This picture taken last night with noted designer Esteban Cortazer at the Ocean Drive holiday party is quite special to me so I thought I’d share. You see, Esteban was my very first “fashion” interview after graduating from the University of Florida. So he holds a special place in my heart.
I’m also kind of obsessed with Esteban. I mean, what Miamian isn’t? Born in Colombia, he was raised in Miami and started his own collection at age 13 while attending DASH. Feel unaccomplished yet? I sure as hell am.
He went on to helm the house of Emanuel Ungaro but left amidst the Lindsay Lohan scandal that shocked the fashion world (remember they asked her to be Artistic Director? Lame-o.)
So when I bumped into the teensy designer at Philippe, I was over-the-moon. It brought back sentiments of sheer joy, youth and the very sake as to why I write:
I love Miami with a huge hunk of my heart and adore shining light on its magical finds, like Esteban.
Esteban tells me he is currently living and working in Paris on his eponymous line. And he’s quite content being his own boss. Take that, LiLo.