Shut Up Project Runway, Miamians Can Cut It

via Gen Art

To hear the cast of Project Runway tell it, South Florida is the worst-dressed area in the world.

“Oh, that looks like something my aunt in Boca would wear.”

“Ew, that dress is so South Beach.”

“She’s like a Fort Lauderdale cocktail waitress.”

Uh, whatever. That's just an increasingly irrelevant reality show. Miami’s paid its fashion dues. Besides we not only claimed Gianni Versace as a part-time resident; we also gave the world Lazaro Hernandez, one half of the team behind Proenza Schouler and a 2007 CFDA Womenswear Designer of the Year award winner; then there's Esteban Cortezar, the 24-year-old wunderkind who’s in charge at Emanuel Ungaro.

Handbag designer Katherine Flemming hopes to join them on the Miami-bred fashion all star team, and maybe replace that old counterfeit Louise on your arm. The 29-year-old recently launched her own line of bags, which has earned blog buzz from both Gen-Art and New York. She tells Gen-Art that her best source of inspiration is the Miami Beach condo she grew up in.

Her launch collection is inspired by the Warhol, Hockney and Stella works that lined the walls of her parent's house in Miami Beach, while her muses are equally close to home. "The women in my family influence me the most," she explains. "My mother and grandmothers are so chic and have very different styles, so my aesthetic is a combination of all three."

The bags will be available at select Barney’s store, as well as on her website.

--Kyle Munzenrieder