Have a Model Vacation: The Most Stylish Beaches and Accessories
Every July, Miami’s faces of fashion flock to South Florida for two of the country’s most important fashion shows: the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim and Funkshion: Swim Fashion Week Miami Beach. It’s an occasion to see the latest in summer and resort fashion.
Some of the shows’ attendees — including models, stylists, designers, and the überhip — shared with Yahoo Travel their secrets for ideal summer trips, how to keep hair looking glamorous during hot days, and what items or keepsakes they never travel without.
FERNANDA UESLER, MODEL
Model Fernanda Uesler backstage at the Caitlin Kelly 2015 swimwear show (Photo: Allison Weiss Brady)
Brazilian model Fernanda Uesler moved to Miami over four-and-a-half years ago on a whim. She came for a visit to try modeling and has never left. While backstage getting ready for the swim show in the penthouse of the Raleigh hotel in South Beach, we photographed her on the balcony adjacent to the hair and makeup room. With a gorgeous Miami skyline in the background, she told us some of her ideal travel locations.
Favorite beach and why:
“Mykonos and Santorini, Greece, because the color of water is simply gorgeous — a dark marine clear.”
The beaches of Santorini are one of Uesler’s happy places (Photo: Thinkstock)
When traveling, what’s a place that made you say to yourself, “I could live here instead of where I live now”?
“I’m Brazilian, and I have always loved Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil.”
ELYSZE HELD, STYLIST
Stylist Elysze Held (Photo: Allison Weiss Brady)
As the purveyor of all that is hip, and one of the most established fashionistas on this list, Elysze spits her time between Miami and New York City to style celebrities, movie stars, and socialites. As the stylist for South Florida’s popular show “Deco Drive,” she was named one of “Miami’s Most Stylish 2013” by StyleCaster. During Swim Week, she was seen dashing between the Raleigh hotel and Soho Beach House, where even flooded streets could not keep her from getting to her next show.
Favorite beach and why:
“Forte dei Marmi, Italy: a gem in northern Tuscany, in the Lucca province. Referred to as the Italian Riviera, it has all the components of an amazing atmosphere — terrific food, gorgeous hotels, and exquisite shopping.”
Elysze loves the beach and atmosphere at Forte dei Marmi. (Thomas Hawk/Flickr)
When traveling, what’s a place that made you say to yourself, “I could live here instead of where I live now”?
“Stinson Beach, California: a little town outside of San Francisco, known for their great waves and surfing.”
The waves at Stinson Beach call out to Elysze. (Photo:Thinkstock)
When traveling to the beach, what don’t you leave home without?
“A canvas tote (L.L. Bean style) to carry everything, a lightweight Yigal Azrouël scarf, and 65+ sunscreen,” which she gets from her facialist at In Skin.
Elysze’s tote of choice: an L.L. Bean canvas bag (Photo: m-s-y/Flickr)
Related: Where Did You Get That Bag?
BENNO AND BOJAN, DESIGNERS
Barraca Chic designers Benno and Bojan onstage at their Funkshion Fashion Week Miami show (Photo: Barraca Chic and Ivon David Rojas/Totally Cool)
Related: 7 Cheap and Chic Beaches You’ve Never Heard of…Until Now
Switzerland-based swimsuit designer team Bojan and Benno of Barraca Chic, who design for both men and women, chose to show their latest collection in Miami at Funkshion.
Favorite beach and why:
“Porto Cervo, Sardinia, Italy. It’s posh yet serene, and the perfect getaway for a weekend trip from Zurich.”
Bojan and Benno suggest you take their swimsuits to Italy’s Porto Cervo. (Photo: Thinkstock)
When traveling, what’s a place that made you say to yourself, “I could live here instead of where I live now”?
”We would want to live in Miami, as the feeling of luxury and diversity juxtapose to create the perfect setting.”
When traveling to the beach, what don’t you leave home without?
“Our Bottega Veneta weekender. And a swimsuit, of course!”
Bojan and Benno’s ideal weekending bag (Photo: Bottega Veneta)
MARCO PEÑA, HAIRSTYLIST
Marco Peña, TRESemmé lead stylist, backstage at the Dolores Cortes Summer 2015 swimwear show (Photo: Courtesy of TRESemmé.)
