FASHION SPOTLIGHT
Store's clients come back for bargains
HOT PICKS
Bloom Store, 1108 15th St., Miami Beach; 305-604-0115What we love: Green espadrille wedges by Michael Antonio; $24Why: Forget the gladiator sandals, these shoes are still one of the must-haves of the season. Plus, they'll make you look five inches taller.What: Halter dress by Sole Mio; $39Why we love it: Its length makes it the ideal summer frock to wear to lunch on Lincoln Road.What: Black and white peasant blouse by Hot and Delicious, $34 Why: Matches perfectly with your brightly hued skinny jeans and shorts.BY ANNIE VAZQUEZ
Special to The Miami Herald
Sandwiched between a Papa John's pizza and a coin laundry, Bloom Store is the perfect shop for the trendsetter on a budget.
''It's been very easy for me to get clients because of my prices,'' says store owner Luz Marie Suarez, who hails from Medellín, Colombia. ''There really isn't any place on the beach with these types of prices,'' she adds.
Everything from apparel to accessories in the 700-square-foot South Beach store sells between $18-$49.
While you won't find well known designer labels on the racks, the 9-month-old store boasts an eclectic mix of clothing in the latest styles of the season.
There are sexy, long, flowy dresses such as a Crystal Candy flower-print gown. Short, summery frocks like a Cleo tube dress come in an assortment of bright hues. As for casual and evening tops, Bloom carries everything from T-shirts to striped tanks to sexy tunics with plunging backs from brands like Do & Be. An array of bottoms to pair them with includes For Me jeans, shorts and skirts.
Dotted across the shelves are faux leather purses and totes. Flip flops, platforms and scintillating high heels pepper wall ledges and the shop's floor.
''I've been told I have similar stuff to Forever 21,'' says Suarez, 32. ``But I do have my own unique merchandise like the Colombian bikinis I sell.''
Despite carrying merchandise typically sold at shops that specialize in teen and young women's clothing, Suarez describes her clientele as mostly women in their 20s to 40s who like to go out to clubs and trendy spots and live in Miami Beach.
''Most of them come in every week because I constantly have new merchandise,'' she says. ``My clients also prefer to shop at my store, which is close to their home, versus driving to a shopping mall to find similar clothing.''
On a Thursday afternoon, best friends and Miami Beach residents Glorimar Trujillo and Tatiana Munoz, both 28, stop by to chat with Suarez and check out new merchandise.
They each greet her with a kiss on the cheek and head straight to the clothing racks.
''I love these shorts,'' Munoz says, referring to a pair of striped black bermudas. Trujillo gushes over long dresses by Hot and Delicious.
''They are some of my loyal customers,'' Suarez says. ``I love selling clothes for a living. I can't see myself doing anything else.''
Join the discussion
Note: If this is your first time using our NEW commenting system, you will have to LOG OUT and then LOG BACK IN.
The Miami Herald is pleased to provide this opportunity to share information, experiences and observations about what's in the news. Some of the comments may be reprinted elsewhere in the site or in the newspaper. We encourage lively, open debate on the issues of the day, and ask that you refrain from profanity, hate speech, personal comments and remarks that are off point. In order to post comments, you must be a registered user of MiamiHerald.com. Your username will show along with the comments you post. Thank you for taking the time to offer your thoughts.
More Fashion & Beauty Stories
















@Nyx.CommentBody@