On December 4th, In celebration of the grand opening of the Elisabetta Franchi boutique in Bal Harbour and the brand’s expansion into the Americas, Founder and Creative Director Elisabetta Franchi and investor and Executive President Marco Bizzarri hosted an exclusive cocktail event, Sotto le Stelle, during Miami Art Basel. Adding to the vibrant energy of the evening, internationally renowned DJ and producer BLOND:ISH delivered a captivating live set. Guests arrived dressed in looks from Elisabetta Franchi’s Spring/Summer 2025 “Femme Paradox” collection. Notable attendees included Taylor Hill, Elisabetta Franchi, Alessandra Ambrosio, Claire Holt, Devon Windsor, Monroe Steele, Paige Lorenze.
A love story. A legacy. An affair to remember.
Coming soon, 09.04.25 | 10:30am EST
For early access, click the link in bio.
What’s in the envelope? Who sent it? All will be revealed in time.
Looking forward to our next encounter.
Love, B.
P.S. Click the link in bio
It’s not trendy; it’s timeless. It’s not of the moment; it’s enduring. Sixty years ago, Bal Harbour Shops debuted an entirely new retail concept—a destination.
It’s our diamond anniversary, and you better believe we’re going to shine bright. Stay tuned as we prepare to celebrate six decades of being unapologetically BHS.
All eyes on Bal Harbour, the little seaside town that proved high fashion could thrive outside of Paris and New York. From the very beginning, founder Stanley Whitman did what no one else would dare to. At a time when open-air luxury retail was unheard of, Bal Harbour Shops set a new standard—combining visionary design, high fashion, and a destination-driven experience. The Shops is a tropical oasis of luxury retail set amongst the palms, where ponds are animated with beloved koi and turtles. Imagine forfeiting revenue-generating square-footage in the name of the client experience? Whitman placed the client first, and that remains his legacy.
By the 1980s, Bal Harbour Shops had become the highest-grossing retail center in the world, proving that high fashion could thrive outside New York and Paris. It redefined the luxury shopping experience, setting the blueprint for future retail destinations and remaining the ultimate symbol of aspirational elegance.
Over the decades, the Shops touted many firsts: the first Neiman Marcus store outside of Texas (1971), the first to house Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus under one roof (1976); when Gucci opened (1977) Bal Harbour Shops was its first “mall” location; and many more boundary-breaking moments.
But, perhaps the feather in the cap moment was in 1984 when, just two weeks after being presented at the Paris collections, 16 leading couture and ready to wear designers—including Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, Lanvin, Dior, Guy Laroche, Courrèges, and Kenzo—presented a fashion show at the inaugural Gala Bal Harbour. This was the first time ever that the collections were shown in the US ahead of being shown in New York. “Move Over New York: Couturiers from France Like Bal Harbour” declared the Wall Street Journal, while another headline declared “Bal Harbour Shops had pulled off one of the biggest coups of the year.”
For more on the history of Bal Harbour Shops click the link in bio.
