By: Angela Caraway-Carlton
Fire up those credit cards: Valentino, Christian Louboutin and Prada are calling your name. When you’re looking to treat yourself by splurging on high fashion, Miami has plenty to offer when it comes to retail therapy. Here, we highlight two of Miami’s most lavish shopping destinations, along with several other high-low options, for a mix of luxury and affordability.
Bal Harbour Shops
Bal Harbour Shops
You’ll know you’ve reached high-fashion heaven as soon as you drive through the gate of this grand shopping center primely located in the swanky beach village of Bal Harbour, just across from the Atlantic Ocean. Immediately, you’re met with lines of fancy cars and a parade of people dressed as if they’re runway ready. A longtime epitome of luxury, the open-air shopping center has been around since the 1960s and is still family owned and operated. Bal Harbour boasts around 100 luxury retailers, all tucked in between a lush landscape of plants, palm trees, koi ponds and fountains, offering a relaxing shopping experience. This is where you’ll find a who’s-who in fashion like Chanel, Gucci, Prada, Valentino, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, along with brands like French luxury fashion house Balmain, celebrity shoe favorite Aquazzura, Italian high-end sneaker brand Golden Goose and Australian fashion name Zimmermann. Those looking for high-end watches can find the “crème de la crème” like Rolex by Tourneau and the sleek Richard Mille boutique for uniquely complicated timepieces that are often worn by the rich and famous. The shopping center will soon undergo a huge expansion that will make way for around 40 additional luxury boutiques including specialty retailer Barneys New York. 9700 Collins Avenue, Bal Harbour
Cartier in the Design District, photo by Richard Patterson
Miami Design District
Along with being known for its ground-breaking art, design, architecture and culture, this trendy neighborhood with an international draw is lined with more than 60 luxury fashion boutiques, all of which have unique facades to match the artsy neighborhood. The name dropping will catch the attention (and wallet) of any deluxe fashion lover: think Dior, Balenciaga, Louis Vuitton, Versace, Hermes, Christian Louboutin, and a row of extravagant watch shops such as Vacheron Constantin, Hublot and Tag Heuer. The Miami Design District is also home to luxe local favorites likes En Avance, a well-curated boutique which showcases established and new talent from around the world. Don’t leave without taking a “selfie” in front of the vivid orange walls of Fendi to cap off your designer day in the District. 3841 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami
Brickell City Centre
Brickell City Centre
With four vertical floors of shopping, dining and entertainment, you can easily spend an entire day (and all your money) at Brickell City Centre, located in the heart of Downtown. With bragging rights to more than 120 stores, shoppers will find a nice mix of premium and more affordable shops, with many brands that are new to the U.S. You’ll want to spend extra time at the larger-than-life Saks Fifth Avenue, with three floors packed with well-edited designer labels, and then move to ultra-luxe standouts like Italian fragrance favorite Aqua Di Parma and shoe designer Giuseppe Zanotti. Other favorites that won’t necessarily break the bank are jewelry queen Kendra Scott, Lafayette 148 New York, contemporary women’s fashion brand Pinko, and Intermix for the young fashionistas. 701 S Miami Ave, Miami
Aventura Mall
Aventura Mall
This longtime, mega-mall in Aventura just keeps getting bigger and better thanks to an ever-growing portfolio of new boutiques and an entirely new wing of shops and restaurants. The mall offers a full roster of big-name retail anchors like Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s, and Nordstrom along with iconic luxury brands such as Chanel (there’s even a fragrance store), Jimmy Choo and international fashion houses Carolina Herrera and Burberry. Young-at-heart shoppers will also want to pop in Anthropologie; then go for a thrilling ride down the mall’s 93-foot slide to celebrate your purchases!
19501 Biscayne Blvd, Miami
Shops at Merrick Park
Shops at Merrick Park
Primely situated in Coral Gables, the Shops at Merrick Park is an airy shopping destination where you’ll find a nice mix of contemporary and upscale stores in a gorgeous outdoor setting. With a central courtyard dotted with soaring water fountains and winding walkways flanked by palm trees, this three-story mall offers more than a 100 stores and restaurants, including big retailers like Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom, luxe stores such as Gucci and Louis Vuitton, and trendy spots like Eberjey and Madewell. 358 San Lorenzo Ave, Coral Gables
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