Best friends and partners Willow Shambeck and Melixa Carbonell opened Shou'Ture 18 months ago in a town they saw as hungry for something more than department store shoes.
"We couldn't find anyplace where you could buy the not-every-day kind of shoe," says Carbonell. "We wanted to carry unique shoes."
Their store is one of two in Florida to carry the Hollywould line. It's also one of only two in the U.S. (the first is Henri Bendel in N.Y.C.) to carry designs from Constanca Basto, a new Brazilian designer. Their customers don't blink at the price tag, says Carbonell, because "it's not like you'll see your shoes on a lot of others." A pair of Hollywoulds runs from $200 to $600; Constanca Bastos range from $250 to $500.
Shou'Ture also offers pedicures to customers who spend $250 or more.
The owners plan a different theme every month. Champagne, wine and martinis are staples. This month's theme: St. Pedi's Day, with a homemade aloe (green) sugar scrub and apple (green) martini.
Off the Clock
Activewear is leaving the gym and going practically everywhere but back to the office. Miami-based Blue Fish Activewear rang up sales of more than $3 million last year with its stylish body-hugging workout gear. What makes the line so popular? The material, says Beatriz Guerra, vice president and daughter of the company's founders, and the fit. Blue Fish uses the best type of Supplex, DuPont's latest high-tech fabric, which makes the clothing a bit pricier than your average sweats. A spaghetti-strap tank top runs about $58; drawstring waistband workout pants about $85.
The company has four stores in south Florida -- in Miami, Coconut Grove, Boca Raton and Aventura -- and sells its activewear online at bluefishactivewear.com. It recently opened stores in Mexico and has inked a deal with Nordstrom.
Entrepreneur Afoot
Caryn Grossman hadn't meant to go into business. She arrived at the University of Central Florida to see her oldest off to college. She was wearing a pair of attention-grabbing flip-flops she had designed and found herself taking orders from people she'd come across.
Grossman credits friend Kathy Bronstein, former CEO of clothing company Wet Seal, for mentoring her. Clearwater-based, she recently hired a Miami sales representative and has accounts at Bal Harbour Shops and several stores in Naples, Indian Rocks Beach and Tampa. Grossman will custom-design anything, but her latest styles are made with silk roses, great for beach weddings, she says, or shaggy fun fur.
Hot Designers
Rachel Goldberger, vice president and divisional merchandising manager of designer sportswear at Neiman Marcus in Dallas, says among Florida designers, Etro, Dolce & Gabbana, Prada, Roberto Cavalli, Ralph Lauren and Michael Kors are worth keeping an eye on.
Some new lines coming to Florida stores this spring include Moda Fuzzi, great prices, novelty mesh and jersey items, and Temperly London, beautiful, sophisticated, feminine, Goldberger says.