gaia store, the stores I popped into were simply put, an experience.
Ahead, I’m diving into the eight best stores I checked out in Miami’s Design District and highlighting the key buys that wowed me from each of them. Bookmark these names for your next visit if you know what’s good for you.
Leave it to Jasmin Larian to create an otherworldly space for Cult Gaia’s first-ever retail store. As soon as I stepped inside, I was surrounded by racks of the brand’s candy-hued resort wear and crystal-adorned accessories arranged on racks and tables that deserve to have their own showroom, too. At the center of the space was an open seating area complete with a silver foil couch and a bench made entirely from strings of silver beads.
I couldn’t resist pulling a few fun options to try on while I was there. Namely, this halter mini dress that encapsulated just screamed “I’m in Miami.” It’s the kind of perfect vacation dress that does all the styling work for you—the built-in hardware is like its own jewelry and the print says I put in a lot effort even if you didn’t.
One thing about me is that I can never resist a good matching set. And luckily, there are plenty to choose from at this Cult Gaia outpost, from the brightly-colored mini skirt sets to the breezy linens like this white crop-top-and-cargo-pants duo that I was instantly drawn to. While you can’t see it here, the top is completely backless with a cool gold chain strap.
While so many brands are just now hopping on the Design District bandwagon, Tory Burch was in the earliest wave of brands who flocked to Miami. Its sprawling two-floor setup feels like so soothing with its travertine tables and Mediterranean olive trees that house a tightly-edited array of its bags, shoes, ready-to-wear, jewelry, and even a display of the brand’s home collection. There are a few elements that give the store a distinctly local feel and one of them is a gallery wall of photographs that Burch commissioned from Miami-based artist Clara Toro during Art Basel in December. I was also curious to know how the brand’s much-talked-about new visual direction was translating to its retail stores and when I visited, they had just finished redoing the entire exterior to reflect a more muted and organic energy.
The first thing I did was beeline to the bags. Well, one bag, in particular, the new Ella Mini. the shopping tote that’s been a best-seller since 2008 just came out in a few spring-ready colors like this mint green color and a pretty petunia hue. If you look closely, you’ll see that the style I’m holding is a softer and puffier version of the original because it’s made from an innovative plant-based vegan leather.
It would be sacrilege to enter a Tory Burch dressing room without trying on one of the signature fit-and-flare dresses, so I didn’t dare skip this half-velvet, half-cotton midi number, and I’m so glad I didn’t because hte fit and shape are exceptional.
Hardware is something Burch has always done especially well and this simple cardigan might just be the best example with its large logo-sculpted buttons that are a work of art in their own right.
Speaking of works of art, let’s hear it for these color-blocked slides. As something who’s color-shy, the combination and placement here make wearing bright colors like fiery red and butter yellow seem so easy. I’d bet anything they’ll earn droves of compliments, too.
For its first-ever brick-and-mortar outpost, the Parisian shoe label chose none other than Miami to plant its retail roots. It opened this past December during Art Basel and features these red velvet loungers are both sexy and fantastical. The scooped-out shape that makes you want to lie on your side and gossip with a friend, martini in hand.
Metallic shoes *are* the moment, as are mary jane styles. The two of them combined might just make the perfect (and only) pair to ever slip your feet into in 2023. A bold claim, yes, but after doing just that myself, the comfort level really sealed the deal.
Of course, it wouldn’t be Nodaleto without a mega platform and this black velvet pair complete with crystal buckles really delivered on the brand’s va va voom, and then some. Just add sheer tights and a mini dress.
This might seem counterintuitive for someone who writes about Bottega Veneta quite often, but I try to avoid wandering into its stores for the sake of my bank account. On this occasion I mustered up my strongest self-control and strolled in (purely for research purposes!). I have to say that before I even stepped foot inside I was already impressed—the very door handle to the store is blown-up interpretation of the gold hardware you’ll find on some BV bags. I was in for a treat.
I hate to admit it, but the It item of the moment, the Drop Earrings, were even better when I tried them on in person. They’re shockingly lightweight and curve down under the earlobe in the most satisfying way. I finally understand the hype around them and why they were and continue to be perpetually sold-out.
The flannel-printed shirt and denim-printed leather pieces are the kinds of items you just have to see in person to fully appreciate, because it’s hard to grasp just how much the fabric looks like the print it imitates from photos alone.
Miami-based brand Alexis was an absolute delight. I had never tried on anything from them before although I’ve been a fan of their pretty dresses on Saks, Revolve, and Nordstrom for a while now. While I’ll dive into the cute clothes I saw and tried on in store in a minute, let me just say that as someone who often tries on and reviews clothes for a living, the quality, fit, and attention to detail at Alexis is truly unmatched. These are forever clothes that are excellent investments. Wedding guest dressing and events are what they do best, kind of like a Cult Gaia meets Zimmermann, with a sophisticated overtone that makes it feel less trendy but no less exciting.
Oh, her? She’s the moment. Seeing as the rosette trend is hitting its peak right now, this flower-adorned jumpsuit was really speaking to me and the fit and material were top-notch, too.
As I mentioned, I was seriously impressed with the material and construction on all the pieces I tried. Details like a snap closure instead of those little hooks that are impossible to close and a wide zipper really made a big difference in my mind. Also, how chic is this buckle-waist midi dress?
Playful hardware were peppered throughout the collection, including on this skirt set complete with silver grommets.
With Reformation stores, you always know what you’re getting, i.e. a dressing room with customizable lighting depending on your mood and a touch screen to swap out sizes and styles without having to awkwardly step out and ask. Their location in the Miami Design District wasn’t massive, but featured all their best-selling items of the moment from the denim midi skirt to the high-neck tee everyone on TikTok adores. It also features a wall of Ref shoes including their plenty of their heeled sandals ideal for the south Florida climate.
Miami’s 80-degree weather definitely called for a breezy linen dress, and the Tagliatelle style (also my favorite type of pasta), did not disappoint. The fitted bodice and scalloped lace neckline were delightful details that make this a perfect summer LBD.
If you can get past the harsh lines of my sunburn, you’ll notice how cool this halter neck top is. Zoom in to fully appreciate the Y2K buckle detail on the strap. This is what I mean when I say “going out top”. I also couldn’t pass up the opportunity to try on the denim midi skirt that Who What Wear editors have been talking about nonstop. The white version felt especially fitting for Miami’s eternal summer and paired so well with many of the printed tops I tried it on with.
Another Ref item I’ve heard my WWW colleagues raving about is this ’60s-style satin dress that has major Prada energy. I can confirm that the material is so soft and nice and I love the idea of wearing it as a fun bridal look (ahem, any brides-to-be out there?).
Last, but certainly not least, was this lace-up top that immediately transported me to a town in Tuscany with its vintage-y print and sweetheart neckline. I actually ended up bringing this one to the register and now want to fly back just for the matching skirt.
Acne Studios is the newest kid on the block, having just opened its doors this month across the street from Nodaleto and Swan and next door to the ICA museum. Its two-floor concept space teams the feeling of an art gallery with a boutique. Key looks from its spring/summer 2023 runway featured prominently alongside its OG Musubi bags.
Prada motifs like the geometric triangles and tonal lilies were woven into the fabric of the store via sprawling carpets and textured walls. A selection of its custom runway looks from spring ’23 were on display despite some of them not being put into production, so it felt like visiting a Prada archive at the same time.
