Art Deco tour in South Beach

I have been living in Miami for 8 years but last week I was just a regular tourist taking my first walking tour of the Art Deco district.  And there is plenty to see and learn when you are taking a stroll in the largest collection of preserved Art Deco buildings in the world.




Congress Hotel - Art Deco District on South Beach

 
Architects and designers will fall in love with the number of hotels featuring the "Tropical Deco" style of Miami Beach with plenty of whimsical flora, fauna and ocean-liner motifs.  All building have some of the elements characterizing this period: glass blocks, decorative sculptural panels, eyebrows, round porthole windows, terrazzo floors, curved edges and corners, elements in groups of three and plenty of neon lighting.



Neon lights at the Art Deco District on South Beach


However, if you are just a regular guy or girl like me, there is plenty of stories about the period that will catch your attention.  For instance, the controversial Calvin Klein ad for Obsession perfume in the roof of the Breakwater hotel in 1987 that catapulted fashion to SoBe.  My favorite though is the facade of the Commodore hotel where rumor has it that Madonna and Jean Paul Gaultier took the inspiration for her iconic cone bra.



1987 Calvin Klein Ad on South Beach





Commodore Hotel - Art Deco District


Truth or tale, it really doesn't matter.  What I guarantee is that you will have a wonderful time.  Make sure you take the tour guided by Kent, a Chicago native with a passion for Miami Beach history.



Kent - Art Deco Walking Tour Guide



Romero Britto designs parking meters for the Miami Homeless

More popular in Miami than the Havaianas brand is another Brazilian icon, Romero Britto. 

The artist known for its bold colors and bright cheerful patterns has its art showcased not only at his gallery on Lincoln Road but at most landmarks accross Miami such as the Dolphin Stadium, American Airlines arena, Childrens Musem and many others.

Romero Britto - Brazilian artist

One of his latest project is a collaboration with the Homeless fund and features parking meters  in bright yellow with colorful patterns.  Tourists be aware, the money collected is not actually to pay for parking but rather to be used in a fund for the Homeless cause in Miami.

Be generous and enjoy the new addition of Britto's design to South  Beach.

Havaianas by Missoni: beach sandals go couture for the 2011 summer

I came across these fabulous new flip flops from Havaianas yesterday in South Beach.

Havaianas - a Brazilian brand and one of the most popular names in summer sandals -  has now gone couture with this limited edition design by Missoni.  The partnership with the Italian knitwear designer known for its bold and graphic patterns is featured in three styles of sandals and one espadrille style.



Havaians Missoni



My pick is the espadrille style, LOVE IT!!!  What is your style of Havaianas?