Miami Style Awards Celebrates Chic South Florida Elegance and Launches the Return of Miami Beach International Fashion Week in 2011

    MIAMI, FL, October 21, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The inaugural Miami Style Awards not only recognized South Florida's fashion elite in grand style at the W South Beach, but organizers officially announced that Miami International Fashion Week will return to Miami Beach in 2011 and will be rebranded as "Miami Beach International Fashion Week (MBIFW)." The largest Latin American and international fashion event in the U.S. drawing innovative designers from around the world is scheduled to take place at the Miami Beach Convention Center March 3 - 6, 2011.

Since leaving Miami Beach in 2006, the annual event has grown significantly in its global reach and has earned an influential role in South Florida's garment, tourism, international business, and hospitality industries.

"During the 2010 shows at the Shops at Midtown Miami, we had more than 58 international designers from 22 countries throughout Latin America, the Caribbean, India, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Lebanon, Europe who unveiled their latest collections in women's evening wear, pret-a-porter, swimwear, men's wear, jewelry and accessories," said founder and President Beth Sobol. "Overall, it's estimated that Fashion Week contributes about $10 million annually to the local economy as participants spend money on hotels, restaurants, entertainment, and transportation."

MBIFW will continue several of Fashion Week's trademark events such as the exciting Miami Moda & Music Awards show that takes place on the final night and presents honors and awards to pioneering designers and features live performances from electrifying recording stars.

"We are thrilled to welcome the Miami Beach International Fashion Week back to the island and the Miami Beach Convention Center," said Bob Balsam, Global Spectrum's General Manager at the Miami Beach Convention Center. "Our venue and Miami Beach's international flair make it the perfect host location for an event of this caliber and prestige. We are confident this is the beginning of a very successful and long-term partnership with the MBIFW."

During the Miami Style Awards, the five honorees chosen for their personal style as well as their extraordinary community service were socialites and philanthropists Lea Black, Abigail Pollak, and Alexia Echevarria; renowned shoe designer Lisa Pliner; and successful beauty and fashion entrepreneur Loren Ridinger. Later in the evening, Grammy-winning singer, producer and composer Albita took the stage for an amazing performance.

Co-hosted by celebrated fashion designer Julian Chang and MIFW Founder & President Beth Sobol, the event was a spectacular evening of fashion, food, music, and cocktails benefiting the MFW Foundation. Celebrity emcee Elaine Lancaster co-hosted with Brian Andrews, former WSVN and WFOR anchor and Director of English News at RCN TV Colombia, and Ileana Garcia, host of Alfombra Roja on Romance Radio.

The clothing designers who presented collections during the Miami Style Awards were Julian Chang, Nicolas Felizola, Viviana G for Petit Pois, Andres Vieira for Sewing Souls, Zebra, Erin Healy and Luca Luca. The jewelry and accessories designers included Amaloa Art to Wear, Shannon Saint Clair, Ankora Jewelry, Musa Jewelry, Charles Albert Jewelry, Cyclus, and Zunco Accessories.

Tiffany & Co., W Hotel South Beach, Morracanoil, The Miami Institute for Age Management & Intervention, Barefoot Wines & Bubbly, Cravings Magazine, Laser Cosmetica, and the Capponi Group are sponsors for the event. Solea restaurant provided catering with music by DJ Frank Delour.

Website: http://www.miamifashionweek.com

About Miami Fashion Week
Beth Sobol, President of Sobol Fashion Productions, Inc., founded Miami Fashion Week in 1999 following a successful career as an international fashion model. She has worked with some of the fashion world's most influential designers and producers and launched Miami Fashion Week to provide a platform for designers from Latin America to gain international exposure. During the past 12 years, MFW has evolved into one of the world's premier fashion events spotlighting designers from Europe, USA and Canada, the Caribbean, Middle East and Asia as well as the largest showcase of Latin American design talent in the United States.

About Miami Fashion Week Foundation:
The Miami Fashion Week Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) independent, not-for-profit organization that provides scholarships benefiting emerging designers and students studying fashion design, fashion photography, jewelry making and graphic arts who are the winners of the Miami International Fashion Week competitions. The competition winners are announced on the closing night at the Miami Moda & Music Awards . Inquires on donations and additional information should be emailed to [email protected].

For event photos, please contact Charles Jones at [email protected].

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