A peek inside “An Affair to Remember,”
Bal Harbour Shops’ first short film

Directed by Andres Oyuela, “An Affair to Remember” stars Karolina Kurkova and Arthur Kulkov as a couple caught in a sultry tale of mistaken identity, with a twist.

With this campaign, we wanted to emphasize the emotional connection our guests have with Bal Harbour Shops. There is something romantic about our picturesque tropical enclave of luxury that has wooed generations of shoppers for 60 years. There’s an affinity for the Shops that goes far beyond the cache of coveted luxury boutiques and buzzing restaurants. It’s a destination because of that connection, and we’ve come out and said it: it’s truly a love affair.

Like any great film, our short is loaded with symbolism and iconography. If you frequent the Shops, you’ll no doubt recognize much of the content captured in these scenes. So, we invite you to delve deeper as we distill some of the key moments from “An Affair to Remember,” from dazzling diamonds to awkward silences, and what’s going on with all those notes?

Inside the Scene: The Restaurant

The story begins with our male lead, played by Arthur Kulkov, anxiously checking his Bulgari watch, swirling his wine, waiting for his date who should have been there by now. He catches a glimpse of her embracing another man, smiling, delighted even. Could she be having an affair?

Enter our lead, played by Karolina Kurkova, wearing a custom Silvia Tcherassi gown. She joins her husband, with a note clutched underneath her classic Chanel 11.12 bag. But just who is it from?

Inside the Scene: The Love Notes

We first encounter The Love Note at the start of the film, and it’s the through line that drives the plot forward—and our male protagonist crazy. She receives 10 notes over the course of the film, each one leaving her giddy, even flushed with delight. What’s the story behind this flirtatious exchange?

Visiting Bal Harbour Shops is more than shopping, it’s a sensory experience. The Love Note is a symbol of that emotional connection and may come in the form of a spontaneous delivery of flowers, an invitation to sip Champagne at one of the shops or enjoy a scoop of gelato in the Center Courtyard just because it’s Wednesday. It’s the carefully curated coloring book for your little ones, the tiny boxes of koi and turtle food just in case you wanted to tend to our pond friends.

There’s no set agenda for Love Notes; it’s just a little token of our affection for you.

Inside the Scene: The Diamonds

About halfway through the film, we slow down as Kurkova tries on a stunning, one-of-kind diamond necklace from Graff, which she lovingly strokes; studs sparkle from her ears. The diamonds in “An Affair to Remember,” all courtesy of Graff, are significant for several reasons. It’s our Diamond Anniversary, of course, and what affair is complete without the exchange of some jewelry? But also, the brands at Bal Harbour Shops are a concentration of the world’s most celebrated houses, offering the most coveted jewels. Today, 20 fine jewelry and watch brands hold court at Bal Harbour Shops; a dazzling collection indeed, and the precious pieces tucked inside those glimmering cases represent milestones, birthdays, goals achieved, and dreams still to come.

Inside the Scene: The Arrival

In this scene, Kulkov pulls up in a palm green Bently, a color chosen intentionally to tie-in with the green tones long associated with Bal Harbour Shops, paying homage to its lush landscape and palm framed corridors.

Not only is the arrival scene the climax of the film—the dashing young man setting out to find the interloper who’s sending his wife love notes—but it also places one of the Shops’ most iconic visual elements at center stage. The porte-cochère is the arrival moment designed 60 years ago, that is still as impactful today.

Inside the Scene: The Run-in

Our story comes to its dramatic close. The two collide, and what’s revealed? A love note that reads “It was love at first visit.” This message is a wink to a 1960s ad with the tagline: “It’s love at first sight of Bal Harbour Shops.”

It is at that moment that our male protagonist realizes the notes weren’t from a secret paramour… If only he knew that all he had to do was share her with Bal Harbour Shops.

The Cast

Supermodel Karolina Kurkova has graced the runways of every major fashion house, collaborated with the most legendary designers, and appeared on countless magazine covers. She was also the youngest model to feature on all four major Vogue covers.

Model Arthur Kulkov counts numerous covers to his credit, including GQ and Details. He also walks for numerous houses, was the face of Dolce & Gabbana for several seasons, and has featured prominently in numerous campaigns and editorials.

The characters were styled to reflect the energy of Bal Harbour Shops: classic, natural, understated beauty that need not shout to be seen. Among the brands worn are custom Silvia Tcherassi, Stella McCartney, Ferragamo, jewelry from Graff, Tiffany & Co, and Vhernier, and a Bulgari timepiece.