Working backstage before the Dolores Cortes swimwear show, Marco created sky-high tousled ponytails wrapped with gold wire to accompany the black-and-white, aqua, and tan bathing suits about to be strutted down the runway. Sharing a backstage with other show designers simply separated by black curtains, the energy behind the scenes was well-organized but electric. And Marco paused long enough to share his summer secrets.
What’s the best beach accessory to swimwear?
“Your hair. Any hairstyle that can be controlled is key — braids are wonderful for those days in the sun, because you don’t have to worry about having messy hair.”
Favorite beach and why:
“I’m part-Colombian, and one of my favorite beaches is Islas del Rosario in Colombia.”
Stylist Marco Peña says Colombia’s Islas del Rosario is the perfect place for you to let your hair down. (Photo: Thinkstock)
When traveling to the beach, what don’t you leave home without?
”Gucci sunglasses and Clarins sunscreen.”
ERIN NEWBERG, “IT” GIRL
Miami-based style trendsetter Erin Newberg wearing Eternamé jewels during Swim Week (Photo: Allison Weiss Brady)
Miami “it” girl Erin Newberg, who has been photographed by legendary artist Spencer Tunick, is always one of the first to be photographed at an event due to her spot-on style. Jet-setting between New York City, Aspen, and Paris, her heart lies in South Florida, where she has been an on-air co-host for Plum TV and other media outlets.
When traveling, what’s a place you said to yourself, “I could live here instead of where I live now”?
“Monte-Carlo Beach hotel in Monaco. The hotel is a pure throwback to the 1940s, with a twist of Ann-Margret.”
The luxuriously old-school Monte-Carlo Beach hotel (Photo: Nat Lockwood/Flickr)
Related: The French Riviera Your Way: How to Roll Like Hemingway
When traveling to the beach, what don’t you leave home without?
”My Clarins lip gloss and cotton dresses from Golondrina.”
Dresses by Golondrina are Erin’s must-have beach accessory. (Photo: Golondrina Collection)
KIM NGUYEN, DESIGNER
Kim Nguyen (right) with Priscilla Guimarais at the Peroni Nastro Azzurro Emerging Designer Series event during Funkshion (Photo: Courtesy of Peroni Nastro Azzurro/Funkshion)
Kim Nguyen, who won last year’s Peroni Nastro Azzurro Emerging Designer Series event during Funkshion, showcased her Quyen Dimension and KH Swim Wear collections to over 800 people at this year’s event. Born in Boston and raised in Saint Petersburg, Florida, her favorite travel destinations are where her heart is.
When traveling, what’s a place you said to yourself, “I could live here instead of where I live now”?
“Nowhere. My hometown is my favorite, where I love to spend time with my family and friends. The sand is very soft, and people are always friendly, with beautiful weather, of course.”
For Kim, Saint Petersburg has the home beach advantage. (Photo: Thinkstock)
When traveling to the beach, what don’t you leave home without?
“An array of shoes to fit multiple vacation needs. A nice pair of heels for an eventful night or even a pair of Converse for a beautiful day exploring the city.”
AMANDA PIZZICONI, MODEL
Model Amanda Pizziconi backstage at the Poko Pano Swim 2015 show (Photo: Allison Weiss Brady)
Getting ready backstage for a fashion show that was about to occur inside a swimming pool, where the outer edges of the Raleigh hotel’s pool were shallow enough for the models to prance around in, model Amanda Pizziconi posed for a photograph in front of the most recent Poko Pano collection. Not sure how many hotels could pull off a clever show like this one, but it was one of the only shows where the models did not have to worry about walking in 5-inch heels on a slick runway.
When traveling, what’s a place you said to yourself, “I could live here instead of where I live now”?
“I would love to go back to Tulum, Mexico, which is quite beautiful, or Turtle Bay, Hawaii.”
Tulum, Mexico, would have Amanda as a resident if she had her way. (Photo: Thinkstock)
Favorite beach and why:
“Waikiki (Hawaii), where there is amazing snorkeling, surfing, warm water, white sand, and delicious food.”
Favorite beach accessory:
“My Ray-Ban sunglasses.”
When traveling, what don’t you leave home without?
“The watch my boyfriend gave me. I always leave it on California time. It’s like I’m always home without being there.”
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