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Forbes
7 hours ago
- Business
- Forbes
Miami's Curio Is Making Brick-And-Mortar Retail Exciting Again
Miami Beach, Florida, aerial view, Faena House luxury condominium complex with Collins Avenue Forum, Indian Creek Portugal Tower. (Photo by: Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) In the heart of Miami Beach's Faena District—where fashion and art blur into commerce —Curio has emerged as a powerful case study in adaptive brick-and-mortar experience. Launched in December 2019 by fashion veterans Danielle Licata and Jeff Lasota, the multi-brand concept store is rewriting the rules of experiential shopping against the odds. Curio Co-Founders Jeff Lasota and Danielle Licata 'We never wanted to build just a boutique," Licata, once president of Coterie, one of the largest fashion trade shows in the U.S., explained. "The idea from day one was to build something that would be like a cultural hub—where you'd be able to discover fashion, meet new designers, and be inspired simultaneously." Curio at Faena Bazaar, Miami Beach Store began as a pop-up outside Miami Swim Week. 'It was going to be temporary,' Licata said. 'But we did wonderful business and realized there was demand for something more curated and interactive.' That pop-up led to a year-long lease at the Faena Bazaar to create a multi-brand store. Then the pandemic hit. The duo's timing could have been disastrous. They shuttered Curio's physical doors in March 2020, but then quickly adapted. 'We decided to take the store on the road during COVID,' she said. 'We went to New Jersey, New York—wherever we saw that our customers were coming from to Miami.' That move was not only tactical—it ultimately seeded customer loyalty in direct, key markets that continue to benefit them today. Curio's success is also impossible to detangle from Miami's overall cultural renaissance. The arts sector contributes over $2.1 billion annually to the local economy and supports over 31,000 jobs. Art Basel alone brings in 90,000 global visitors each year, with the majority being a very fashion-friendly crowd. By the time the duo reopened a brick-and-mortar store six months later, Miami had become one of the pandemic's hottest relocation destinations, drawing with it even more wealth, commerce, and fashion tastemakers from around the world. Curio rode that wave with surgical precision. The store's success is also impossible to detangle from Miami's overall cultural renaissance. The arts sector contributes over $2.1 billion annually to the local economy and supports over 31,000 jobs. Art Basel alone brings in 90,000 global visitors each year, with the majority being a very fashion-friendly crowd. People look at artwork during the 22nd edition of Art Basel at the Convention Center in Miami Beach, Florida, on December 6, 2024. (Photo by Giorgio VIERA / AFP) (Photo by GIORGIO VIERA/AFP via Getty Images) Curio taps into this energy with deliberate strategy. "You're going from having the biggest tennis tournament one week, then an art fair the next week, and then suddenly there's a music festival," Licata said. "We go out of our way to be part of it all." At its core, Curio retail experience, similar to most multi-brand stores, is about discovery. That means not only curating heritage brands like Marni and Zimmerman, but also one-of-a-kind, emerging designers. It's this balance between the familiar and the surprising that drives visitors and sales. 'Established brands get people in, but emerging brands push them to the checkout,' Licata notes. And it's not just women's wear that is selling well, 'our male customers are buying more—and wisely so,' said Licata. 'Once we get them in a fitting room, they're shopping. They want to feel put together.' Rich the Kid at Curio This incubator spirit is central to Curio's business model. Licata and Lasota don't just stock names—they also mentor and develop designers, often helping international labels make their U.S. debuts, helping them adapt to the American tastes. Between them, they have a 360-degree view of the fashion world: Lasota held leadership roles at Stella McCartney, Belstaff, Yeezy, VFiles, and Johanna Ortiz, while Licata is credited with reinvigorating Coterie and still works closely with brands and influencers around the world. Curio also eschews the usual trend-chasing. 'We believe in trends, but we don't believe in changing the identity of the person,' Licata said. 'Barbiecore, for instance, can be interpreted across styles—from the minimal girl to the sexy girl to the bohemian in a hot-pink kaftan.' This lens helps customers shop more intentionally and hold onto pieces longer—a type of thoughtful shopping that Curio champions. 