Art Basel Miami Shopping Guide 2012

Miami.com

by Maria Tettamanti

In town for Art Basel (or simply a tan)? Yes, America’s premiere contemporary and modern art fair takes over sunny Miami from December 6 to 9.

In town for Art Basel (or simply a tan)? Yes, America’s premiere contemporary and modern art fair takes over sunny Miami from December 6 to 9. Celebrating its eleventh anniversary as the stateside sister to the original, founded in Basel, Switzerland, in 1970, the affair is the perfect reason to, well, shop, kick back and relax. We break it all down here:

LINCOLN ROAD: The main shopping and dining vein of Miami Beach, consider Lincoln Road the must-see spot during your jaunt. People watching at this pedestrian-friendly promenade are also a favorite pastime here.

1111 Lincoln Road — Inside the uber-cool Herzog & de Meuron-designed 1111 Lincoln Road building you’ll find boutiques like Coltorti Miami, Babalu, Adidas SLVR, Journelle, Nespresso, Alchemist, MAC Cosmetics, Artsee, Y-3 and more. Each store’s space is easy on the eyes — modern masterpieces, if you will. 1111 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach.

Lacoste — Rock the croc Miami-style at the French label’s Lincon Road outpost. Scoop up the preppy-chic barnd’s Live! collection which includes sweaters embroidered with fox faces, striped dress and a modified, hipper crocodile logo.1026 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach.

Base — Tired of the same ol’, same ol’? Then bounce over to Base — the epicenter of all things cool, quirky and hip. Off-the-beaten-path designers such as Miansai (jewelry), Area Ware (artistic objects) and Tsovet (watches) are up for keeps. Be sure to groove to some beats at their renowned music bar. 939 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach; (305) 531-4982.

Debbie Katz — Debbie Katz’s creations are synonymous with South Beach style — colorful, vibrant and airy. While Katz’s high-quality cotton gauze tunics, dresses and pants are perfect for mustering Miami’s sweltering heat, her designs define Florida living. 1629 Alton Road, Miami Beach; (305) 672-9778.

Madewell — Think of Madewell as J. Crew’s younger, more easygoing sister with a penchant for bumming around the beach. Recently opened on South Beach, the boutique is the brand’s first foray in Florida. 714 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach; (305) 534-8079.

H&M — After suffering an H&M draught for years, Miami finally got a store on Lincoln Road. The just-opened three-floor South Beach store boasts 25,000-square feet and is among the largest of the company’s 259 stores in the U.S. 555 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach.

DESIGN DISTRICT: This de rigueur area across the pond from Miami Beach is home to design stores, art galleries, gourmet restaurants and unique boutiques galore.

Louis Vuitton — The just opened Design District door offers a unique experience for shoppers. The main entrance possesses a specialized Travel Room teeming with classic trunks, luggage and travel-specific accessories — ideal for bon vivants. Replete with antique Parisian furniture, the ground floor houses a curated selection of men’s and women’s leathergoods, ready-to-wear, shoes, fashion jewelry, eyewear and textiles. 170 NE 40 Street, Design District.

Emèna Spa — Need a manicure, wax, facials, massage or some beauty booty? Emèna has got you covered. Up for keeps are get-glam goodies by Eminence, Phyto, Aromaland, Lip Smart and Adonia. 4100 NE 2 Ave, Suite 301; (305) 438-3777.

Marni — This Milanese-based company made its debut during Art Basel Miami Beach 2008, which is fitting considering the small corner space is a work of art in its own. Floating stainless steal racks around the store’s perimeters carry dresses, knee-length skirts and tops in Marni’s signature pastel patterns. 3930 N.E. 2nd Ave., Design District; (305) 764-3357.

MIDTOWN: Neighboring the Design District, there’s Midtown Miami located between 29th and 36th Streets. The urban oasis is brimming with boutiques, cafes, lounges and big chains like Target, Marshall’s, Loehmann’s and West Elm.

Blo — Scissors are verboten here. Dye, ditto. No cuts and no color, either. At Blo, it’s all about a good wash and blow dry. Hair Cadets (AKA clients) can choose from the menu’s 7 styles — there’s the razor-straight “Executive Sweet” to the edgier “Sex, Hugs and Rock & Roll.” The cost is $35 for all hair types and lengths. Just wash, blo and go. 3301 NE 1st Ave., Suite 102, Midtown; (786) 373-5256.

NailBar — While wacky nail art enjoys its fashion moment, try this trend or score a regular mani/pedi at this futuristic nail bar. The vibe here is Saint-Tropez-meets-Silicon-Valley compliments of a chic yet high-tech ambience. 3301 NE 1st Ave., Suite 106, Midtown; (305) 509-2157.

WYNWOOD: Locals tout Wynwood as “The Art District” and reasonably so. Located on the fringes of the Design District and Midtown, it’s home to over 70 galleries and is peppered with hip shops.

Del Toro Shoes — Locals and A-listers alike adore Del Toro’s slippers, oxfords, espadrilles and wingtips and the much-loved line is opening its first-ever store just in time for this year’s Art Basel. Slip on a pair to see what all the buzz is about. 2750 NW 3rd Avenue, Wynwood.

GAB Studio’s Ground Up Collective — Located within this photography and art studio, locals adore eco-chic Ground Up Collective boutique. A collaborative platform for Miami-based organizations, artists, musicians and designers the store is brimming with green and anomalous finds. 105 NW 23 Street, Wynwood; (305) 200-5349.

Plant The Future — Ditch the dozen of roses. In fact, skip the generic flower idea altogether and score points with a Plant the Future living arrangement of succulents, cacti, air plants, orchids, bromeliads and even butterfly cocoons. 2511 NW 2nd Avenue, Wynwood; (305) 571-7177.

Junior & Hatter — This quirky salon specializes in both men and women’s hair and offers the experience and services of an upscale, high-end salon in an artistically cultivated setting. 2750 NW 3rd Ave., Wynwood; (305) 571-8361.

Las Tias — Does your pad need some sprucing up? Think of Las Tias (Spanish for “the aunts”) as the locals’ go-to upscale consignment shop. Las Tias is teeming with tables, seating, lighting, home décor and even apparel and jewelry. 2834 N. Miami Ave., (305) 573-4198.