Boutique public relations firm Scene PR and beauty and fashion Web site BeautyChronicles.com, headed by blogger Iris Gomez, celebrated their new event partnership with a shopping night at the Catalina Hotel and Beach Club on Thursday. The companies' principals forged the partnership after nearly three years working on events separately.
"We've been working together with me as Iris's publicist, and we just thought that with her experience as a fashion blogger and mine in fashion PR, we would combine our love for these types of events, our relationships with designers and boutiques, and host our own event," said Scene PR president Ysset Boan.
The team brought in 16 local clothing, accessories, and beauty vendors to showcase and sell their wares at the party, which attracted nearly 400 people to the hotel’s Dorset building lobby area. In addition to shopping, guests could also get makeup and hair touch-ups from XES Cosmetics and Control Salon. DJ Anthony Pisano performed from his booth in the far corner of the lobby throughout the five-hour event. Local musician Black Dada performed a 15-minute concert later in the evening.
A selection of the higher end vendors like Francoise Elizée handbags and Gena's Gems Fine Jewelry and Accessories displayed their goods on the hotel’s rooftop pool deck, which was converted into a V.I.P. lounge for the more than 200 attendees who purchased $20 tickets.
“We wanted to host something different from the other shopping events in Miami,” said Boan. “We wanted to keep it a bit more upscale and have activities throughout the night for our V.I.P.s.” The rooftop lounge also hosted a fashion show by designer Petit Pois. Barefoot Wines, Café Bustelo, Sobieski Vodka, and Lorina Sparkling Soda sponsored the night’s beverages.