local designer romina heighes talks to miami nice

Romina Heighes is a Miami designer with great taste. She's worked with Michael Kors, Marc Jacobs, Carolina Herrera- that's right, some serious names. Romina talks to miami nice about not-matching, wearing color, chunky necklaces and, as always, what's nice and not.

Let's talk a little bit about Miami fashion. Everyone has a different take on it, what's yours? What's nice and what's not? 
Hmmm...Miami fashion. Everyone definitely has a different take on it.
When I think of Miami fashion, I think of clothing you can take from day to night. For example, a pair of skinny pants with a frilly blouse and flats for the day... keep some heels in your car to change into and pair it all off with some chunky accessories from Miss Pepper before heading out! You also need to consider the heat with Miami fashion... breezy, light pieces that one can keep cool in all day. The heat can be unbearable sometimes so I love to have a big range of dresses for all occasions. Bright colors! Lots and lots of bright colors! Not in a tacky way, but even if you are wearing a black ensemble... I feel its a MUST (especially in Miami) to pair it off with bright shoes OR a colorful clutch.

As for my not nice... I am anti matching!!! Its a definite DONT when people wear (for example) red shoes, a red clutch, and red earrings or something along those lines. No no no. If you have a multi colored clutch and you pull one of the less dominant colors to choose your shoe color, its o.k.

 

Are you ever inspired by the tacky, the terrible and the ultra-hysterical that's inevitable on an average day here?

Absolutely! The terrible tackiness in Miami could be so great sometimes! Creating your own style with a twist of tacky is funky...If you do it right.
I know you worked in New York and lived in the Dominican Republic, Venezuela and you're back in Miami. Why? What were some of the big differences style-wise in each place?

I have lived in many different cities and countries, all of which inspire me today. I take a lot from all of The different cultures. I am back in Miami because I LOVE MIAMI...I need to be near the ocean, its calming and inspirational as well. Style-wise... In South America people dress very funky and edgy, I love that they do their own thing. In Miami...sometimes (and forgive me for saying this) people dress too alike. If something is "in style," everyone is wearing it within a week. People don't take too many risks with fashion here. .. I would love to see more of that! I feel its getting way better though, Miami is quickly growing in the fashion and art world! In New York, everyone has their own take on fashion and style...everyone wants to be different, but too many people wear too much black!

I want every single one of your big chunky necklaces, any ideas for fun ways to wear them this summer? 

I LOVE the chunky necklaces! They're great to wear with everything. I really like wearing them with a nice t-back tank, a pair of pants and wedges or some short shorts with a nice blouse and blazer. Even with a dress for a cocktail party...its definitely a great day to night item!

 

 

Have you spotted any interesting trends this summer? What should every Miami girl add to her wardrobe this summer?

Shorts! All kinds of shorts...show off those legs ladies! I have these really amazing lime green linen shorts in my current collection...I carry them in many colors but those are my favorite. My newest obsession is the infinity dress. The dress can be worn in endless amount of ways...great for your summer travels!

Are there any other Miami-bred designers you think we should know about? 

Yes! Eduardo de las Casas..he is an incredible Miami-based designer that I have worked with at Miami Fashion Week a couple of times. He won emerging designer of the year the year before I did..he is also from Peru! His collections are very beautiful and elegant

 

contact romina heighes for her totally to-die-for, mucho Miami, ridiculously wearable stuff at  info@rominaheighes.com.