'We only have one sale a year—and it's for charity,' Licata added. 'Otherwise, we treat a piece with respect.' The store also partners with designers to upcycle deadstock materials into unique new garments, creating fresh inventory while reducing waste. Beyond the product, what sets Curio apart is its immersive brick-and-mortar experience. The space itself—inside the artistically driven Faena Bazaar—functions like a curated gallery, blending shopping with visual storytelling. Beyond the product, what sets Curio apart is its immersive brick-and-mortar experience. The space itself—inside the artistically driven Faena Bazaar—functions like a curated gallery, blending shopping with visual storytelling. Collaborations with Miami Music Week's Breakaway Festival or exhibitions tied to artists like David LaChapelle and John Galliano further blur the lines between fashion and art. Case in point, Curio recently elevated Breakaway's festival merchandise from standard tees to fashion-forward embroidered cabana shirts. 'They went fashion, and we went younger,' Licata explained. 'That sort of synergy is why we are still culturally relevant.' As global travel has resumed, Curio continues to benefit—thanks in part to Miami's status as a leisure mecca. 'People may not spend as freely at home,' Licata said, 'but when they're on vacation, they want experiences.' Fashion influencers at Curio Despite the challenges of building and running a luxury retail business during turbulent times, Licata's passion hasn't dimmed. 'It's not as glamorous as people think. After 20 appointments in Paris, we look like we got hit by a truck,' she laughed. 'But when someone finds something meaningful for a special moment—a wedding, a first date—that's the real reward.' In an age of the click-through-retail, Curio is a rare brick-and-mortar gem that can still surprise and delight. And for a parting advice for those seeking to repeat Curio's success Licata suggests to 'stay curious and stay plugged in.' 'Discover the overlap between who you are and what your clients and community wants. That's where the business magic happens.'
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Travel + Leisure
11-05-2025
- Travel + Leisure
I'm a Plus-size Travel Writer, and These Are the 10 Budget-friendly Clothes I Pack on Every Trip—From $9
Having the right travel outfit is essential; no matter what type of trip you're taking or where your destination is, it's important to pack a wardrobe that's comfortable, fun to wear, suitable for the weather, and flattering to enhance your confidence. After much trial and error as a plus-size travel writer who is often on the go, I discovered some great pieces from Amazon's fashion hub that are just right for traveling in the spring and summer. From a striped summer dress to pull-on travel pants, these are the versatile travel plus-size clothing essentials I find myself packing again and again. No matter where your summer travels are going to take you, you can't go wrong with these must-have pieces. These eye-catching pants are flowy and dressy. With an elastic high waist and drawstring, they always fit just right, and they have a loose, wide-leg design. Pair them with a crop top to create a summery, casual style. Alternatively, wear them with a solid, black button-down shirt for a business lunch or dinner. And, perhaps best of all, they have pockets to hold your essentials to go hands-free at the airport. With its lace, scooped neck, this striking tank top is casual with pizzazz. I love its loose, flattering fit and breathable, soft fabric; it's perfect to wear traveling on a hot summer day. If you love to layer, it makes a great bottom layer under a cardigan or jean jacket if it's on the chillier side. This shirt is elegant and will elevate any look, pairing well with shorts, jeans, or capri pants. I love matching sets because they work as one outfit or can be mixed and matched. This matching set is available in neutrals like black, khaki, and apricot, plus bold colors like hot pink and royal blue to suit any style. It's extremely comfortable with its lightweight material and four-way stretch. The short-sleeve, crewneck top is loose, and the pull-on pants are comfortable and have pockets. It's great to wear on flights, but it's so comfortable you might want to also wear the set as pajamas. A jean jacket is just right for the summer. You never know when temperatures might dip, especially at night, and this denim jacket can offer just enough warmth to keep you comfortable on cooler evenings. It has a collared neckline and a button-up front, plus decorative front pockets and fully functional side pockets. In addition to the traditional denim hue, this