By: Kara Franker
Discover eclectic shopping hotspots in the Wynwood Arts District.
While Wynwood is a great place to scope out the international street art scene - Don’t miss the district’s Art Walk held on the second Saturday of every month - it’s also the perfect spot to uncover unique fashion and home boutiques. It’s even home to a new burgeoning bridal district.
Fashion Forward Boutiques
Wynwood has a collection of boutiques that value sustainable production and giving back to the community. These stores offer the opportunity to shop for a cause and look fabulous at the same time.
At Nomad Tribe (2301 NW 2nd Ave.) you'll find colorful clothing that has been sourced and produced in small, family-owned shops in places like Peru where workers are paid fair wages and artisans are mindful of the environment. They also host pop-up shops, sponsor eco-design competitions and promote social networking among their suppliers to encourage a sense of community. Some of their popular brands include bright and colorful shoes by Inkkas, handcrafted boots by Fortress of Inca, cotton tees with biodegradable pigments by Thinking MU and unique jewelry designs by Miami-based Kathe Cuervo.
Art meets fashion at Haus Fashion Lab (48 NW 25th St.). The boutique is equal parts emerging designers and big names in fashion. Here you’ll find a variety of international vintage goods, as well as unique items like bathing suits from Uruguay and eco-bags from Mexico.
Four friends from Mexico, Peru and Venezuela met in Miami and discovered that they shared a common passion for high-end, bohemian-inspired designs from Latin America. They opened Boho Hunter in Wynwood (184 NW 27th St.) to showcase these international treasures. Score a colorful new clutch for an evening out, an artisan-made Panama hat for a day at the beach or vintage style acrylic homewares from Colombia.
Ladies can find the perfect outfit for a night out on the town or a new pair of shades that are sure to turn heads. MVM Miami (2119 NW 2nd Ave.) is a women's boutique that's all about haute trends and new looks. Shop cute rompers, off-the-shoulder dresses by Bella Dahl, beachy chic handbags with pom poms by Pitusa and eclectic swimwear by Papersails.
For a super soft shirt that you'll want to live in constantly or a bright orange bathing suit made especially to show off your new Miami tan, head to Marine Layer's (217 NW 25th St.) Wynwood outpost. The owners originally sold their wares out of a 1969 VW bus and when the brand took off nationally, they began opening storefronts in what they call "fun towns" across the country. We're glad Wynwood made the list!
A pioneer in the Canadian fashion industry, Maison Marie Saint Pierre's (2311 NW 2nd Ave.) American flagship store is in Wynwood. The luxury fashion house is known for its impeccable craftsmanship in elegant evening wear, wedding dresses, resort wear and more.
International eyewear brand, Warby Parker (215 NW 25th St.) has an outpost in Wynwood. When you buy a pair of sunglasses or eyeglasses, the brand donates a pair to a person in need.
Bridal Couture and Wedding Planning
Coral Gables has always attracted the who’s who of the wedding industry elite, but has become a burgeoning bridal district that offers a variety of homegrown and international wedding gown shops.
Offering a fresh new concept for the less conventional modern bride, The Bridal Project (2751 N. Miami Ave. Suite 9) not only showcases exquisite vintage wedding gowns, but also caters to couples looking for advice about nutrition, beauty, fitness, wedding planning and beyond. Peruse lace creations by local Miami dress designer Maria D’Ocon and wedding gowns by Barcelona’s own Yolan Cris.
For the hopelessly romantic bride-to-be looking for equal parts vintage and boho, a&bé bridal shop (319 NW 25th St.) has an impressive selection of wedding gowns that cater to an indie aesthetic. This is a great place to go for brides who want a laid-back and easy shopping experience—without all the fuss.
With a long list of notable designers like Savannah Miller, Marchesa Notte, Theia and Lovers Society, as well as a packed calendar full of trunk shows, Lovely Bride (175 NW 25th St.) is a great place to begin the search for that perfect wedding gown.
Eclectic Home & Gift Finds
The stores in Wynwood are mostly small concept boutiques specializing in design and lifestyle goods. Here you can find unique and eclectic gifts for your décor loving friends back home or for your own stylish domicile.
The open and airy space at Frangipani (2516 NW 2nd Ave.) is filled with great finds in women, men and kids fashion, as well as artisan gifts with a fresh and unique feel like handmade stationary from Vietnam, thin and soft beach blankets by Las Bayadas, organic coconut oil for skin and hair by Conscious Coconut Oil (for every tube sold a child is given a meal through the Feeding America Food Banks) and home accessories like bourbon vanilla and white tea soy candles by Lucia.
Founded by Paloma Teppa, industrial designer and artist, and her husband, Yair Marcoschamer, an eco-entreprenuer, Plant the Future (2511 NW 2nd Ave.) is a must-stop in Wynwood. The simple but elegant designs would look lovely in any home or could make a terrific hostess gift if you’re staying with friends in town. Teppa blurs the lines between art, home décor and landscaping and her unique creations, large and small, include plant-based architectural designs. Think a long white vase full of spikey and long-lasting air plants, or a life-size white horse with a mane made of Tillandsia.
Discover unique design elements and furniture accents at Malaquita Designs (2613 NW 2nd Ave. #13), a home boutique next to Wynwood Walls that carries designs from talented Mexican artists. You'll find unique lighting elements, wall art and chairs that will give your space a unique artisan feel.
Shop for fun and quirky mementos to take home with you from Wynwood’s chic and design forward boutique. At Elemental (2200 NW 2nd Ave.), just across the street from Wynwood’s famous Panther Coffee, is a collection of edgy design finds for the home and work space by international designers and artists. Shop here for everything from bookends that look like balloon animals to modern birdhouses.
At Saccaro (3466 N Miami Ave.) you'll find superbly designed indoor and outdoor furniture. The high-quality materials found at Saccaro are long-lasting investment pieces that wear well and sustain the elements of everyday living.
Second Saturday's Art Walk
Wynwood’s Art Walk, held on the second Saturday of every month, is not just a fun and happening way to get some fresh air and good people-watching in. It’s a great place to scope out new talent in the art world as well as purchase one-of-a-kind souvenirs. At Art Walk, the galleries stay open late with their doors wide open. Sometimes these galleries are by appointment only, so this is a way to get a sneak-peek into an otherwise exclusive scene. Street vendors line the sidewalks selling everything from small canvas paintings to exotic handmade jewelry and high-tech watches; and local cafes and coffee shops set up pop-up stores for local artisans and artists.
Visit Miami in February during Shop Miami Month and take advantage of the many retail promotions.