Sports Cars to Sunglasses
McLaren is into much more than its famed high-performance sports cars these days. The British maker behind this year’s 600LT Spider and McLaren GT automobiles also introduced men’s and women’s eyewear. It partnered with a venerable French optical manufacturer for McLaren DNA-infused optical frames and sunglasses, which can be fitted with prescription lenses as well. Face-scanning technology and 3D-printed titanium frames deliver optimum customization, while wearers can also choose from five types of Leica Eyecare sun lenses. Each is treated with AquaDura Vision anti-reflective, hydrophobic and oleophobic coating and then tweaked depending on end use from skiing to golf. Graduated tinting accentuates road contrasts for driving lenses, for example, whereas outdoors and yachting lenses feature a polarizing filter and mirror finish. The wide selection comes in an array of finishes and colors including the brand’s signature orange. The debut offers three groups: Core, Premium and Bespoke. Styles range from rimmed to rimless to floating, and all have flexible hinges and comfortable arms. The inaugural collection is available exclusively in South Florida at Edward Beiner’s multiple boutique locations such as Palm Beach Gardens, Boca Raton and Coral Gables. It’s a great addition to one’s summer wardrobe, not to mention a delightful gift for sports car enthusiasts, sportsmen of all kinds and style setters everywhere.
Memphis Moment
Need to kill some time between appointments in the Miami Design District? Pop into the Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami’s highly-touted exhibit about the founder of the Memphis Group design movement in the Eighties. On view through October 6, “Ettore Sottsass and the Social Factory,” presents a survey of the late Milan-based architect and designer’s works. The multimedia overview covers his iconic furniture that defined an era and inspired several other designers of the collective, as well as conceptual photography and drawings. Its title’s “social” link draws from his postwar philosophy regarding the impact of design on contemporary life and his oeuvre’s marriage of function and aesthetics. Through dozens of works divided into four sections, the curators also strive to analyze the various cultural environments that affected his creations.
61 NE 41st Street; 305.901.5272; Click here
Bigger & Better
As Bal Harbour Shops prepares to add a greater assortment of stores to its third level like Le Labo fragrances, several of the center’s existing retailers are renovating and expanding. Brunello Cucinelli, a long-time favorite for its Italian fashion collections for men and women, opened a new 4,000-square-foot location with a fireplace and lounge. Born from cashmere sweaters, the privately-held company nestled in the Umbrian hillside has grown into a full line for exquisite ready to wear, outerwear, accessories and shoes. Fall shows ribbed knits, corduroy velvet and nappa leather in interesting pieces from cargo pants to reversible trench coats. Escada also revealed its new global concept store in nearly 2,000 square feet. Creative director Niall Sloan took inspiration from the locale’s Art Deco heritage and ocean blue backdrop yet also from faraway Tokyo by referencing the Nezu Museum’s ancient gold-leaf scripture.
9700 Collins Avenue; 305.864.4833; brunellocucinelli, 305.867.9283; escada.
Colson’s Coming
Bookworms take note: the Adrienne Arsht Center’s Knight Concert Hall is the sole stop in the Sunshine State for Colson Whitehead’s international book tour. It makes sense that the New York-based, bestselling author should visit here on July 26 courtesy of Books & Books, since his latest novel “The Nickel Boys” is about a particularly dark chapter in Florida history. He’ll spend the evening reading excerpts and sharing insight into his research and process with the audience. It’s rare that a writer as accomplished as Whitehead comes to the area. In addition to winning the 2017 Pulitzer Prize for fiction and the 2016 National Book Award for “The Underground Railroad,” he has received a MacArthur Fellowship and a Guggenheim Fellowship. Reserve here
1300 Biscayne Boulevard; 305.949.6722; Click here
We’ll see you next week with even more of South Florida’s places to go!