jacket also comes in fun colors like pink and purple. It can make a fashion statement in other ways: I decorate mine with pins that have different messages and images on them. Sometimes a comfy jumper is the best choice for a day of sightseeing or just relaxing at the hotel (one of my favorite travel activities). This overall-style jumpsuit looks cute and is flattering to all. Because it's made of polyester, it doesn't wrinkle easily, so you can just throw it in your suitcase and take it out when you arrive without worrying about ironing. I love that it comes with so many different color options and patterns to suit any style. There's a great sale on this Hanes shirt that's one of my favorite tops to wear when flying. Although I enjoy dressing up and wearing sparkles casually, I want to keep things simple and optimally comfortable when I'm flying. Made of 100 percent cotton and available in five simple colors, it's a comfortable, casual shirt I can wear anywhere. This shirt pairs well with leggings or jeans on travel days, or you can dress it up with a blazer or a skirt. Whether I'm going on a short or long trip, a comfortable pair of jeans always makes its way into my suitcase. These Levi jeans have been top on my list lately—they have stretch for comfort and are easy to pack without getting wrinkled. They fit so well that I feel more confident when I wear them. And at just $25, they're a total steal; grab them in another huge like sage green or a darker blue wash. I try to always have a wrap with me when I fly, especially if I'm wearing short sleeves. For me, a shawl is an essential part of layering during the warmer months of the year because it's so easy to take on and off. This wrap resists wrinkles, so sometimes I just throw it in my backpack if I'm on a flight and realize I don't need it. It comes in a wide variety of colors, including pastels and darker colors. I especially love the shawl's flexible design: wear it open or pulled closed. If you're looking for chic, casual tops for the summer, consider this bold, blue shirt. I love that it has fun touches like a ruffled V-neck and gathered sleeves, and it has a soft fabric that feels good against the skin. Plus, it's perfect for warm-weather travel because it's lightweight, and it doesn't wrinkle easily, so it can save you time on ironing. These lightweight cargo joggers are lightweight and breathable, making them ideal for travel days. The elastic waist and adjustable drawcord are convenient features if your weight fluctuates like mine does. They have two side zipper pockets and a right-hip zipper pocket for safely storing valuables like your phone or wallet. The UPF 50+ and water-resistant fabric also make them the perfect hiking pants or for lounging on the beach when you don't plan to swim. Here's a comfortable dress that's stylish and always seems to inspire joy when I wear it. I love the classic A-line style with a V-neck and loose, short sleeves. I recommend sizing up because it seems to run small, and the fabric doesn't have a lot of stretch. It is lightweight and wrinkle-resistant, too, so I love that I can easily pack it, and it will be ready to wear when I get to my destination. It's a great dress for resorts, in particular, where it can be worn to a nice dinner yet also by the pool during the day. Ready to have the summer of peace, love, and understanding? This fun, floral peace sign shirt gives off those vibes. I love the peace sign design and matching stripes at the bottom of the long sleeves. The pullover shirt is lightweight and soft, but it can keep you warm on cold flights. If you like layering but don't want anything too heavy, this is a great option to wear over sleeveless summer tops. This colorful, striped dress just screams 'summer fun' to me. It has a feminine style with its frilly sleeves and high waist, plus a lightweight, slightly stretchy design. The wrinkle-resistant material is key so it easily unfolds to offer a ready-to-wear, pulled-together look. Depending on how you style it, it could be dressed up for date night or worn casually with a pair of sneakers. When traveling to beach destinations and other spots where you'll be spending lots of time in the sun, protective clothing is a must. I love that this rash guard shirt looks like a regular shirt I can wear anywhere, but it also functions as a swimsuit top. It is made of a stretchy, wrinkle-resistant material, and it's comfortable to wear with its four-way stretch. It comes in a variety of colors and patterns. More importantly, the shirt offers UPF 50+ protection, so it helps protect you from the sun's harmful UVA and UVB rays every time you wear it. Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week.
