Latin Grammys

By Nycole Sariol Trying to stake your claim within the Miami fashion scene is no walk in the park, and especially when it comes to launching your own brand. Limited access to quality yet inexpensive fabrics is made near impossible to find; well-thought out design concepts hard to come across; and of course, who can forget, the grueling pressure of your neighboring competitors, all elbowing to snag the same spotlight of recognition. But for the 22 year-old Miami native and founder of local, contemporary brand Style Mafia, Simonett Pereira is the head of the fashion mob – or rather mafia. “We just got a bunch of new stuff, like fifty new pieces,” says the iced-blonde, style vixen while juggling curating a photo shoot for the cover of a Colombian magazine, keeping tally of stylist pulls, and lunging through box-loads of fresh, new merchandise. Although the fashion realm is where Pereira breathes easiest these days, it was publications and event coordinating that led her to an inevitable fate as shop owner and style peacemaker. Places like 944 Magazine and big time event firms provided the experience that she required, but not the artistic satisfaction that she in fact craved. “I’m a networker,” she proudly confirms. But it wasn’t until the youngling turned to blogging that which filled the hallowed void Simonett was desperate to find. “There were these sporadic stylists, bloggers, and designers that were dispersed throughout Miami and I wanted to bring them all together.” And so it was – the birth of Style Mafia – a platform where 305 and 786 patrons of the fashion-obsessed variety could showcase their talent through exclusive productions like photo shoots and video blogs. While Pereira was focused on bringing inspiration to the Magic City through her blog, she was also catering to the retail-holics via mobile app Poshmark, selling pieces from her very own closet. “I finally got to the point where I would sell up to 60 items in a week!”And then, a light-bulb moment evinced from a suppressed idea was released, allowing Style Mafia to evolve from blog to brand.“I wanted something really different,” states Pereira about her contemporary womenswear line dedicated to all things, mesh, clean-cut, and embroidery. But for Pereira, sending a message out into her community is not just about textiles and drapery, it’s about making a grand entrance, ergo the opening of her Wynwood boutique in December of last year. “The outside was covered in graffiti; there was blue carpet that was ridden of humidity; it had slate walls and it smelled like death,” she describes her now-gallery inspired boutique kissed by modernity, pre-renovation. “I wish I had a picture to show you,” giggling to herself. The launch of the 3,000 sq. ft. compound gave way to a 55-piece collection and a generous following almost immediately. There, retailers and casual clientele all call Style Mafia home. Today, the brand is carried in over 50 stores worldwide and was spotted at the Latin Grammys and Good Morning America. So what’s next for this already booming brand? “We just re- launched our website and blog!” Simonett squeamishly blurted out. “We also have a fashion film that we are producing next week,” she states. Style Mafia will debut the artful fashion film at a private exposition later this month, collaborating along side local artist, Sabrina Yanguas. “We are doing limited edition accessories in collaboration with Sabrina’s art and my pieces.” “We have a little bit for everyone,” Pereira says, “Style Mafia is a place where you can rediscover your style.” The mob-boss affirms. All images courtesy of Style Mafia. Click here to view this post in the March/April 2014 issue.