HOT PICKS
What: Splurge Studios, 6849 Main St., Miami Lakes, 305-825-5209. www.myspace.com/splurgestudiosmiamiWhat we love: Muzzangbee yellow ''Freedom'' Tattoo T-shirt dress, $89.99Why we love it: Yeah, you're too sexy for this shirt (especially in black fishnets).What: Pink two-piece pleather set, $59.99Why: Because it's something Bret Michaels would like (even if you can't stand those ''Rock of Love'' chicks).What: Geisha T-shirt with slit sleeves, $79.99Why: For the ripped jeans / fluorescent-pink bangles rocker in you.What: Black-studded choker and bow-tie studded belt, $39.99Why: All hail the return of '80s faux leather. For naughty nights at the club.What: Pleated, yellow baby doll dress, $325Why: To match your mimosas at poolside brunches.Can a stripper pole inspire family fun and spiritual epiphanies? Anything's possible at Splurge Studios -- Miami Lakes' new, one-stop vanity shop where clients can get anything from six-inch pumps and an airbrushed tan to an occasional religious tract.
Situated at the Main Street mall, Splurge Studios is an avant-garde shopping experience, just around the corner from former Sen. Bob Graham's office.
The buxom owner, 24-year-old Isabelle Teresa Scott (think: Pamela Anderson meets a young Bette Midler) offers clients a variety of glamour services in a décor that feels like an adult entertainment movie set. A stripper pole takes center stage along with walls draped in trashy lingerie, a few directors' chairs, a pink shag rug, a naughtily dressed window mannequin, Gisele (named after the supermodel) and velvet, leopard-print throw pillows. ''The people here are so uptight,'' said Scott. ``We wanted shake things up -- scandalize and glamorize Main Street.''
Still the venue, which opened a month ago, offers more than pleather two-pieces. There's everything from multifabric corset tops, skull-print bustiers, tie-dye and graphic print halters to silk, pink, leopard-print goddess gowns and pleated baby doll dresses. Accessories include antiquated-looking sun chokers with disco ball earrings, a range of chunky pumps, oversize bags, funky Native American-style belts, slip-on, silicon cleavage enhancers and a kaleidoscope of fake eyelashes -- plain to multi-colored, feathered pieces.
Scott purchases looks from outlets like Yuka Paris Showroom in New York and the Forplay Catalog.
''We're all about bling and animal print,'' Scott said. Prices range from $4 for plain fake eyelashes to $425 for a goddess gown.
The owner, who is half Lebanese and half Haitian, comes from a family business background, helping to run La Patissiere Bakery, the North Miami Haitian bakery known for its cakes and fresh codfish patties. But Splurge Studios reflects her passion for Hollywood and fashion, offering photography, styling and airbrush tattoo, make-up and tanning services. Scott and store manager Elena Delgado do all the airbrushing.
''I just styled Chad Johnson for SET Magazine,'' she said. ``I love making people feel sexy and alive.''
Scott graduated from Miami International University of Art & Design with an associate's degree in fashion design and then got her bachelor's degree in business administration from Nova Southeastern University. But what's most interesting about Scott is that Splurge Studios is more pleasure than business, shock value than shock.
On a recent visit, Scott's mother and grandmother giggled as she tried to master the pole for a photograph. While this was going on, a family friend handed this reporter a religious tract that read: ``This is The Day the Lord Has Made.''
''This is a family store,'' said Scott, as she slid down the pole.
