Cesar Rosario
It has only been a year and half since Cesar Rosario, 37, hit Miami’s fashion scene. He is originally from Puerto Rico where he began his career as a wedding dress designer. With his fi rst appearance at Miami International Fashion Week, Rosario is focusing on ready-towear with designs that are soft and fl uid. “I love to use silk and charmeuse. I want the clothes to be styles that women can actually wear,” says Rosario.

Design Inspiration:“I am inspired by exotic and wild things. I love places like Africa.”

Type of Woman you Want to Wear your Clothes:“My wife is my muse. I design for women who want a professional look but also want to look sexy. These women always look good and fresh.”

Genie silk jumper with ruffl es, $225; gold plated,
turquoise, smoky quartz and leather knot necklace, $295 and bracelet, $150 by amaloa Fashion Jewelry; gold plated, turquoise and smoky quartz ring, $95 by amaloa Fashion Jewelry

Romina Heighes
For Romina Heighes, 26, her love of fashion began as a little girl as she began making dresses out of bed sheets and doing runway shows for her parents. "As I got older my friends always asked me for advice on how to dress and what to wear. I was the one who took a T-shirt, cut it up and made it into something else," she says. Heighes truly enjoys the process of designing. "Each garment is a work of art and I want everyone to look at it twice."

Design Inspiration: "I love to travel and see all the diff erent people and communities. I get a lot of inspiration from my travels. I also do a lot of hand embroidery which is inspired by botanicals and gardens."

Type of Woman you Want to Wear your Clothes: "I like working with women who like to dress well. I like women who like to travel. I like women who are elegant but can also be casual."

Navy silk chiff on blouse with bow tie detail and sky blue print cotton sateen pants, prices upon request; shoes by Christian louboutin.

Claudia Estrada
Although she always wanted to be a designer, it took Claudia Estrada, 32, quite a while to follow her passion. She initially got close to fashion when she opened a boutique in Miami. For four years, Estrada helped dress women in other people’s designs. In 2007 she decided it was time and launched her own line. "My designs are very classic but with a twist. They aren’t trendy but are of the moment. I use a lot of color. I love metallics and silks," she says. Estrada’s favorite part of the design process is going to get the fabrics. "Once I have the fabric, I get my tear sheets and sketches and begin putting together the concepts for my next collection." Design Inspiration:"If I see something that could become a print that is when my inspiration starts. I like color. I start with the print and get the fabric made. Once I have the fabric then I know what I want to do. Everything comes from the fabric."
Type of Woman you Want to Wear your Clothes: "I
want women who can put their own look together. They don’t want to look like the pages in a magazine but want to look like themselves. They know how to make clothes personal. They are very fashion savvy."

left: Bronze metallic silk jacket, $290; black and silver metallic brocade skirt, $180. right: Striped light and dark grey washed silk dress, $190

Nicolas Felizola
For the fi rst half of his career, Nicolas Felizola, 44, worked as a fashion photographer. it was actually a Mexican singer who he photographed who got him out from behind the camera. She asked him to find something she could wear on the red carpet. When he couldn’t fi nd anything he liked, he decided to design the dress himself. Felizola started his own collection in 2003. today Felizola designs everything from dresses to jewelry to eyewear to makeup to swimsuits. this summer he is launching a men’s collection. "My designs are pure and simple with a touch of sexiness. i hate vulgarity. it is very important for women to leave some things to the imagination," says Felizola.

French black Piallette dress, $5500.