Photos by Mark Cubbedge
Just in time for the holidays, St. Augustine Fashion Week gave area fashionistas a sneak peak of what’s to come in the upcoming year, and, at the same time, solved one of the holiday party season’s conundrums: “What am I going to wear? I don’t have a thing!”
If you’re looking for that drop-dead gorgeous, knock-out gown or, if you’re a guy looking for a dress shirt or entire suit that makes the ladies do a double take, the local designers, retail shops and malls of Northeast Florida have just what you’re looking for…with an added plus: you’re keeping it local. Whether outfitting yourself for that night out or looking to wow someone special with a gift of fabulous fashion, making the decision to purchase from any one of these designers or retail stores helps your holiday dollars support the economy of Northeast Florida. What’s not to love about that?
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FULANI HANDBAGS
Beautifully structured purses with colorful, bright fabric, and dyed leather which adds another level of class to any ensemble are Fulani Handbags trademark. Designer Souadou Barry’s innovative, timeless, yet eclectic, brand continues to evolve.
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BINE AND BAS
For the guys, Bine and Bas’ bright colors and cuff inserts compliment the flash seen in the checks of their signature men’s shirts. No matter what the occasion, the Jacksonville-based shirt designer makes choosing the “perfect shirt” a breeze.
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ERIN HEALY
As usual, showstopper Erin Healy puts the “D” in drama with her collection, which included a stunning red velvet gown worn by local-girl-turned-New-York-runway-model Victoria Schnock (our “ghost” cover girl for the October issue of OCL) that wowed the sold-out house at the St. Augustine Shipyard.
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MARIA BATISTA
A new name to STAFW, and fashion design in general, Maria Batista Designs’ Latin-influenced attire adds a fun, flirty dimension to New Year’s Eve attire.
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RETAIL THERAPY
For those looking for a “brick-and-mortar” shopping experience, Retail Therapy on Anastasia Island offers the hottest and trendiest attire at approachable and affordable prices. Owner DeAnn Matza also features Short Dog Jewelry in her shop located in the Anastasia Publix Plaza.
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WHISKINI BIKINI AND DEMIN BY EVE
This IS Florida. For every black-tie event, there’s a beach cookout or casual gathering and for those, Whiskini Bikini and Denim by Eve have you, well, covered. (They also make great gifts too!)
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ST. AUGUSTINE PREMIUM OUTLETS
For those looking for national retailers, the St. Augustine Premium Outlet Mall has every store and style imaginable…and don’t forget about the kids this Holiday! They like to play dress up just as much as the adults do!
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SHORT DOG JEWELRY
Short Dog Jewelry designer Sara LaPlante takes accessorizing up a notch this season with necklaces that connect to chains which drape and accentuate the body in ways that our sleepy little hamlet has not seen before. LaPlante combines delicate gold and silver links with gem stones, natural pearls, and chunky, more bold chains for innovative, fragile-yet-edgy, signature pieces sure to create a buzz.
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