Miami On Sight

Miami on Sight sustainable fashion show Art Basel 2019

The month of December in Miami is an exciting time for artists and creatives because of Miami Art Basel. Over the years, the event has grown and now attracts visitors from all over the world to see the creative arts here in the city. Not only has the one-week event boosted the local economy but it has also stimulated the artistic creative energy here in Miami.

This year, an exciting find for me was the Miami on Sight event.  I have been searching for local like-minded groups that focus on art, fashion and sustainability and I believe Miami has arrived.  Miami on Sight is a community-minded fashion project that places a focus on local talent and sustainability. They followed up their acclaimed Collins Park show with a runway presentation at the beautiful Palm Court in the Miami Design District. The event took place on December 8th, the final day of Miami Art Week.

With creative producer and designer Pangea Kali Virga as the visionary for this project, the show incorporated the venue of the Miami Art District Palm Court area’s beautiful existing art and architecture into the unique performance, including Buckminster Fuller’s Fly’s Eye Dome and the newly installed work, Pink Beasts by Fernando Laposse. My eyes and ears were on overload as the visual effects of the beautiful landscape of trees, designer stores and restaurants were jaw dropping.  Seven designers each presented nine unique runway looks formulated around the evening’s concept of “Luxury Sustainability” to the galloping musical beats of co-producer Nico Hough.
 

The Miami Design District has made Miami on Sight and amazing addition to the Art Basel week because of the importance it places on sustainability, the show’s theme of luxury sustainability fits with the district’s appeal. The fashion showcase featured beautiful designs demonstrating that luxury fashion does not have to contribute to pollution or waste in our environment.  Miami On Sight Runway is dedicated to bringing together elegance and ethics, the conscious and the couture. The designers that were for chosen for this showcase used their talents to demonstrate how fashion can be sustainable without sacrificing sophistication or quality.

As I sat in the crowd next to the parents of Nico Hough, who were so proud of their son and his partner Pangea, I realized that this was indeed the highlight of the week for me.  I was not able to attend this year as much as I would have liked to but the event was well worth it and as the curtain closed on Art Basel and a week of international art events, this runway was a moment that I felt like Miami has arrived on the sustainable fashion scene.  The conversation needs to continue as much more focus is needed on inspiring work being done in the Magic City.

 Designers who presented were Felder Felder, Krel Wear, Mavrans, The Onikas, Pangea Kali Virga, Ana Dalessio, Jet Lag Mode, Atelier E Jewelry and Tao Company Jewelry, with very special contributions from the students of DASH Miami who made amazing outfits out of discarded men’s’ shirts. The designers all did a fantastic job and the show was a success. See the video posted below for live highlights of the show. I cannot wait to see the future for sustainable fashion here in South Florida, it looks brighter than it has been.

Much Love,

Ally